2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Death wobble- just experienced it, yowse!

[DLangford]

I know a lot has been written about the death wobble, and I have just done a search and read many of the posts. I just experienced it this weekend and it was scary.



In my case here is what happened. My wife and I were away on a short trip. I was going about 60mph and went over some railroad tracks. The truck then started to shudder violently and seemed to be bouncing, and then slowing down I regained control at about 30-40.

It happened again the next day when I went over some road construction bumps when I was coming home.



Rather than starting to replace everything on the front end, let me give you all what the details are now to try and diagnose what component it might be.



Truck has 70 k miles, 4X4 2500 QC, 6 speed.

On both sides ball joints replaced at 50k, track bar (lukes link) at 55k.

Tires are relatively new Load range E Dunlops. No sign of cupping or unusual wear. There is no appreciable steering wander at speed, and the ONLY time the death wobble occurred was after a serious bump in the road.

Shocks are original. I can't tell externally if they are bad or not.



My plan is this. Have a friend steer back and forth at idle while I am under looking for movement or laxity. Check the ball joints and u joints too.



Should I automatically replace the shocks with the symptoms I experienced? Other suggestions?



Dave

 

[DirtyDodge]

You have probably already heard this, but check your track bar. That was what caused my death wobble. I swapped mine out for a 3rd gen style and have never experienced it again.



I went with the lukes link first, but ended up changing the whole thing out.

 

[DLangford]

When you checked the track bar, was it pretty obvious there was a problem?
Where did you get the 3rd gen set up?

 

[DIESELWRKS]

trac bar conversion

you can get them from Source Automotive Performance Diesel - Home they will meet or beat anyone else on the price.

 

[Dave M]

I had experienced that exact same death wobble scenario as yours about 2 years ago. As was already said, I had noticed the Lukes Link on my TB had about 1/8 inch movement and tightened it and it later loosened again and finally went with 3rd gen SS type TB. You want ZERO movement or its loose.



I replaced lots of stuff until finally I checked the front rotors and replaced them since they were cracked and I assume warped... that was Dec and no problem since. I'd recommend the SS 3rd gen conv bracket SS 3rd gen adj TB, DSS and 3 turn PSC steering box.



Search on my user name and you will find lots.



Good Luck

Dave

 

[DirtyDodge]

When you checked the track bar, was it pretty obvious there was a problem?

Where did you get the 3rd gen set up?

I could not tell by looking at it, I had a severe case of the death wobble. I read all about it here on TDR and had my buddy put on the lukes link. I didn't have the wobble after that, but it felt like I had a little play in the wheel. I decided to go the 3rd gen route and get rid of the whole link. I like this setup, wish I would have got an adjustable one though since I have the leveling kit on my truck.

 

[JR2]

Check your Track bar...

I am not sure about the shocks causing death wobble, but on my 01 the stock shocks where shot at 15K miles... well thats when I changed them, they where probably junk the day the truck was built.

 

[DLangford]

Thanks to all for the posts I have received on this, they help.



Another question, I see mention of the leveling kit. What is the advantage of this kit... does it raise the front up to level with the back? Why is that necessary?



The reason I ask is if I get the 3rd gen trackbar fix, do I need the adjustable TB or not?



My 4X4 is stock and sits pretty high, more than I like in the rear but the fix to lower the rear is so expensive (I missed out on the recall-free repair) that I decided to live with it.

 

[DirtyDodge]

Thanks to all for the posts I have received on this, they help.



Another question, I see mention of the leveling kit. What is the advantage of this kit... does it raise the front up to level with the back? Why is that necessary?



The reason I ask is if I get the 3rd gen trackbar fix, do I need the adjustable TB or not?



My leveling kit raised the front of my pickup up close to the height of the rear of it. It is still slighly lower. When I put heavy weight in it, the rear is quite a bit lower. I like the way it looks better when it is empty, which is most of the time for me. There is no real advantage unless you want larger tires, but I had 285/75-16's on it with no problems before the leveling kit was installed. When you put a stock track bar in with a leveling kit, the axels will be pulled slighly over. If you look at the truck from the front, you can notice that it is not centered. You probably do not need an adjustable track bar unless you do add a leveling kit, but there is not a whole lot of price difference between the two, might as well get the adjustable one if you are going to go that route.



Just my opinion.

 

[DBazley]

D Langford:

It sounds for all the world like the death wobble is related to two main contributory factors: worn out shocks & loose track bar.

I bet it mainly happens on our 4x4's, and not on the 2x Rams.

Think of the chasis dynamics & physics at work: the mighty cummins weighs 990 # dry, or twice the weight of a big block V-8. Serious front end weight.

The springs are seriously strong to support such immense weight. OK, now make the shock dampening capability seriously minimized. (What does a spring do when unrestrained ?)

Now add in a loose joint on the track bar, so that front axle 'float' side to side is maximized. (maybe even your control arm bushings are worn, too, thus adding more side to side play).

Now add in a 60 mph + of road speed, impacting railroad tracks = death wobble !

Kinda all adds up, eh ?

Our trucks need some suspension upgrades. Here's my route:

I got the Rancho 2" leveling kit (their shortest 'lift kit'): 2 anodized Red large spacers (sit on top of springs & look kinda cool), new bump stops and - most importantly, new boxed control arms with Poly bushings.

[After 7 years my front end was sagging an inch or two and this helped, plus the total cost was only about $ 795 installed at ORW in San Diego. This was only marginally more that a local shop wanted to press out the old & install new OEM control arm bushings. ]

I used Luke's Link to rebuild the track bar. Very easy. I don't notice maybe but a slight bit of misalignment on the front axle - 1/4 to 1/2 " tops.

Oh yeah, the Rancho adjustable shocks help tame the springs, too.

I installed the Energy Suspension poly kit for the anti-sway bar - nice improvement in handling.

I was recently told by Spunky's Ram that Energy Suspension now offers retrofit poly bushings for the stock control arms for $ 95. (cheaper by far than a lift kit with new arms)

In 170,000 miles, no death wobble, thank God.

FWIW, wish you well on your fixes,

DBazley

 

[DLangford]

I did my underneath inspections today while turning the steering back and forth with the help of a friend. This is what I found:
1. The Luke's Link track bar kit had loosened up quite a bit, and so there was slop there at the ball joint end.
2. The right tie rod end was slightly worn and I could get abnormal movement at its joint.
3. The steering damper was leaking fluid.
4. The shocks are original at 70k, nothing obvious - but???
My plan of action is this, call Lukes link tomorrow and find out how to tighten it back up... torque, etc. If not able to do it will swap it out with a solid steel 3rd gen to 2nd gen retrofit bracket and track bar. Replace BOTH tie rod ends. Replace steering damper. Replace front shocks with either Bilstein or Rancho. Re-balance the wheels, rotate tires, and re-align truck.
I am hopefully this will do it. Don't want to experience the death wobble anymore!

 

[jdross440]

I never had it until I replaced all the linkage on my 2000 with 1999 linkage. I also replaced the gearbox with the 3 turn unit. I replaced the trackbar with the 2003 type using the solid steel mount. First time I drove it, hit a bump at 60 mph and thought it was going to shake apart. I am scheduled to take it back to the alignment shop tomorrow and if they can't stop it, I may put all the old linkage and track bar back in.

 

[jdross440]

Took back to alignment shop and the left side was toed out about 2 degrees. They reset the toe-in left side to . 03 and right side to . 04. So far all is well. They said all the other settings were good.

 

[Dave M]

Took back to alignment shop and the left side was toed out about 2 degrees. They reset the toe-in left side to . 03 and right side to . 04. So far all is well. They said all the other settings were good.

Toe and Caster are very important componets in un-even tire wear and "death wobble" from my experience with both. As close to zero toe as possible and caster 3. 5-4. 5+ seem to be the magic numbers. At least that's what worked for me.