DEATH Wobble

[04blackcherry]

WOW. Hit an expansion joint this morning on the way to work at 65mph and it's a good thing traffic was light. I have read a bunch of threads on the death wobble, but kinda figured "I'll never get it". I tell you what, you don't want to get it. I didn't freak 'cause I knew what was going on, but man I didn't have any idea it was so violent. When I think about it, my truck is a rolling death trap right now.



I've got the dreaded 315 BFG's on it but I can't believe it is only tire related (I will be going by the tire shop today). It has 2" front spacers and Bilstein 5100 shocks. I figure it's time for some parts.



I know there really doesn't seem to be a consensus on the root cause but I figure on starting with the '08 steering upgrade for sure. Of course the caster, tires, ball joints, track bar, and etc. will be checked thoroughly.



Anyone who was like me and kinda blew off this whole death wobble thing needs to do all the preventive maintainance on the front end and do some listening to those that came before with this issue.

 

[LBARTLETT]

sorry to hear about your issue



I had a 94, 95, 96, 98, 99, 01, and 04 CTD 4x4's and never had death wobble



with my present 2wd I hope I never do experience it

 

[RustyJC]

I don't know that I've ever heard of death wobble on a 4x2. Caster wobble is generally a solid axle suspension problem unless something is SERIOUSLY amiss with an IFS setup. I've been driving 4x2 Dodge duallies since 1996 and have never experienced it on any of them.



Rusty

 

[Slow Six]

Scares the **** out of you, I know and sometimes it happens at a bad time like when I was passing a semi and just as I was pulling back into the lane in front of the truck death wobble struck. One of the first things I did to correct it was the Carli ball joints. I thought this cured it but one day later on the wobble caught me again. I had the 08 steering upgrade installed and so far no more death wobble plus a major improvement in steering. I don't think tires were ever a factor with my truck as I have ran Michelins ever since they were available. I would strongly suggest the steering upgrade ASAP.

 

[LBARTLETT]

I agree Rusty JC, I've never heard of it with a 2-wheel drive which is why I am so happy to have one now for my daily driver,



I had so much trouble with the steering on all of my 4x4's I decided since I was in Texas I'd go with a 2 wheel drive. I think I'm getting 1 to 2 mpg better mileage and I haven't been stuck yet



I just watch where I go and if the weathers bad I stay at home (most of these folks don't know how to drive on snow and ice so it's safer to just be at home)

 

[SHobbs]

I can tell you it does happen with a 2-wheel drive or at least with mine it did. It only happened once and has not happened again since the front end was redone. As Rusty said something under mine must have been really worn out.

 

[04blackcherry]

I had the tires rebalanced. Took it over to a buddies house to check for loose tie rod ends and track bar bushing. Didn't see anything unusual. Got home and jacked up the wheels and the pass side upper ball joint is pretty loose. Looks like a set of those and I still am going to find a good price on that upgraded steering. I've got 106,000+ miles on the truck.

 

[AEdelheit]

those BFG's are notorious for DW, even if there balanced, if it continues I would replace the tires ASAP. And its not because there D rated, been running D rated tires for a long time without problems, the BFG's just dont do well under these trucks.

 

[SWithrow]

Got home and jacked up the wheels and the pass side upper ball joint is pretty loose.

I had the DW twice, once at 40k (Tie rod ends, shocks, 4 balljoints) the second time was at 80k (New knuckles and ball joints) I installed the BFG 315's after the second set of ball joints and have not had the DW issues since(170k).

 

[04blackcherry]

Any suggestions on ball joints? I'm not spending $600-$800 for ball joints either. I saw some from Proforged for around $300. Saw a brand call XRF also. I'll check with my independant NAPA store also, to see if they have a heavy duty callout.

 

[04blackcherry]

Well... It wasn't a ball joint. It was the bearing/hub assy. Found a Timken number for them. HA590032. Timken has a very nice product search section. Timken Online Parts Catalog

 

[Bill Weber]

Hope the bearings solve your problem. I have been using BFG's (285's) on my 97 (170k) and 315's 0n my 04 (130k) and have not had any problems. Yet! Good luck.

Bill

 

[RChriste]

Any suggestions on ball joints? I'm not spending $600-$800 for ball joints either. I saw some from Proforged for around $300. Saw a brand call XRF also. I'll check with my independant NAPA store also, to see if they have a heavy duty callout.

I've been running the XRFs in my truck for almost 5k miles now and I'm very happy so far, the million mile warranty on top of the great price doesn't hurt either.

Well... It wasn't a ball joint. It was the bearing/hub assy.

Here's another place you might want to check out... Hub and Bearing Warehouse Home Page Great prices, quick service, and a lifetime warranty from a major manufacturer. Found out about them and the XRFs on another popular forum.

 

[champspa]

a track bar cures mine every time , it happen twice and two track bars done the job .

 

[04blackcherry]

champspa,
I see you have a '96. My buddy does also. He finally just bought a lifetime warranty track bar and changes it out every year. My '04 is a little different mounting on the frame end (no ball joint). I put urethane bushings in it a while back and it's good. I did feel a difference with the new bushings that helped the road feel of the steering.

 

[champspa]

where , if you know , does he get the lifetime track bar . My bar is 75 bucks from grey line auto.

 

[04blackcherry]

where , if you know , does he get the lifetime track bar . My bar is 75 bucks from grey line auto.

He pays more than that for sure. But, he gets them at our independent NAPA store.

 

[04blackcherry]

Update. The right side bearing hub was bad. Left side axle u-joint needs to be replaced. Left side upper ball joint suspect. The hub bearing replacement was easy on the right and a real bummer on the left. Did not use special tool just pulled them off with hammer strikes in a few places. I can definitely see where the tool just makes it so much easier. You still need the puller to push out the axle.

 

[LBARTLETT]

glad you found the problem

 

[fritzimax]

Upgraded to the 08 steering linkage, and have not had DW since. Hope it never returns, but it might as things wear.