Here I am

2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Front axle after a severe death wobble question..

Attention: TDR Forum Junkies
To the point: Click this link and check out the Front Page News story(ies) where we are tracking the introduction of the 2025 Ram HD trucks.

Thanks, TDR Staff

2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Tonneau Cover too short

Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Front Drive shaft

Status
Not open for further replies.
Ok so I had a severe death wobble happen to my truck about 3 years ago due to a bad ball joint (so I was told by mechanic who did some repairs afterwards). At that time a ball joint was replaced, a track bar bolt broke and was replaced, and brake line replaced. Some months later I noticed axle oil was leaking onto inner front right tire also.

I had a mechanic replace both axle seals and the leak was actually worse when I got my truck back and I noticed a shimmy/shake to front end particularly on highway starting at about 60 mph. I took the my truck to another different mechanic (for reasons I won't get into here) and told them about the issue/history of this truck. They ended up replacing the front right u-joint, intermediate , and outer axle. This stopped the axle oil leak and that shimmy/shake.

I have since noticed somewhat of what I would cal a bounce to the front end. I've had the truck to 4 different mechanics to try and diagnose what this could possibly be. The bounce is sporadic and not consistent and does not seem to by brought on by hitting a bump/ pot hole, etc. One mechanic says front axle could be bent (not too sure this would cause a bounce). Another mechanic says a tiny bit of play in the right lower control arm ( I doubt this too would cause a bounce) , another mechanic says both lower ball joints are bad (I doubt this too as one was already replaced and there is no play in the tires when you pry on them.

This truck has new Bilstein shocks, moog end links, new poly bushings on sway bar and end links, a new steering stabilizer shock (rancho), a steering stabilizer bar, a 3rd gen track bar (truck is a 98 2500 12 valve). Every mechanic agrees the front end parts are tight with the exception of 2 who say lower control arm and ball joints.

Truck also has BFGoodrich tires which have been on the truck for 3-4 years with no issues and rotated multiple times. Truck has no lift kit, etc.

Another mechanic also suggested changing over the front coil springs and all control arms due to truck having almost 278,000 miles on it.

So has anyone got any opinion what this bounce could be from based on the above information listed?...this is baffling me, sounds like a might have to just start replacing parts and do a process of elimination ...could it be the one axle that was not replaced is bad and causing this bonce?
 
I want to add a few details...

There was no front end shakes, bounce,etc. after this death wobble happened 3 years ago. It was only after axle was initially worked on that included just changing out the axle seals. The second time axle was worked on that included replacing the intermediate and outer shaft and u-joint was because the bushing between the two shafts was bad. Tires have been rotated a few times since then, had a front end alignment which was only off just a tad bit. When the front end it put on a lift and suspension is checked including pulling, prying, etc. on all parts nothing feels or appears to be lose at all. Spinning both front tires while off the ground they both spin as straight as can be. When the place who said both lower ball joints needed replacement (at a cost of $750.00- haha) there way of checking was prying on the tires with a pry bar from the bottom and pressing up as I watched this firsthand. They barely moved and only a tad bit of grease had come out and I informed them I had greased all joints the previous day.
 
rancho steering stabilizers are junk. IMO.
How about play in the steering box? loose body mounts? loose motor mounts. loose trans mounts? those can telegraph sounds and vibrations.
 
rancho steering stabilizers are junk. IMO.
How about play in the steering box? loose body mounts? loose motor mounts. loose trans mounts? those can telegraph sounds and vibrations.

What steering stabilizer would you suggest?...No play in any of these you listed and it is not vibration it is definitely more of a bounce that seems more pronounced at lower speeds. I was hoping it was a shock but they have been replaced and I'm wondering if it could be a tire issue. I'm still baffled that 4 mechanic shops couldn't figure it out.
 
Coil springs and upper and lower control arm bushings are absolutely a wear item. At nearly 300,000 miles yours are beyond their life of service. It is very difficult to diagnose the components on these trucks with a pry bar unless they are totally destroyed, but trust me at that mileage everything is due for replacement.
 
Coil springs and upper and lower control arm bushings are absolutely a wear item. At nearly 300,000 miles yours are beyond their life of service. It is very difficult to diagnose the components on these trucks with a pry bar unless they are totally destroyed, but trust me at that mileage everything is due for replacement.

That is what I was starting to think that it could be anything. I've even put a video recorder under the truck in various locations to see if I can see particularly anything odd and I don't.
 
i put control arms from rock auto on my 04, uppers n lowers, they are nice quality built units. very easy to install as well.
 
Rancho stabilizer and BFGs are 2 huge red flags and where I would start first. If the control arms are worn you will have a clunk when going from forward to reverse as well as when breaking.
 
i put control arms from rock auto on my 04, uppers n lowers, they are nice quality built units. very easy to install as well.

youtube will educate you as well.
 
When I changed them on my 98 I went with the Top Gun control arms. They come with grease zerks at each bushing.
 
Rancho stabilizer and BFGs are 2 huge red flags and where I would start first. If the control arms are worn you will have a clunk when going from forward to reverse as well as when breaking.

What stabilizer would you suggest?....The BFG's have been on truck for 4 years with no issues, have even wear and still good tread but I wonder a bit. There is no clunking or noises of any kind noticed. The weird thing is it is sporadic. I can drive 3 miles down a road and not have what feels like a bouncing. I can then turn around and drive the same road back and get the bounce. Like I said also I've tried recording video in multiple areas under truck while driving and can note when I feel this bouncing and don't see a thing on video indicating what or where it could be...
 
Bill, is there ANYTHING consistent about the issue?

  • Does it happen only in one gear?
  • Does it only happen at a certain speed?
  • Does it only happen at a certain engine RPM?
  • Does it only happen when empty or loaded?
  • Does it only happen when towing?
  • Does it only happen when you're driving?
  • Does it only happen when the cruise is engaged?
  • Does it only happen on certain roads?
 
Being this is my secondary truck and this issue I am not driving it much but...

1. It is sporadic it seems at lower speed like a bouncing and more consistent on highway.
2. Is not used for hauling or towing anything...
3. Haven't tried it in cruise control.
4. Yes only while driving.
5. No certain engine rpm or speeds that I can tell.
6. Certain roads?..it is sporadic at low speeds, consistent on highway. Can drive 3 miles or so and it will do it, can drive 3 miles back on same road and it doesn't do it. And vice versa....can drive 3 miles and it won't do it, then drive 3 miles back and it'll do it. (weird)
 
Also want to add that the guy who did my front axle work said if i notice anything weird (shake, vibration,etc) in front end that my axle would need replacing. I assume he meant the entire housing, etc. Said there was a possibility the axle was bent but i would think it would be consistent if that was the issue.
 
Does anyone lean to think this could be the drivers side axle? This one was not checked as far as i know other then replacing that side axle seal.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top