2015 3500 "death wobble"

[CarlMumma]

2015 3500, CREW CAB, SHORT BOX, SRW, 4WD, 6.7, 18000mi- much of it towing, Have had death wobble incident four times since new, first time at approx 7500 miles, never happens when towing or loaded(yet).
dealer is replacing the steering stabilizer. I got a feeling this may not be a fix. I read much about past model years, is there any information about newer trucks? Very scary when it happens!! HELP!

 

[Deleted member 995608]

Any solid front axle is capable of the death wobble and many factors must be looked at before determine the cause. Your truck has an entirely different frame and beefier front axle from years past, but in essence, the parts work the same.

Do you have stock sized tires/ wheels or are you running bigger tires with high offset wheels?

Stock suspension? Lifted or leveling kit installed?

Are you getting a shimmy? Or is your truck violently shaking like the earth below you is opening up and swallowing you whole? There's a difference....

 

[Mingoglia]

Having moderated a Jeep forum for about 10 years, I've seen my fair share of DW. As was said, all solid axle front suspensions with links can experience it, and most are designed more or less the same. Unfortunately the steering stabilizer only masks another problem. Steering stabilizer's role is to take shocks out of the steering when hitting something off-road. DW is a side to side movement of the axle, and is usually a result of worn bushings or wallowed out bolt holes (which won't be the case with your "new" truck, unless they're defective), or fasteners not torqued to factory spec.

The first place to look is the trackbar, which is what keeps the axle from moving side to side. When diagnosing, I'll typically have someone in the vehicle while I'm underneath row the steering wheel back and forth and I'll look for play, again, starting with the trackbar.

Another thing to try is to rotate your tires and make sure they're the proper air and are balanced. Something out of whack there can trigger DW. I'd also check toe. Although these things don't "cause" DW, they can get it going and once that axle starts moving side to side the only thing that stops it is a drastic change in speed, usually slowing down to around 30mph or so. Ironically, speeding up can also stop it but it's safer to slow down.

 

[CarlMumma]

The truck is box stock the only thing added was the hitch for towing a small fifth wheel RV.
I'm OCD about tire pressure/rotation. I cannot duplicate the death wobble, even driving over the same road several times. It happened again yesterday to my favorite wife, she says she will no longer drive the truck cause it almost put her in the ditch. Local dealer says they put it on an alignment rack, checked "everything", and drove it. Waiting for a steering stabilizer to show up. Based on reading I've done this may not be the fix.
This is very violent shaking of the entire truck. If this is a problem with solid axle trucks I can understand loose or worn parts, but on a new truck?

 

[sag2]

You should be able to duplicate it at the same place it occurred before. Generally it tends to occur in a sweeping turn when you hit an uneven spot in the road. Also when she says it almost put her in the ditch that is not the traditional DW. When it happens the steering wheel and truck will start to shake side to side, but the truck is completely steerable. I have driven them quite a way doing it just to prove that there isn't really a loss of steering control. But the first time you experience it, it will get your attention. Try same road, same track in the road and same speed. If you don't have a good place to duplicate you will have a difficult time confirming the repair.

 

[Deleted member 995608]

As other have mentioned, I too think the track bar is most likely the culprit since it locates that axle. We we're able to locate the problem on my former 3rd gen by laying on the ground in front of the truck and having someone turn the wheels lock to lock. I had an aftermarket track bar (not mentioning company) that wore out the bushings fairly quick. I replaced the bar with a factory OE part and it solved my woes.

 

[p-Bar]

You gotta be kidding me . Still having problems with death wobble? this dates back to 04 . Amazed the NHTSB hasn't looked into this . Been thinking about a new one this will keep me away from a 4wd. I'll just put an ARB locker in it

 

[AEdelheit]

You gotta be kidding me . Still having problems with death wobble? this dates back to 04 . Amazed the NHTSB hasn't looked into this . Been thinking about a new one this will keep me away from a 4wd. I'll just put an ARB locker in it

Well its dated back to far before 04 but for Dodge specifically 1994 when they went to the 4 link front suspension would be when it was more prevalent. It is extrememly rare in the new trucks and I would certainly not hesitate to buy a new truck because of it.

 

[bigblock_doc]

I put on a new steering shock and that is when the problems started. Finally removed the Monroe and replace it a Rancho.
Problem solved. I know, both made by Tenneco.

 

[jhenderson]

Well its dated back to far before 04 but for Dodge specifically 1994 when they went to the 4 link front suspension would be when it was more prevalent. It is extrememly rare in the new trucks and I would certainly not hesitate to buy a new truck because of it.

It it started long before then. Any straight axle vehicle is subject. Watch a WW II documentary or ask a veteran. Everything from a Jeep on up. All through the 60s-70s the big 3 were plagued with the Maytag motion. Nothing is new about this phenomenon.

 

[RustyJC]

Caster wobble (aka "death wobble") dates back to the earliest solid front axle cars. That is one of the reasons manufacturers moved from solid front axles to independent front suspensions in cars primarily in the 30s and 40s.

Rusty

 

[AEdelheit]

It it started long before then. Any straight axle vehicle is subject. Watch a WW II documentary or ask a veteran. Everything from a Jeep on up. All through the 60s-70s the big 3 were plagued with the Maytag motion. Nothing is new about this phenomenon.

Thats why I stated it dates back far before but wasnt a huge issue with Dodge until 1994.

 

[CarlMumma]

Got a new steering stabilizer put on and no problems since, over approx 3800 miles. I wonder about the track bar suggested above since it makes sense to me. Dealer assures me the track bar is "ok".

 

[EDankievitch]

Just had a death wobble issue with my friends 04. The truck was brought in for the steering tierod recall hey if RAM wants to replace the parts that had well over 200,000 miles on them for free who are we to say no. And yes that was the 08 update kit that was on the truck for 200,000 miles they were as tight as the day they were installed when replaced. Any way getting off track here. After the new parts were installed the shop did the alignment and down the road my friend went. First thing we notied was the tires wearing heavy on the outer edges. Next thing he noticed after hitting a rough stretch of highway was the death wobble. Thinking he was due for all new front end parts he brought the truck in to my shop. I gave the truck a once over, Carli ball joints tight as new (not bad for 200,000 miles) , Track bar bushings still tight ( those Luke LInk bushing kits hold up very well), Everything was tight. Then I break out my trusty toe in measuring stick and there it was toe in way over 1/4" The old school factory (way before computers and those fancy alignment machines) spec's call for 1/16" to 1/8" measured at the back of the rim measured in front of the axle compared to the same location behind the axle. Re set everything and take it out for a drive. Hit that same bad section of highway about 70 and the truck goes right down the road just as smooth and controlled can be. NO DEATH WOBLE! I'm starting to really wonder about the shops and the people working in them. If you truck is having issues with the death wobble find another shop. ask on here for a referral.