2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Dangerous front end! "Death Wobble"???

[ShortB]

Been a lurking member for a little while, but now I need ya'lls help! My truck's front end has been very loose since I bought it (260k miles), but since I put the 2" spacers in the front, it's just gotten downright dangerous. Now, when I'm going down the highway and just hit a slight rough spot in the pavement, the whole truck will shudder fairly violently and doesn't really stop until I immediately hit the brakes and slow down some.



I think what I'm dealing with is "death wobble", but I'm not sure... and I'm not exactly sure how to cure it. Maybe a track bar? I've been eyeing the Thuren Fab bar already, so I'm thinking this might be a good time to step up.



Any ideas as to what's causing this "shuddering"??

 

[RKlaassen]

I would check the track bar first thing. My '94 was shot at 150k and had the classic "Death Wobble" you described. Track bar was the easy fix. The '01 lasted to 100K and I caught it before it got to bad. Next on the menu for me is the "Inverted T" tie rod conversion for My '01.

 

[Alphacowboy]

adjust your lower control arms to the furthest point forward! What happens with the spacers is that it makes the lower arms too short and your axle pitches forward and also causes your toe in to be increased. Also, check your toe-in, it should be slightly toed in (1/8" I have found to be the best. ) I fully adjusted my lower arms forward as far as they go, and adjusted my toein as stated above, and havent had DW since (had it 3 times in 2 days previously) and my track bar and steering box are both wron out. THey are getting replaced in a month or so.

 

[Graphic man]

After the 2" lift in the front you need to get it aligned ... ... and run a min of a D or an E rated tire, this got rid of my D/W, check all front end parts for ware, tie rods, trac bar, ball joints etc.



Scott

 

[Extreme1]

Welcome to the sunlight.



It's alignment time! Here are the specs you should use.



Make sure your front end parts are tight including the mentioned trac-bar (I recomment the Linstadt replacement bar), steering box (add the DSS), steering column (not sure if this will contribute to death wobble but it will tighten up the feel) tie rods and ball joints.

 

[ShortB]

Thanks for the unput. Just ordered a Thuren Track Bar, and am looking at new wheels and tires (probably 315/75/16 BFG M/T's on 16x10's). After everything gets put together, I'm going to get it aligned (Firestone Lifetime Alignment is looking good about now )

 

[Alphacowboy]

Thanks for the unput. Just ordered a Thuren Track Bar

NP... and great pick on the TB, mine will be here next week I hope. I already have his cross over HD steering setup... its major beef I tell you!

 

[RKlaassen]

RKlaassen: My wife has a '01 two wheel drive and when traveling in a straight line she has no steering wheel movement. On my '99 4x4 I have two inch's of movement left to right to keep the truck traveling down the road straight. With your '01 4x4 how does yours steer when traveling in a straight line? I am suspecting that they may have upgraded the steering column.

My '01 steers about the same as your '99. Better than it used to though. The Bilstiens were the biggest improvement. I used to swap lanes on the rough bridges and cattle guards. The track bar helped also. Right now, all the tie rod ends are about shot. The steering box is still fair and the same for the ball joints. Most of the roads I travel around here are so rough, I spend most of the time in the middle anyway. I didn't know pavement got washboarded, until I moved here. When I do have to go to Tucson on the interstate, it's not great on the smooth road, but I guess i've gotten used to it. Still better than the old Landcruiser. I think I'm ready to do the "T" on the tie rods and probably the DSS.

 

[JPittinger]

BFG MTs? I'll never go less than E rated, and I learned the hard way. Too much flex in the sidewalls. Want D's? Drive a gasser.

 

[Alphacowboy]

BFG MTs? I'll never go less than E rated, and I learned the hard way. Too much flex in the sidewalls. Want D's? Drive a gasser.

I drive using D's and have had no issues at all. if you dont haul alot of stuff thats super heavy, I dont see the issue.

 

[ShortB]

BFG MTs? I'll never go less than E rated, and I learned the hard way. Too much flex in the sidewalls. Want D's? Drive a gasser.

Really. Well, I plan on ordering new wheels and tires in the morning: 315/75/16 Nitto Terra Grapplers on 16x8 American Eagle Style 187 wheels. Opinions on this combo and how it might help/hurt my front end issues? (I'll be installing the wheels, tires, track bar, and getting an alignment done all at the same time)



#ad


#ad

 

[RKlaassen]

I drive using D's and have had no issues at all. if you dont haul alot of stuff thats super heavy, I dont see the issue.

I agree. We drove from Oregon to South Carolina, down to Texas and back up to Montana. All kinds of roads, all temperatures. 4500 lbs on the front axle and 6500 lbs on the rear, 11000 total on the truck with a 3000 lb trailer on the hitch. 295/75/16 load range D Nittos.

 

[Alphacowboy]

if you dont pass the load rating of the tire, I dont see the problem. The softer sidewalls sure help the back on bump roads, these biatches ride rough enough as it is!

 

[JPittinger]

Really. Well, I plan on ordering new wheels and tires in the morning: 315/75/16 Nitto Terra Grapplers on 16x8 American Eagle Style 187 wheels. Opinions on this combo and how it might help/hurt my front end issues? (I'll be installing the wheels, tires, track bar, and getting an alignment done all at the same time)

Good choice, I run the same on 2001 Al rims (E rated) at 60 psi in the front and about 45 in the rear unloaded for the highway. I expected mine to last longer, but I drive on dirt every day and I'm not easy on them by any stretch.



"Softer sidewalls" are exactly the reason not to run D's. Too much flex at the wrong time, especially for taller than stock meats. The big metal brick between the front fenders has a lot of inertia, which is significantly different than what was considered when the load rating was stamped on the sides of the tire. D's aren't the path to softer suspension or better handling, better shocks and better springs are. I admit, airing down for off-roading is a different situation, but who's going to complain about stronger sidewalls offroad?

 

[Big Sur]

I had death wobble until I replaced "perfectly good" E rated tires for brand new D rated Liberators.



So there you go

 

[Yo Hoot]

Whatever you do DO NOT put BFG's on it.

 

[MacMc]

Whatever you do DO NOT put BFG's on it.

This is a useless post. Care to tell us why?



I had 35" BFG MTs on my '89 Dodge W-150 with a 6" Superlift. Loved 'em.

Obviously, D and E rated tires on a Cummins truck will be different. But what's wrong with them?

 

[Alphacowboy]

This is a useless post. Care to tell us why?



I had 35" BFG MTs on my '89 Dodge W-150 with a 6" Superlift. Loved 'em.

Obviously, D and E rated tires on a Cummins truck will be different. But what's wrong with them?

exactly! I have BFG ATs right now, and they ride great and give plenty of traction (lack off pavement, but still ok) So far they have worn quite well for how heavy my right foot is. I may only get 25-30k out of them, but I drive my truck like I stole it, tires just dont last long with me at the helm.

 

[ShortB]

Got the wheels & tires on!





#ad


#ad


#ad


Yes, I know I need a front bumper... :{

 

[NVR FNSH]

A somewhat entertaining and educational thread on DW from Pirate4x4.com - http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=495951



Brian