Death Wobble 89,000miles what specs.

[JARichard]

OK I got the DW for the first time. And now it wont stop doing it. Every little bump and it flies off the handle. What specs. do I need to get this thing aligned to. It is going in the shop as soon as I get home tomorrow.

Thanks!

 

[DIESELMAN]

If it came on like that and is now consistent, you don't have an alignment issue, you have something worn or broken.

 

[DPelletier]

Not necessarily IMO.



I believe that DW is caster shimmy caused by a front end geometry that is very finicky as far as caster settings are concerned. If the caster settings aren't right (the recommended factory settings allow too wide a range), then the underlying condition for DW is set and remains dormant (in most cases) until there is enough wear in one or more components to allow the DW to manifest itself. In addition, worn ball joints can change the caster.

This is why many people report different "fixes" for DW. They haven't really fixed anything, they have just closed the "path of least resistance". Once thier new track bar or steering stabilizer wears, then they experience DW again unless the suspension geometry settings are changed.



Do a search on "caster" "alignment" and "settings" and settle back for a lot of reading. I'm sorry, but I didn't keep a copy of the alignment specs handy.



Dave



ps. I am not an alignment or suspension expert. This is just my opinion based on my informal research on the subject.

Oh, and Jeeps have been experiencing DW for quite some time. It's very prevalent in the off-road 4x4 world, probably due to the widespread use of lift kits and large tires, etc. I have had Ford F-150's and F-250's that have had DW in the past.

 

[Yo Hoot]

Try this...



Get out your big wrenches... don't be afraid...



Ge4t under there and give it a little more caster by adjusting the eccentric adjusters at the axle end of the lower links.



First mark the original positions with permenant marker. Move both side about one index mark and drive it for a while. I fixed mine this way after installing a leveling kit.



Alittle more caster should help you out.

 

[BHolm]

If the steering stabilizer is original I would give some thought to replacing it as well. The big tires you are running don't help any of the suspension components last, you might want to consider renewing any that are worn. Then I would certainly follow the advice on the alignment but, if you have a bunch of loose parts under there, it isn't going to matter what the settings are, if the parts can't hold them.

 

[dave176]

OK I got the DW for the first time. And now it wont stop doing it. Every little bump and it flies off the handle. What specs. do I need to get this thing aligned to. It is going in the shop as soon as I get home tomorrow.

Thanks!

I was driving last week and i went over a sharp bump and DW kicked in. I took it directly to the shop ball joints are a little wore but not the cause. I got home and figured i would check my steering shock out. I took off the one end and i could push it in and out with quite a bit of ease so i took it in and the shock is shot completly. I put the new one on and drove it and back to normal no shack off sharp bumps. I know that if caster is out of wack thats the main cause but replacing that shock made a big difference. It's worth checking it out. DAVE...

 

[DIESELMAN]

This one has sure been covered alot without a difinitive solution, cause there isn't one. My point is only that if it came on without a hint and is now very constant, normal wear isn't likely the cause, something else MAY be obvious.



Caster, Caster Stagger, Bal Joints, Front or Rear trail bushings, track bar, shocks, steering shock, tires , something changes that sets it off.



Usually you notice a gradual loss of stability over bumps that grows with time.

 

[JARichard]

Yeah I did a lot of reading.........

Some said plus 4 on the caster some said plus 5 or 6. wich is it?





I never had DW before. There was no ALMOST DW to say something was slowly deteriorating (did I spell that right). There is nothing obviously broken. I will be going in early in the morning to check it all out.



Anyone know the right caster setting?



Is more caster turning the egocentric bolts towards the front of the truck or rear of the truck?

 

[silverram03]

Could this be related to the accident you had with the Ford a while back?

 

[AKAMAC]

Some said plus 4 on the caster some said plus 5 or 6. wich is it?





I never had DW before. There was no ALMOST DW to say something was slowly deteriorating (did I spell that right). There is nothing obviously broken. I will be going in early in the morning to check it all out.



Anyone know the right caster setting?



Is more caster turning the egocentric bolts towards the front of the truck or rear of the truck?

Think of it as making the lower link arms longer. CW on right side, CCW on left.

3 to 4 deg is usually good. Here is a good read about it. Also search for "Brent" on this site he gave some good #'s for the FE.



http://www.whiteline.com.au/default.asp?page=/faqsusp01.htm

 

[CSilkowski]

I experienced the DW and installed the KORE steering stabilizer about 10K miles ago. No further problems since the install.

 

[dave176]

I experienced the DW and installed the KORE steering stabilizer about 10K miles ago. No further problems since the install.

What make is that steering stabilizer??

 

[Punkineater]

Steering stabilizers will only hide the root cause of the problem for a while. I would check alignment as well as trac-bar.

 

[CSilkowski]

What make is that steering stabilizer??

I believe it is a "Fox" product.