2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Death wobble clarification

[scotty-u]

Need to better understand the death wobble issue. It is the rapid left to right turning of the front wheels (indicating worn tie rod ends, steering box, etc. ) or is it the play associated in the ball socket of the track bar, allowing the body/frame to move independently of the front axle?



Also, looking at 3rd gen. track bars, is adjustable more desirable than nonadjustable, or vise-versa, and why.



JUst ordered a Luke's Link to fix the trackbar until I can afford a 3rd gen. bar. THANKS

 

[Clinton]

Death wobble, or caster shimmy, is more of an oscillation than anything. It's not really a turning of the wheels; more of a bouncing of the front end. I don't think anybody has ever nailed it down to one single culprit, although many have pointed to worn-out track bars. My '96 has wobbled on me twice and both times were due to bald front tires. Replaced the tires and it wouldn't do it again on the same road feature it did it before. Both times the steering wheel was pointed dead straight ahead. My local NAPA guys are all into big lifted solid front axle jeeps and they swear it comes from the frame end of the track bar not being torqued high enough. I wish I could observe it going on from outside the truck. You would swear the tires are coming off the ground. You'll know it immediately if it ever happens to your truck. I hope you never come to know it.

 

[Jeff Knight]

I have the non adjustable track bar on mine. If you don't plan on lifting your truck you dont need an adjustable one. It's a good fix a long with the DSS... . Jeff

 

[Dave M]

My death wobble always occurred on flat level road. It felt like the front end was violently moving left/right and scared me to death. It happened on a freeway once (that had concrete washboard type grooves) at 70 MPH while a big rig was passing on my left. I didn't think I could keep the truck from hitting the rig but I crapped my shorts trying to control it. Slowing down enough finally stopped it.



I spent 2 years chasing it till I finally fixed it. I replaced: front/rear shocks, steering stabilizer shock, control arm bushing, end links, swap bar bushings, steering gear, added DSS, track bar (first lukes link then a 3rd gen when lukes link kept loosing up), outer tie rod, and the last thing that fixed wobble while braking was front rotors.



It sure drives nice now. It was worth the $2,000+ I spent.



Dave

 

[DLangford]

JUst ordered a Luke's Link to fix the trackbar until I can afford a 3rd gen. bar. THANKS

As soon as you can afford it, install the 3rd gen track bar.

I experienced the death wobble a total of three times... twice after the Luke's Link loosened up on me! If you keep the Luke's Link you must periodically check it for loosening with an under truck inspection and assistant turning the wheel, etc. They don't stress that in the instructions.

For me, it was not worth the hassle. Plus, death wobble is scary enough, especially on the freeway.

I also agree you do not need the adjustable track bar in a non-lifted truck.

Installing the 3rd gen track bar can be a little tricky, as the axle can get "out" from the looseness of the old track bar. I had to use a come-a-long to pull the axle back to where it needed to be (side to side) for the new track bar to fit properly.

 

[PC12Driver]

I wish I could observe it going on from outside the truck.

Give YouTube a sniff - there's a handfull of videos of that on there.

Here's one.

Here's another.