2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission "Death Wobble" not always from worn out parts.

[Curious Dave]

Ok... Think about this... I have had my truck since it was new. I have had the front rebuilt with OEM parts at a 5 star shop. It didn't last but a few years.

I had a case of the "Death Wobble", so... I figured it was time to go thru everything again. Since it only lasted a few years I would go industrial this time and see if it would last longer.

Sooo... I went with PSC, Thuren, Bilstein, the works... All good stuff, some would say the best. I went with heavy duty ball joints, Dynatrac hubs, 1000 lb over stock springs for a little lift. Everything!!!

Well... Not quite.

I noticed that with everything that I replaced. . each time I replaced or added a heavier duty item... . The "Death Wobble" would still happen. But with each time it was happening easier, faster, and more severe.

I was getting a little frustrated... Ok... I lied. . FRUSTRATED A LOT!#@$%!



But, I think that I may have figured out what the heck has been going on. I found a story about something called "Tank Slap". So I did some reading and it sounds to me like the physics behind "Tank Slap" fit perfect with what I have been experiencing.

I am now waiting to get ahold of Don at "Thuren Fabrication" to have him send me out a steering stabilizer.

What do you guys think?

 

[SRath]

Death Wobble can also be easily caused by an even slightly out-of-round rim or tire, or a tire with damaged/disintegrating cords inside where you cannot see them. Trust me on that one!



It is all about harmonic resonance, regardless of the initial source. The same powerful force that has taken down huge concrete and steel bridges.



just one more good reason not to install 200KW subwoofers and play rap music...

 

[Regcabguy]

Installing a pressurized ss will definitely reduce bumpsteer,but with your relatively narrow tires it'll likely produce a left drift. Don's working on a quality ss that will function well at low/no psi without cavitating. He'll 'splain it better than I can. He prefers talking to you and will return calls in 24 hrs. during the week. Great guy. My dw was still present after upgrading the front suspension and after returning to Discount Tire and an accurate rebalance,it disappeared. As mentioned before,checkout your tire integrity/balance.

 

[ESims]

I have 260,000 on a 99 and have original balljoints, hub bearings etc. Basically the front end has never been touched except for the trac bar. The original lasted 136,000 then it went bad. I went thru 3 new napa trac bars in 18,000 miles till i finally said enough is enough. I put a lukes link on the frame end and on the axle end made a solid steel bushing and installed it. No death wobble until about 245,000 when taken apart the steel bushing had opened up some and the bolt going thru the housing had begun to egg out. I drilled out the axle housing hole to 5/8 and made another steel bushing and it drives like a new truck again. This is also on 35 bfg's and has been since new