2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Death wobble, whats the cure?

[JPittinger]

From everything I've read, the more caster the better. This includes what I've read on Don T's website. I'd push your arrows on the caster bolts pointing straight forward (max caster) and take it for a spin. This might be too much and you could need to back off, but if it works you'll be able to tell a difference.
Good luck with the alignment shop. I trust them about as far as I can throw the whole building with the 16 year olds inside.

 

[Alphacowboy]

From everything I've read, the more caster the better. This includes what I've read on Don T's website. I'd push your arrows on the caster bolts pointing straight forward (max caster) and take it for a spin. This might be too much and you could need to back off, but if it works you'll be able to tell a difference.

I have tried that, I think I'll just have to keep trying different settings.

Good luck with the alignment shop. I trust them about as far as I can throw the whole building with the 16 year olds inside.

:-laf:-laf:-laf My cousin use to work in a tire shop, and now owns his own shop, I'll probably ask him if he knows someone he trusts or if he can do it, I do trust him.

 

[Hammer]

40psi IIRC

If you look at the tire pressure supplement,not the door jam pressures,that came with your truck you will see that you are way below what Ma Mopar even recommends for your truck. Tire pressure is one of the biggest problems when it comes to your death wobble issues.



Another one is proper tire rotation and balance. How do you rotate your tires when you rotate them?. It should be done by moving the fronts straight back(left front to left rear,right front to right rear) and then crossing the rears as you move forward(right rear to left front,left rear to right front). It allows for a better and more even wear pattern which helps keep the tire true. Also you should have them rotated and balanced about every other major service. I know many have their thoughts on this but a lttle spent now will keep you safe and happy in the long run.



One of the biggest problems with death wobble I feel is toe in/out. I have had a long chat with the shop who does my alignment about this and discussed it. Many shops set the toe in in and it actually makes the front end plow the road instead of gliding across it,thus causing premature tire failure or uneven wear patterns. I have always ran my 98 with the toe at zero and can usually tell when a owner has his toe set in(the truck will usually feel like your chasing the nose some or feel like it has a slight wiggle in it).



One thing is for sure,death wobble will frighten anyone who experiences it. I have been very lucky with mine and have not had issues with it and my truck has 170,000 miles on it. However,I stay on top of my tires,rotate them at every other service and have them balanced then also. My truck also has all of the Solid Steel front end parts and is kept aligned regularly and the shocks are replaced at regular intervals. Hope you find what is causing your issues and maybe I helped some... ... Andy

 

[dmhollister]

Sorry about not getting back quickly with caster. I am not sure what is negative and positive caster. I took the measurement on the differential cover bolts with a protractor and adjusted my lower control arms on the jeep to be shorter to bring the front drive shaft more inline with the joint instead of offset. What is happening when you shorten the lower is the axle is rotating and aligning the yoke straighter with the driveline. Hope you get this figured out.

 

[Alphacowboy]

ITS GONE! NO MORE DW!



Put ThurenFabrications Steering stablizer on last night. WOW, what a difference! No DW, not even a hint of it. Truck is great and fun to drive now, I dont wince when I see bumps anymore! :-laf



Thanks again Don, you the man!

 

[NVR FNSH]

Unfortunately you haven't solved the problem - you've only covered it up.



Brian

 

[Alphacowboy]

Unfortunately you haven't solved the problem - you've only covered it up.



Brian

yes, and no. I am pretty sure I have narrowed it down to the tires. Plus, Dodge and Ford wouldnt put a part on a truck from the factory if it wasnt needed. Trust me, the bean counters wouldnt let a part be added if it didnt need to be there. I was at one point very much against the stablizer, and thought it to be a bandaid, but the more you look at the system and how all of the componentes work together on the front of these trucks, with out one, it makes perfect sense how DW can occur. Anyway, I am vary happy with the results!

 

[NVR FNSH]

yes, and no. I am pretty sure I have narrowed it down to the tires. Plus, Dodge and Ford wouldnt put a part on a truck from the factory if it wasnt needed. Trust me, the bean counters wouldnt let a part be added if it didnt need to be there. I was at one point very much against the stablizer, and thought it to be a bandaid, but the more you look at the system and how all of the componentes work together on the front of these trucks, with out one, it makes perfect sense how DW can occur. Anyway, I am vary happy with the results!

The steering stabilizer/damper is there to absorb kick back. It's not there because the steering system is designed to be inherently unstable. We'll just have to agree to disagree



Brian