2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Death Wobble

[MMcLeran]

I have a beautiful 2001, 2500 Dodge with only 133k miles and a bad case of chronic "Death Wobble. " I'm afraid to drive it, my family won't ride in it, and I can't sell it out of fear for the buyers safety. I would have to disclose the high risk for injury to self and passengers while operating the vehicle, I would also suffer a major financial hit as nobody in their right mind would pay much more then selvage price for this frightening piece of design flaw. After spending 5k on enhancements and mods to fix the problem, it happened again last night, and it was ten times worse. I had my grandkids in the truck going 55mph in heavy traffic when it started to shake. It was so close this time, I almost collided in what would have been a major accident. I plan to have the great Cummins engine removed for use in another truck, it won't be a Dodge. I will park what's left alongside Interstate 80 with the word "LEMON" painted in large yellow letters along the bed. It's like an old friend has turned his back on me, I feel defeated and can only wonder why with so many of these dangerous trucks in operation nothing has been done. Lives will be lost before some intervention happens. It's what the government calls "accident driven. " It's a sad situation because we love our trucks. We treat them with respect, we feed and care for them, they are almost like family. Oh well, such is life. I guess it's on to other ventures.

Be safe all.

 

[AEdelheit]

I you spent 5k and didint fix I you used some poor replacement parts or tires and didint spend your money weisly. Don't buy a Ford either that have DW also. Good luck with the GM IFS

 

[JKosten]

First: What did you spend 5k on?

Second: Don't blame Dodge for the problem if you created it.

Third: It is a known problem and the solution is out there if you do a little research.

 

[SierraRam]

Is your truck lifted or stock suspension?

 

[Yo Hoot]

I had death wobble with my 2004. Instead of posting a crying tirade, I did some research here and discovered it was mostly my fault and I fixed it.

I love this forum and especially the TDR publications.

 

[ssn696]

I had a 1992 4WD that started to have the death wobble if I touched a pothole at speed. After I swapped in a front swaybar from a junkyard truck, never had the DW again.

 

[Bob4x4]

An earlier post from mike... ... .









just put Toyo 31575R16's on my 01 2500 4X4 with 2" leveling kit - I'm taking the tires back and swapping them for 285's due to rubbing on support arms and very sluggish performance. Had them sipped which made the already touchy steering even more touchy. It's amazing how larger tire sizes impact ride and performance, bigger is sure not always better. Thanks.

Mike M. , Nevada City, CA

 

[firemansdiesel]

How much would you sell the truck for? I'll fix it and have a clean 2nd Gen.

 

[JKosten]

How much would you sell the truck for? I'll fix it and have a clean 2nd Gen.

That would solve your problem: James can buy it. He is only 5 hours away.

 

[MMcLeran]

Truck leveled 2" in front otherwise is stock suspension. All front end parts came from either Geno's or Source Automotive. Were either Borgeson, or Solid Steel. Tires are Michelin's top of the line. No junk installed to my knowledge. Parts for front end totaled $3,300, labor to install was approx $1600. First DW occurred at 15,000 miles, last DW was at 133,000 miles. Track bar, stabilizer bar, steering box, steering shaft, Track bar conversion kit, steering stabilizer and high end tires have all been added based on research and recommendations from TDR. Pardon my rant, guess I'm frustrated. Thanks for the reply.

 

[JKosten]

How are your ball joints and control arms?

It sounds like you have changed everything else.

 

[AEdelheit]

It is possible quality replacement parts may be faulty or a bolt loosens, especially track bar bolts, id get under there and have somone turn the wheel, look for loose parts, you will probably find some loose bolts or joints

 

[Cowboy]

me and jmill are on the same thought pattern, this is NOT a reason to give up, would you leave your family if they kept leaving the top off the toothpaste? 2nd gens are harder to find every day, and I bet me or Jmill would find the problem and FIX it,I did, and my 01 is lifted, 315's, 10" wheels and I live in the worst road maintenance area of the country. lets buy it,james, and we can make a tidy profit!!!

 

[firemansdiesel]

I'm still waiting for a price quote.

 

[MMcLeran]

I have seen the light thanks to you two. You have enlightened me to the point of wanting to keep my truck and research till I find the answer. I love my truck again and have come to the conclusion my DW problem is a result of several factors all contributing to the problem. For example, I had my new Michelin's re-balanced using the Hunter machine and they were all out of balance and had too much weight added to each tire. Also, front was very out of alignment as I failed to have it aligned after installing track bar, stabilizer bar, etc,etc. So I admit I am part of the problem. I'm off to the alignment shop now but you guys have first dibs on the truck. Saw a bumper sticker that applies to my recent thinking: "crainium rectum extractus. " Thanks you guys.

 

[firemansdiesel]

Good deal!

 

[MMcLeran]

Two contributing causes of DW in my 01 turned out to be all four tires were improperly balanced and a front end that was grossly out of alignment. Both conditions were due to my negligence. I purchased 4 LTX A/T 10ply Michelins 8K miles ago and told the salesman I'd be back in an hour for the truck. It was later determined the installer balanced the tires on a bubble balancer and had used more wheel weights then were necessary. Yesterday I had the tires re-balanced on a Hunter GSP-9700 Road Force Balancer and the front end aligned and what a difference. Next time I buy tires I will stick around and pay attention during installation. The alignment problem was a result of my failure to have front end realigned after installing track and stabilizer bars and some other upgrades.

I was advised by the installer to get an alignment but just spaced it out. For 8k miles my truck was snowplowing down the road with front tires way out of specs and in a severe toe-in condition. The front end mechanic said these two factors were major contributors to my DW problem.