2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission death wobble

[b.ferrara]

97' 3500 have owned it for 10 years, never death wobble until now. I put whole new front end except for track bar at 289k got a slight shimmy at 309k replaced track bar now have death wobble. What's the fix? I just put new steering box and shaft and the synergy stablizer. What fixs the wobble? thanks in advance

 

[cerberusiam]

Shocks, cheap or worn shocks will put it right over the edge.

Tires, single biggest cause of DW. What make and ratings are you running? Have you rotated to see if it disappears?

 

[b.ferrara]

my tires are 19. 5 generals, ok I'm going to put new shocks and balance tires and see if that helps, thanks

 

[GrantP]

If you just replaced the track bar and are suddenly getting death wobble, make sure the bolt on the axle side of the track bar is tight. Have someone turn the wheel while you are underneath to make sure there is no up/down movement in any of the rod ends too. My personal experience has been that every time I've had death wobble in my truck I've found that the track bar is worn.

 

[JMcCoy]

Get a good mono-tube shock like Bilstein, Edlebrock, etc.

 

[HHhuntitall]

Did you use a generic auto parts store steering box? Check for slack in the end where the pitman arm attaches. Have someone turn the steering wheel tension to tension without it running, and see if there's any slack or flex in the bottom of the box. I've seen brand new reman'd ones that weren't worth having.



And check the tracking bar bolts on each end... . The tapered hole in the frame could be wallowed out at that kind of mileage, which might let the new bar move..... It doesn't take much to make it do it.....

 

[VolsFan]

agreed with everyone else above, about the track bar especially. Get under the truck while someone turns the steering wheel lock to lock and monitor both ends of the track bar, esp. the frame side tie rod end. It should be solid, no movement at all. You can also take a pair of pipe wrench channel locks and try to move all the tie rod joints up and down to detect play. I personally think the 3rd gen track bar is the way to go on these trucks, its worth the money, although you probably dont feel like going that route after replacing the whole front end, I know the feeling. I also went though two reman NAPA boxes before I got a borgeson, not sure if that would cause death wobble though, never had it, 200k counting.