2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Death Wobble

[Beck]

I have just renewed my membership and haven't had time to read related treads, all I can say is that what ever it cost to fix is small in comparison to my families safety, I have had about 4 death wobbles in the last year, and its flat out scary going 60 mph on the highway, What should I buy to fix this huge problem ?

 

[SnoKing]

Replace all worn front end tie rod ends, ball joins, bearings, tires and shocks. Install a third gen track bar kit and steering box brace. Dial in a bit more caster. SNOKING

 

[Cummins12V98]

Had it happen on my 98 ONCE! That was scary. I did the DSS 3rd gen adjustable track bar and steering box brace and it never happened again.

 

[fest3er]

Death wobble is, very simply, a resonance that sets up in the steering and suspension; it is caused by components that have too much play or are not stiff enough.

Replace track bar and all steering components that show any signs of being loose. Replace suspension bushings if over 100k miles on them. Verify that there are no cracks in the frame where steering components are mounted. And probably most important, air up the front tires or replace the tires with some that have stiffer sidewalls.

If you think the suspension bushings are good--even if you 'tested' them with a crowbar, mount a video camera under the truck and aim it at the bushings, start recording, and drive. I guarantee you'll see the links moving around, even if a simple static test shows no motion.

 

[fest3er]

Death wobble is, very simply, a resonance that sets up in the steering and suspension; it is caused by components that have too much play or are not stiff enough.

Replace track bar and all steering components that show any signs of being loose. Replace suspension bushings if over 100k miles on them. Verify that there are no cracks in the frame where steering components are mounted. And probably most important, air up the front tires or replace the tires with some that have stiffer sidewalls.

If you think the suspension bushings are good--even if you 'tested' them with a crowbar, mount a video camera under the truck and aim it at the bushings, start recording, and drive. I guarantee you'll see the links moving around, even if a simple static test shows no motion.

 

[Road Dog]

Tire with a lot of sidewall flex can add to death wobble. Some LT tires really aren't.

 

[SAndreasen]

I have never ever had death wobble never even heard of anybody experience it around there I'm glad I've never had to deal with it

 

[Beck]

Thanks guy's, most of you have forgotten more about these trucks than I know, do you folks think I should replace the steering box while I'm at it, I'm at 260,000 miles, my mechanic did tighten the steering up, I believe there's an adjuster on it somewhere if I remember correctly, also,where should I purchase my steering box brace and 3rd gen track bar from ?

 

[BK]

I've never had it either, and have kept up on my front end.
over the last 5-7 years as I've found worn parts and replaced:
Uni-bearings.
Tie-rod.
Trackbar, went to a gen3 kit and adjustable bar.
Steering damper.


Don't overlook the uni-bearings and steering damper, they wont fix it alone, but can contribute.

Anything in the front end can contribute to it.

We found on my buddies truck that the steering box brace, wont fit the new heavier duty replacement steering boxes Geno sells.
So if you are thinking about a new steering box , and the upgrade is what your eyeing, don't get the steering box brace, it only fits on the stock steering box.

 

[JR]

I wouldn't replace the steering box just for the sake of it unless you are having problems. You'll drop more than enough coin fixing what's worn, trust me
The steering box brace will help low speed tracking but in reality does little at high speeds and won't eliminate any death wobble on its own. I added one just to stiffen up the front (I have an aftermarket bumper and 34" tires) but the main thing is to get everything thats loose replaced and keep everything good and tight.

 

[CRodi]

If you decide you want to add a steering box brace in the future and need to replace the steering box as well, red head steering boxes are a good alternative. They're high quality rebuilds and identical to your old one, where as the new Borgeson steering boxes that Geno sells are physically bigger.

 

[SnoKing]

http://sourceautomotive.biz/2ndgenssi.aspx On the West Coast! SNOKING

 

[Hootguy]

i switched out all the parts you mention and added everything mentioned,,and still the death wobble would happen,,it stopped when i disconected the sway bar last year,,hasn't happened since,,and in talking to other guys,,a lot of them took the sway bar right out,,doesn't seem to affect a damn thing,,,

 

[VolsFan]

I've had two 2nd gen dodges and never had death wobble and drove a pile of others with horrible steering and didn't experience it and glad I haven't! When I got my 01 it was all over the place. Put a 3rd gen adjustable trackbar, rebuilt all tierods with Luke's links, redhead gearbox, had grease able moog balljoints on it already and now drives likes its on rails. I really think that most of death wobble is contributed to the inadequate stock track bar