2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Death Wooble

[analog]

I converted to inverted T, 3rd gen track bar, and DSS after my first DW incident maybe 5000 miles ago. I was recently driving my truck out in SE Oregon, and had DW after hitting a particularly rough cattle guard at about 65mph. When doing all the front end work, I had the truck aligned to factory specs by Les Schwabs, so my next thing to check is the camber setting. So, DW can happen even with a pretty much brand new and upgraded front end. No steering stabilizer on mine.

 

[Newf Limo]

Had it last year on my truck. Every time I hit a bump or frost heave, the Death wobble would start. I had to accelerate or deccerate to get out of it. The accelerate method requires a bit of...commitment.



Any how, I installed a new Trac Bar (Moog from Car Quest). Problem solved. It was amazing how bad the ball joint had gotten. The truck did not act that way with the previously worn out trac bar though. I, thankfully, installed a DSS Steering box stabilizer a few years back, so my steering box didn't take a beating.



To check: With engine running and a responsible person at the wheel, have them rock the steering wheel back and forth (1/4 to 1/2 turns) while you look at the front suspension from in front of the truck. Look at the ball joint where it attaches from the frame to the steering link. It is a long bar (approx. 3' long). You will probably notice play in the bushings where it is bolted to the frame and a lot of ball joint play on the other end.



Hope this helps.

 

[KLauber]

Yes it can!

I know there are alot of Threads on the DW but they seem to all be from a few yr ago. This just happened to me the other day in my 95 2500 while doing 65mph. I will not be driving it until I get the problem straighted out. I have an 04 2500 aswell. First question is there a no BS fix for this on the 95. Second can it happen on the 04. Thanks

Happened on my 03 at 70 MPH, scary! Put new shocks on and fixed that problem!



Ken

 

[Rangerproof]

Sorry for taking so long to post my results. The truck is a third truck using it mostly to go to the scrape yard and plowing snow. I've had the problem fix (I Think). My Trac Bar, Stering stabilizer, and tie rods were all bad. I put new BFG's on her for the winter and had a front end alignment done. There was a bushing of some kind missing so they installed that aswell. Seems alot tighter to me with no wobble. I've only put a few hundred miles on it but winter is coming here in Philly so she should see some more use. Thanks for all the help. Hey I need a good garage outside of Philadelphia that knows these Cummings motors. I also think I'm going to need a trans at some point in the near future cause I am starting to have issues. I live west of the city near the King of Prussia area. Thanks again

 

[Rangerproof]

Hey SRath yes thats what I was asking. If there has been any updated info on the wobble issue. Thanks

 

[hilda]

Death Wobble with new parts

Now I am getting the infamous Death Wobble all the time. As you can see in my signature I have replaced almost my entire front end, I have maybe 10k miles on all these new parts. I never had the DW with all the old worn out parts. I'm going to get her in for a front end alignment this week and see if that works.