Archived Driveline Death Rattle

[EBottema]

Hey guys-



I was on my way home from AFE factory and i had a major problem on the freeway. I already know my driver side engine mount is broken. However, i was driving about 65 mph in 5th gear and i hit a good bump on the freeway. . The truck was still in fifth gear and every wheel started bouncing up and down the whole steering shook and the whole truck shook really violently. I quickly through the clutch in and put the hazards on and when i got slowed down on the freeway to about 30mph it stopped and the rest of the ride home was fine... . It felt like i was in a honda and going over a continuious thing of railroad tracks at 60mph. It scared the crap out of me. Anyways, any ideas what could have happened? My best guess if the other mount gave and the driveline got bound up





Erik

 

[mikel]

Do a search on "Death Wobble" You'll have reading material for days.



Mike

 

[EBottema]

I doubt it is the death wobble becuase it doesnt happen any other time when driving. no vibration in steering wheel whatsoever... Am i wrong?

 

[bramage]

It is the death wobble. Check ALL front end components including shocks and have your alignment checked. There are many different causes for this problem but the track bar would be a good place to start. Your track bar is probably shot (most are) and poor shocks or steering dampener or any number of other front end problems will just compound it. Be very thorough or the problem will persist. Good luck.

 

[EBottema]

Should i get rid of this truck? or is the problem something I can fix, have people been sucsessful when battling it?

 

[tp0d]

Get a lukes link for your trackbar, check your upper and lower balljoints, check all your steering linkage. There is an article here somewhere with some special alignment settings for our trucks, you may want to have your truck set that way.



I put a lukes link on my bar and a new steering stabilizer (bout 115 total) and the truck drives great now. . My balljoints have a little movement, so i`ll have to change those soon... The death wobble isnt as big as some have made it out to be... dont lose hope. .



good luck



-j

 

[crabman]

Front End Specifications

Here are the Specifications, per Brent of previous discussions (posts) on frontend alignments. I printed out the info and put it in my file.

crabman





All specs below are in degrees:



Left Wheel / Right Wheel

----------------------------

Caster 3. 2 3. 5

Cross Caster -. 3



Camber -. 10 -. 10

Cross Camber 0. 0



Toe-standard specs, (maybe a little out if you tow a lot, they will pull in as the front end lifts up).

Brent

ASE Certified

Gold Certified Chrysler Tech

 

[FHauk]

check to see if radial belt didn't let loose on a tire. Had the same problem happen to me. Would be driving along on the xpress and all of a sudden I'd think the drive shaft let lose. Checked it , that's not it. Over the course of a year it happened 3-5 times. Can't find the problem. Scarry, that death rattle. Guy at work told me to check tires. Ended up replacing them. Belt let loose inside a tire. Hope that takes care of your problem.

 

[lcrawford]

this is my first reply check your caster in 4 wheel drive models that is most likely your problem

 

[EBottema]

It has not done the death shake in a week. It sure scared me! anyways, next week or so i will put new ball joints, trackbar, and re-seal the box. Hopefully after the alignment, it will be cured... Stay turned... Why is the original dodge alignment spec in the chiltons manual not good and why are we using a different specs?



Erik

 

[Bob4x4]

Eric hold off on the track bar purchase there is a new product just hitting the market. Come to the bbq on the 12th I am hopping to have a few with me



Bob

 

[EBottema]

Hey bob-



i will do that... what is this new design all about?



Making 2rd gen fit a 2nd gen?



hehe





Thanks

Erik

 

[Bob4x4]

Bracketry is to make 3rd gen track bar fit 2nd gen truck .



Nice & thick, powder coated,no drilling.



Bob

 

[EBottema]

Now, i havent read much on the 3rd gen bar in a 2nd gen. why will this cure the problem?



erik

 

[Bob4x4]

No rod end to wear out!



Bob