2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Frequent "Death Wobble".....

[TSaxon]

Hey Everyone, I was looking for a final fix for the dreaded "death wobble" which has happened to me three times in the past couple of weeks. Like most, it ALWAYS happens at high speeds (73 mph) and after I hit a decent sized bump (love those PA potholes). My most recent one happend with my wife and four year old daughter in the truck. I have FINALLY had enough! It scared them both half to death.



My truck is a 1999, 2500 short bed 4X4. It has about 270,000 miles on it.



Is there actually a legimate solution to this problem? The truck was paid off over five years ago, but it is PERFECT for work and I'd HATE to get rid of it. I may regret saying this - but I want to get it fixed, no matter what the cost. I read up on the Luke's Link, steering boxes, steering stablizers, etc. I don't know which "fix" - or which combination of "fixes" is the solution.



Also, can anyone recommend a place to have the work done? I am looking for someone top notch. Currently, my work travels included Central & Western PA, Ohio, Kentucky, West Virginia & Michigan.



Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thank you in advance.

 

[KYOUNG]

death wobble

Front shocks and a new steering stabilizer will make a big difference

 

[Yo Hoot]

Do you have any lift or suspension mods?



If not and it didn't wobble for the first 100,000 miles+ than my guess is you need a good once over with new parts.



If you have a leveling kit I STRONGLY advise dropping the stabilizer bar.

 

[Andy Redmond]

Contact Enterprise Engine in OH. They are a stocking dealer for the Solid Steel Products I wrote about in Issue 46,47.



I've been over 10K with no death wobble. Are other good products out there yes, but I'm pleased with the Solid Steel products to date.





Andy

 

[RacinDuallie]

I would start with the steering stabilizer(s). I had the Death Woobles too. I now have dual shocks per tire in front, and a dual shock steering stabilizer kit- That dual shock stabilizer solved my highway death wobbles from the potholes.
You have not seen potholes til you drive into N. Y. and enjoy their Baja rated roadways!!

just my . 02cents... .

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

I would start with the steering stabilizer(s). I had the Death Woobles too. I now have dual shocks per tire in front, and a dual shock steering stabilizer kit- That dual shock stabilizer solved my highway death wobbles from the potholes.

You have not seen potholes til you drive into N. Y. and enjoy their Baja rated roadways!!



just my . 02cents... .

No kidding, I was just talking about your fine NY roads on another thread

Toasted my shocks.



TSaxon do you have stock or aftermarket wheels? Non stock wheels usually have incorrect offset which can contribute to the problem.



Vaughn

 

[RacinDuallie]

No kidding, I was just talking about your fine NY roads on another thread
Toasted my shocks.

TSaxon do you have stock or aftermarket wheels? Non stock wheels usually have incorrect offset which can contribute to the problem.

Vaughn

Man... They're not my fine roads..... I'm a visitor here too 6 days a week.....
We call these here roads the Northern Baja Trails... .
When the road crew patches the potholes they patch them so much that now we have whoop de doo's instead of holes..... Wasting our tax dollars for sure- and my tax guy wanted to know why I wanted to deduct my frontend parts bill from my taxes!!! Dang it!! It didn't work out:-laf

 

[J Shocik]

I had the same "death wobble", as it scared me half to death. I stopped it by replacing the tracking bar and the hydraulic stabilizer ( shimmy shock ). I don't remember what issue it was in, but there was a story on an adapter to install the tracking bar from an '03, which is a much better design.

 

[JSchenck]

I had the same problem with my 96. There is a TSB regarding the problem. I'm not sure of the specific years it covers. The factory fix is to add a second steering stabilizer. I did that and havn't had a problem since...

 

[MBreyer]

Tsaxon,



Have you been able to fix the truck?



~Matt

 

[TSaxon]

Death Wobble Update....

Hey All. Just a quick update on this issue for me.....



First - Belive it or not, I HAVE driven those NY roads quite a bit. I made the trip from Erie (PA) to Massena (NY) once a month for over five years! That is across I-90 to Syracuse, then 3 hours up I-81. Total of about 8 hours round trip. So I know of what you speak!



Second - I just had the following work done TODAY at Enterprise Engine in Thornville, OH.....



Track Bar Bracket Upgrade Kit

Steering Stabilizer

New Track Bar ('03)

New Rancho 9000 Shocks (front & back)

Total = $1,020 (I bought the shocks myself for $275 at Sam's Offroad)



Let's just say that the 200 mile trip DOWN to Enterprise, and the 200 mile trip BACK from Enterprise were EXTREMELY different. The truck handles GREAT now. The steering is much tighter. I essentially went 73 MPH the whole way home and did not have any problems. I did hit a couple of bumps (at speed), but no wobble issues.



Now, "the rest of the story..... " My Father-In-Law is getting a great truck! Fortunately or unfortunately, I bought a new 2005 Silverado Crew Cab with the Duramax/Allison last week. GM is giving those trucks away, and I figured I'd take one. :-laf



Anyway, I sold the Dodge to my Father-In-Law and that truck is going to do wonders for him! He is currently using a late-80's Suburban with a 454 to pull his 32' Holiday Rambler. He has NO IDEA how that Cummins is going to haul. Since we have borrowed the camper in the past - I do. That truck was MADE to pull that puppy.



So, for now - I certainly recommend the Enterprise Engine upgrade. I will update the post as my Father-In-Law works the truck.



Happy rambling!



TS