2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Front End Oscillations

[JCoombs]

This happens at different speeds and different bump sizes... When a bump is hit, mainly on one side, the front end bounces from tire to tire getting worse until I slow to almost a stop. It doesnt happen on every bump or at any specific speed. happened the other day at highway speed and it felt like the truck was going to desintegrate? anyone else have this happen to them?

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1997 3/4 ton, EXT cab, LWB, 4x4, 5 speed

 

[HLEschenko]

I believe you're describing the death wobble. I cured mine with new rims, the stock rims had alot of run out. Haven't had a problem since. There's alot of reading on the death wobble subject.

 

[Dave M]

Here is my story and maybe it will help you. I think I finally cured my death wobble last weekend. I've been fighting this for 2 years. For me it started just as you described it. If I hit a bump on the freeway the front would feel like it was wobbling side to side and would not stop till I slowed way down. It's scarey.



I loooked at the front end and found a loose track bar so I put a lukes link on it. After a few months wobble was back so I put new Bilstein shocks front and back and steering stabilizer shocks and poly control arm bushings and I had it aligned. Put 6 new tires on (BFG TA) and then the new right front tire wore out in 2 months. I had a bad outside tie rod end replaced because the boot was torn (not sure if it was bad). Put another new right tire on and it worn out in 2 months.



Found a good frame alignment shop and they replaced a right front offset cylinder in the steering knuckle to allow 4-4. 5 degrees caster. That has cured my tire wear to this day (about 1 year ago). But wobble came back.



I started to really get tired of fighting this so I put in (all at the same time) a PSC steering gear, DSS steering gear stabilizer, new SS 3rd gen TB bracket and new SS adjustable 3rd gen TB. I felt the Lukes Link on the TB seemed to keep getting loose so I eliminated it with a new TB.



A few months ago the death wobble is back but only when hitting the brakes. So, I checked the torque on everything I installed under the front end and found nothing loose. Last weekend I replaced both front rotors with NAPA drilled and slotted performance rotors. The old rotors were cracked badly, the caliper pins were stuck and not sliding so I replaced the pins and sleeves and rubber boots and new NAPA heavy duty brake pads.



Woopeee... . The wobble is gone.



Get under the truck while someone has the engine running and moves the steering wheeel back and forth and look for any slop in any of the tie rods and track bar. There should be zero play in both ends of the track bar. The TB is a common problem with our trucks but any slop in any front end part is suspect.



A bad tire or rims could cause it so swap tires around to elimate that. Bad or loose shocks could cause it. All I know to do is replace them. The steering shaft, pitman arm or steering gear, control arm bushings, sway bar end links, calipers, rotors, ball joints, hub (bearings) can cause it. Find a good frame alignment shop for your alignments.



Good luck,

Dave

 

[vssman]

I've had that too. It's the death wobble. Something is loose in the front end. Have someone turn the wheel just until it loads the steering (truck off) while your under the truck looking at & feeling for any looseness in the steering parts. Also look at the track bar joint. Then check the steering column I shaft for play and the steering box. The pitman arm should rotate and not move side to side. Check the ball joints by raising the truck and putting a bar under the tire. Finally, start the truck and put it in gear. with the brakes applied, shift from D to R and look at the control arm bushings for movement. Finally, have it aligned and make sure they put in a good amount of caster in the truck. Good luck.