2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Front end questions

[CThomsen]

97 1 ton 4X4, death wooble has returned. Track bar has Lukes Link, dealer went through front end 4 wks ago. Planning on replacing worn out tires and steering stabilizer as it is now leaking. ?I see 2 stabilizers under the front end, should I replace both, if so what is the best option. Brand and part numbers appreciated. Thanks

 

[Dane]

You need a good front end alignment. Not enough caster will cause death wobble. My 2001 had the wobble when it was near new (12K miles) The front end guy I use set the caster spec to the forward limit from the specs and no more death wobble in 28K miles

 

[AKAMAC]

Are you good with a wrench? If I were you I'd push the caster up before I threw any more money at it. Mike

 

[CThomsen]

Not real good with a wrench. Current tires have 60K+ on them and need to be replaced. I called one shop last week and was told that only the toe could be adjusted on my truck. Is this true or does he not know anything about 1 ton trucks?

 

[jrobinson2]

I called one shop last week and was told that only the toe could be adjusted on my truck. Is this true or does he not know anything about 1 ton trucks?

Not true, find another shop.

Toe, camber, and caster are all adjustable. Toe and caster are easy, camber uses replacable offset bushings at the upper ball joint and are a PITA, most shops claim camber is not adjustable just because they don't want to do it.

Caster needs to be set quite high on these trucks, like 4*+, try a search for alignment specs.



Jared

 

[avd]

97 1 ton 4X4, death wooble has returned.

I experianced the worst death wobble in my pickup that I had ever read or heard about, here is what I did to fix the probelm:



1. New tires with both sides weighted.



2. New pitman arm, steering shock, tie rod



3. Alignment with 3 degrees positive caster (go to a GOOD shop, they will do it no probelm, cost me about 80 bucks)



4. Install the solid steel industries track bar braket with new 03 track bar (SSI list of dealers and instructions on installation in TDR issue 46)



5. Install SSI darins steering stabalizer (installation instructions in TDR isse 47).



My truck drives like an 03 now. I have hit many "death wobble bumps" since and never had a probelm.



email me and I will try to find part numbers.