Has anyone had the "Death" Wobble on the 03 & 04's

[amsoilman]

I just experienced the Death Wobble on my 03 CTD 2500 4X4, and I'll tell you, it was NOT FUN in any way! I was traveling in the inside lane of I-15 northbound and was just approaching an overpass, and it happened. My speed was 75 MPH, and I was not carrying any load. I have traveled over this same spot on many occasions, and never had a problem. I now have 34,000 on the odometer. Dealer looked at it and saidEVERYTHING IS GOOD... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... . NO PROBLEMS FOUND.

I have reported this to the NHTSA. If anyone has experienced this perhaps you should also report it www.nhtsa.gov





Wayne

amsoilman

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

AHHhhhh - the many delights of a 4x4...

 

[Yo Hoot]

I experienced it yesterday on the PA Turnpike driving home from Mason-Dixon getogether. I run 35" tires but before adding the two inch leveling kit I drove from eastern Pa to Muncie Indiana and back with no hint whatsoever. That's 600 miles each way. Since I installed the leveling kit I noticed at 75 mph or so the tendancy to shake a little over harder bumps. Then on the way home I hit one harder bump and it went off. I had to hit the brakes and slowed down it stopped. Didn't have to pull over, just slow dow but it was constant then just stopped abruptly once I got below a certain speed I guess around 40 mph.



In my case I think I created the tendancy by adding the leveling kit. I think the four link, coil sprung front axle requires some special treatment. I think dropping the axle with the leveling kit without dropping the link attach points at the frame aggrivates it.



I also am wondering if it not necessarily a "wobble" but more of a side to side up and down axle hop that the shocks are unable to dampen. Or more complex, combining the two, steering wobble X wheel hop. My first order of business is stiffer front shocks to control that aspect of dampening.



I also would like to be able to purchase or make 2" drop brackets to put the links back into stock geometry. Ones that mount to the link attach points at the frame.

 

[amsoilman]

Yo Hoot

I don't know if the 2" leveling blocks causes this or not, but my Grandson's truck does the same thing on a continual basis! He has less miles than I do, and he just took his truck to an independent alignment shop for an alignment check. They told him the driver's side wheel bearing was worn out.



He then took it to the Dodge dealer, and they replaced the bearing, but said it was not "worn out" when they finally got it removed. They had to use a torch, to get it out, so it was damaged after they removed it.



He has only had it back from the dealer for two days, so he has not experienced the "death wobble" as yet since the bearing was replaced.



Wayne

amsoilman

 

[Yo Hoot]

After just going through reading a few other posts on the issue, another thing I will do is is adjust the caster some. When dropping the axle it messes with caster. Could be a little too much.



Had a Chevy van back in the 70's, 2wd independant suspension. Had the death wobble really bad at 20,000 miles... the fix was adding a stabilizer shock. I think duals would be in order.



Here is an excellent article on Dodge 4x4 alignment...



http://dodgeram.org/tech/specs/00_steer_specs.html

 

[4xquadrod]

I don't want to jinx myself but I have 30,000 miles on a slighty lifted truck with 35's and my truck is solid and smooth from a roll to 100 +.

 

[Greg Boardman-RIP]

My truck has had a death wobble since new. The first time I took it in, it only had 3000 miles on it. the dealer has replaced most of the front end parts ( track bar, steering box, a ball joint, and shocks. ) It still does it once and a while. It also makes a pretty good clunk in the front end while turned hard to the left. I think this might have something to do with it. I have given up on the dealer and am going to T-rex suspension soon. No worries then, just solid performance.



Greg

 

[turbinesurgun]

get the front end aligned i had the same problem after putting leveling kit on had it aligned never happened again

 

[Yo Hoot]

Originally posted by turbinesurgun

get the front end aligned i had the same problem after putting leveling kit on had it aligned never happened again

Thanks... . I think that's the answer in my case since the issue started after the leveling kit install.

 

[JARichard]

I had this problem on a Super Duty 2 wd PS. They added a steering stabilizer and it never happened again. We already have the stabilizer and it still does it. HMMMM!!! Do we need two?Has any one ever completely cured their problem without going through a complete front end change such as Trex?

 

[Kilby]

Even though the steering stabilizer looks good, check it anyhow. I've experienced the wonderful death wobble in a couple of different Jeeps (same suspension design) as well as my '03. On the '03, I was going to replace the steering stabilizer with one that looked cool but it allowd the DW. Put the OEM stab back on and has been good these past 10K miles.



Soft shocks, loose wheel bearings, loose track bar bolts, bad alignment (caster) or bad tires (or out of balance) can be other causes of the DW. Good luck!