How do you know if you have the death wobble

[jraker]

I just put new tires on my truck. It only has 20k miles and I opted for a larger size 295/70/17. These are AT tires and not mud terrain. Any way on the way to the alignment shop I noticed the wheel moved a little back and forth (very slight) at any speed. I don't remember if it did this before, however it still does this after the alignment. Is this just the larger tire needing a bigger steering stabilizer? The movement is very minor but I have read about people refering to the death wobble without knowing what it really is so I thought I would ask. I was thinking about putting on a DSS. Is this something to worry about. My 01 had so much play in the wheel I never noticed anything like this.



Joel

 

[bigflatdaddy]

I experenced the death wobble in my 03'. Believe me, if it happened, you would know it. Essentially triggered by a highway bump (usually where the bridge meets the roadway), my truck would go into an absolutely violent hammering of the front end. I knew it wasn't due to suspension as I replaced stock with a Kore Performance system when new. I was running 285's (I think) at the time. After about 20 new ball joints, and 1000 miles out of warranty, Dodge decided to re-engineer the steering linkage. Once it was installed, ALL of my problems went away... I'm running 305's now and still have no issue.

 

[ParsonsDRW]

Nothing "very slight" about the death wobble

 

[Motorhead]

Sounds like you have a tire with a bad radial ply. Go back to your tire store. You can also find out which one is wobbling by trading the front with the back on one side only. Drive and if it is still there then swap the other side and see if it goes away.

 

[SierraRam]

If you need to ask you don't have it, it will scare you to death.

 

[JKreiss]

I second SierraRam, if you need to ask, you don't have it. Joel, based by the tire size it sounds like you might have "D" rated tires. What tires did you get and what's the weight rating. I ran D's on mine for a while, didn't think much of it. When i went from 315's down to 295'd i got death wobble. It felt like when the 37's on my old power ram blew out. It shook the truck apart and dang near rattled my brain outta my head.

It could just be a tire out of balance, or you could be in need of a DSS (they never hurt). I'd get the tires checked out first, have them rotated and re-balanced then go from there. If anything is slight or subtle, you don't have "death wobble". Keep us posted as there is A LOT of experience on this board on the subject. Lots to read too.

Joe

 

[gtoli]

I experienced Death Wobble in my International Scout. All I can say is it is an experience you will never forget and won't be in a hurry to repeat.

 

[Ross]

You'll know!

When you suddenly find that you are need of a clean pair of underwear, you have just experienced the "Death Wobble. " You'll see your life flash before your eyes, you'll swear that the front end is bouncing two feet off the ground, and it will feel like the front wheels are going lock-to-lock at about 25 times per second.



You'll know. If you haven't been this terrified, then you haven't experienced it... . YET.

 

[JerryNelson]

So what is the death wobble ? Is tires or steering linkage.

 

[Road Dog]

So what is the death wobble ? Is tires or steering linkage.

Yes.



Any slop in the system -- steering linkage, suspension, tire sidewalls -- can allow an uncontrolled oscillation of the front tires.