Inducted into the Death Wobble club tonight (long post, sorry...)

[DIESELMAN]

Since this is the Long Post, Post... .



Remember Ford tried to solve this with its Y adaptation which works like crap. Even Leaf Spring suspensions can have bump steer, but the suspensions generaly aren't as active, they don't have as much travel.



Some more history, Fords original F-150 single link for locating the front axle used to work great, it was real beefy, but the Caster angle changed when the axle was lowered (lifted), so they needed drop brackets for the arm, which needed to be parallel with the ground.



The Dodge QuadraLink has a link above and below, that are parallel with each other. This keeps the Caster angle constant as the axle is lowered (lift kit) and in use. Since the link lengths are fixed though, the axle moves rearward in an arc around the frame mounting points. On 4" and higher lifts the axle actually looks to be pushed back, so the links are replaced with longer links relocating the axle under the center of the wheelwell. On higher lifts, or those that are articulating (higher lifts cause the arms to strike the frame mounting horns ) one arm is relocated to a drop bracket on the frame, but since the arms need to be parallel with each other to maintain caster angle, the axle end also needs a relocating bracket. If the arms aren't parallel, then the Caster angle will change with axle movement.



My point is, if you want a solid axle truck, we have the absoloute best solution for a coil over solid axle suspension that can be engineered, it can be made stronger, it can be made higher, it can be made to handle better, but the links and concepts all remain the same, only improved.

 

[BStoecker]

I experienced the dreaded DW tonight on the way into work. Keep in mind this is a stock truck with NO mods to the tires or driveline at all. I was driving on a straight stretch about 60-65 mph and hit some roguth pavement. Then all H*** broke loose. The front end was bouncing right and left, and it was bucking front to rear as well. The tire pressure was still set for a full load at 60 front/75 rear. Would running the tire pressure this high contribute to this??? I only have about 9,200 miles on the truck at this point.

 

[rbattelle]

I experienced the dreaded DW tonight on the way into work. Keep in mind this is a stock truck with NO mods to the tires or driveline at all. I was driving on a straight stretch about 60-65 mph and hit some roguth pavement. Then all H*** broke loose. The front end was bouncing right and left, and it was bucking front to rear as well. The tire pressure was still set for a full load at 60 front/75 rear. Would running the tire pressure this high contribute to this??? I only have about 9,200 miles on the truck at this point.

That's the first I've heard of DW occuring on a bone-stock truck. Scary.

 

[BStoecker]

That's the first I've heard of DW occuring on a bone-stock truck. Scary.

Luckily I know what it feels like and got it under control quickly. Weird thing is that this is the second stock vehicle that I have had this happen in. My '98 Grand Cherokee had it happen as well. That turned out to be caused by out of an out of balance front tire.



I gotta check my tire pressures before I head home in the morning. I just drove to Taco Bell and had a tough time turning the wheels to the left. Either something is broken, or I have a tire with really low presure in it.

 

[TexBamBam]

This was not just one truck but several..... 04's.

 

[TexBamBam]

That leads me to believe that there are more than one problem working here... . the tire thing and the bushing thing... the lift... shocks... . man the list is long.

 

[GWaggoner]

I have an 03 swb 2500 4x4 that has a 2" leveling kit with 315s and 9000s with the incab adjust kit. My truck started the DW immediately after installing the 2" kit which leads me to believe that either the caster change is the culprit, or there was a problem existing that was not noticeable until the caster was changed. I am making some adjustable lower arms to play with the caster, as well as an adjustable panhard to correct for axle centering. On my truck, the DW is definately made worse when the caster is lessened. I will keep this posted on my progress.

 

[BStoecker]

The other night I checked my tire pressure and my front was down at 40 psi and about 70 in the rear. I set the pressures at 50 front and 50 rear. The book says 50 front and 40 rear, but that seems too low in the back for me. Even with the tires aired pretty close to spec, the front seems VERY loose now. On uneven pavement, I can feel the front end wobbling, just not enough to loose control like the other night. Something has loosened up severely in only 9400 miles. I think it's time for a visit to the dealership to have the front end evaluated.

 

[WM-300]

CoastyAV8R;

My 2003, quad cab, HO/6 speed is totally stock in all respects. Its more stable that any turck I have driven. I have 18,760 miles on it with over 10K miles pulling my trailer (GCVW 19,500). Nary once a problem.



WM-300