2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission I've got the shakes!!

[#crnxr]

Whenever I slow down the steering wheel begins to shake and oscillate (sp?) left to right pretty violently. It only happens while slowing down, not at cruising speed. While coming to a stop the steering wheel seems to 'hunt' back and forth. Any ideas would be great since this is becoming a real problem. I run 265/75 R16 instead of the stock 245/75 R16.



-Kyle

 

[Howard Durand]

Does it occur only when the brakes are applied? If so, you may have a warped rotor.

Otherwise, check all of the front end components such as ball joints and tie rods.

 

[Trizae]

know the feeling

If the rotors turn out o. k. ,,,,, Check the track Bar,,,,, A warn track bar will cause the truck to try to jerk the steering wheel out of you hand under braking

 

[#crnxr]

Yes, it only happens while braking. I could feel it slightly when I test drove and bought the truck 4 months ago, but seems to be getting worse lately. I'm suspension illiterate, so is there a good component diagram with parts labeling? Thanks for the help.



-Kyle

 

[JoshPeters]

If you are laying under the truck looking at the parts...



Tie Rods: all the way out at the wheel with a ball and socket joint

Track Bar: from the Front Axle (passenger side) to the Frame (drivers side)

Gear Box: What moves the steering linkage

Steering Shock: the shock attached to the steering linkage

Drag Link: the link from one side of the steering(tie rods) to the other



Hopefully this helps. I can only go by mental pictures right now.



Josh

 

[NVR FNSH]

Do you feel a pulsation in the brake pedal when the shaking occurs? If you don't feel the pulsation it's not the rotors. Check the items mentioned above and the wheel bearings. If you don't find anything that is obviously worn out have the alignment checked/set to the 'brent' specs on www.dodgeram.org



The track bar on my '00 was shot and there was no shaking - I run 315/75 tires.



Brian

 

[#crnxr]

No, the brake pedal doesn't vibrate or shake. The problem seems to get worse as the speed decreases. By the time I'm coming to a stop the steering wheel is rotating a couple inches each direction from the shake.

 

[NVR FNSH]

Under braking the front suspension is compressing and this results in decreased caster. Sounds like you should get the alignment set AFTER verifying that you don't have any bad parts.



You might want to try rotating your tires to see if that helps.





Brian

 

[chrleb1]

I had this same problem and got it fixed last week. I thought it was the rotors also (turned out to be right), but i would turn them and still have the problem. Found out that once they are warped they will stay warped. Meaning you can turn them, but they warp again the first time they get warm. . Your best bet to buy at set of rotors that are made in the USA. Some rotors that are made overseas will need to be turned before installing (they don't tell you that, but it turns out to be true). It worked for me, so you could try it.

 

[rhirsch]

I have had what sounds like this problem twice before; both times it was a combination of 1) worn track bar, plus 2) worn out steering dampner, and because of the first two 3) tires had to be rotated because of the scalloping wear caused to them. Try all three fixes if you still are having trouble. By the way, the Rancho steering stabilizer is way better than stock.