SERIOUS PROBLEM/Arbitration Help

[crabjoe]

Like Kilby said, the Death Wobble is pretty common on vehicle with the solid front axle and coil springs. The usual problem is the steering stablizer, but if any of the other front suspension parts are not tight, this can also happen.



About the 2" leveling kit not causing it; well it CAN cause it. The 2" lift puts additional stress on the steering componants and will change the angles slightly.



Lets say your steering stablizer wasn't 100% but it was enough to keep a stock vehicle from getting the death wobble. Well, with the lift, you've just added additional stress and changed the geometry of the frontend, so now you have the death wobble.



After you have experianced the death wobble, you MUST replace the steering stablizer as it is now shot. Also make sure all other front end parts are tight, all angles are within specs, as anything not 100% can cause a chain reaction to cause the death wobble.



BTW, I've only experianced the Death Wobble in Jeeps and the usual fix was to replace the steering stablizer or tightening the track bar. On some vehicle, the only fix was to remove some of the lift, or go to an aftermarket dual steering stablizer setup.

 

[XcumminsX]

Or have a truck shop who really know about this stuff put the 2" leveling kit on and theyd make sure its right... . thats what i did. truck handles better than before

 

[Greg Boardman-RIP]

As for the 2" leveling kit, It did it before and it does it now. This week I am putting on Rancho 9's and a steering stabilizer to see if this will help. If not, you bet I would take another truck to make it right. The Dealer says there is not a problem and there is no fix. Even had them call Star and they said it happens on certain trucks, level or not.

 

[CLWilliams]

That's the craziest thing about this problem. Not every truck seems to have it. My 99 with a 2. 5 inch lift kit and running 35's NEVER had a hint of wobble. I put my 2" leveling kit and 315's on with 600 miles on the truck and the problem showed up at 19000 miles??????? My steering stabilizer may have something to do with it. Anyone replaced the oem unit?---and with what? ALSO, heard through one of the local rumor mills that other 2500/3500 Cummins owners were losing "front ends". ----Some with as little as 4000 miles.

 

[Northerner]

Originally posted by StephenThomas

Everyone...



We have to assume that those who responded to this poll are individuals who have a 3rd Generation truck. After all... . this is the 3rd Generation forum. I would hope that those who responded are not just having a vibration problem, but instead are experiencing the "death wobble".







My truck did it once at 80 to 85 miles per hour. I was trying the truck out and hit a small pot hole causing it to wobble violently for a few seconds before I could figure what was going on and slowed down. At the time I was having trouble with the balance on my 315,s so I assumed this as the problem and had a dynamic balance done by a very knowledgeable tech. at the Goodyear shop and that was the end of it. The balance had previously been done static and was way off outside to inside. I can still hear a throm or repeating sound from the tires at speed so I am convinced it was the poor balance and the fact that over-sized tires are more susceptible to out of balance problems. I think the pot hole,the poor balance and the speed I was doing all combined to cause the problem . Ican tell you that I was easing it up the next time I tried it. I hope this helps and wish you the best of luck.

 

[Greg Boardman-RIP]

Originally posted by Northerner

Originally posted by StephenThomas







My truck did it once at 80 to 85 miles per hour. I was trying the truck out and hit a small pot hole causing it to wobble violently for a few seconds before I could figure what was going on and slowed down. At the time I was having trouble with the balance on my 315,s so I assumed this as the problem and had a dynamic balance done by a very knowledgeable tech. at the Goodyear shop and that was the end of it. The balance had previously been done static and was way off outside to inside. I can still hear a throm or repeating sound from the tires at speed so I am convinced it was the poor balance and the fact that over-sized tires are more susceptible to out of balance problems. I think the pot hole,the poor balance and the speed I was doing all combined to cause the problem . Ican tell you that I was easing it up the next time I tried it. I hope this helps and wish you the best of luck.

This is exactly how my truck acts with stock tires.

 

[David Muench]

I voted no since my Ram has never done this, despite a 1. 5-2" front lift and the 315's. But I know what death wobble is for sure - my '97 Jeep TJ I offroaded had it for awhile. The cause there was inadequate steering stabilizer (I'll never buy a rancho stabilizer again), a loose tie rod end that ovaled out the hole in the knuckle, and 15. 5" wide bias ply swampers. Fixed the steering and stabilizer and it drove great again.



Good luck with it.

 

[RobbieH]

If you put 2" spacers on the front you changed the toe of your truck. If you did not realign the truck, you will be toed in too far and this will cause DW. I've seen it hundreds of times before.

 

[Fred Swanson]

RobbieH, that's not a sure thing, the alignment could be alright. I have the spacers, and had the alignment checked afterwards, dead on.

I do not have the death wobble, even running the 19. 5's. Never had it with the stock tires either.

There are so many variables, it could be any individual component on the front end. Best to rule out each component. Start with an alignment, then if it has done it, replace or make the dealer replace the stabilizer.

If dealer says there is no cure, make them rule everything out, stand there and watch, if they give you grief, find another dealer.



I've only had it on one vehicle, my 87 Samurai, rock crawler, but it is do to heavy offset 10 inch wide beadlocked wheels with Bias Ply Interco Swamper Boggers, and happens with less than 5 psi, at exactly 25MPH.

 

[RobbieH]

If you lift, the draglink is going to pull in on the knuckle if the front end is set up the way I think it is. If it is a Y design, lifting will pull it in, thus towing it in.



Does someone have a pic of the steering setup on the 4x4 Gen3's?

 

[Prairie Dog]

I can tell everyone that theres alignment and then theres alignment on these things. Mine constantly pulled to one side but the alignment checked out to be just barely in spec, I had them go ahead and align it as close to the middle of spec as they could and the pulling disappeared.



Scotty

 

[Fred Swanson]

It is a variation of a Y design, just not centered, say like the 76-77 Ford Broncos. I agree some may have issues, but I've seen a few trucks, and no alignment issues on any of them with the spacers.



That's why it still needs to ruled out, as a possible culprit.



My ealier reply I state mine was dead on, not close, but exact.

 

[Got HO?]

No toe change

Lifting these trucks will not change the toe setting. It will change the steering wheel straight ahead position, if anything, but toe will not change.

 

[CLWilliams]

Repairs made today

Well... ... . Dealer replaced one of the tierods and the steering stabilizer. Problem is better, but not gone. The tech said he just got back from class and although there wasn't a TSB yet, there was some discussion about problems with the rotors possibly causing this. They keep eyeing the 2" leveling kit and the 315's. One of the tech's hinted that HE thought the cause was the 315's. I informed him that there were many guys running the 2" leveling kit and 315's that weren't experiencing ANY problems. I'm taking it to an alignment shop tomorrow to have it checked even thought the dealer said they checked alignment and I somehow suspect the shocks... ... . don't really know why. That's where I'm at today. Emailed tomeygun about a new truck, but haven't heard from him at all.

 

[rbattelle]

This whole mess sure does suck! Keep at it, clwilliams!

 

[CLWilliams]

Originally posted by rbattelle

This whole mess sure does suck! Keep at it, clwilliams!

Thanks rbattelle, I appreciate the support. Any information I uncover on all of this will be posted!!

 

[CLWilliams]

WELL... ..... Had the alignment checked today after the tierod and steering stabilizer replacement. I had them realign it AND... ... ... ... still have the problem. It's no where near as bad as before, but it is still there. I don't know about you guys, but I don't feel as if I should have to track the problem down. I'm sitting here considering changing the shocks... ..... it's MY truck of course... ... ... . BUT, it should have been right to begin with!! I will probably pull the 2" leveling kit and 315' s off next! Man I hate to have to do that when others who have the same setup are not experiencing any problems. This is TOTALLY wearing me out... ..... I HATE THIS KIND OF STUFF!!!! Sorry... . needed some venting!

 

[rbattelle]

What about pursuing the buyback?

 

[Summit]

try changing the front shocks, its alot easier than the 2" blocks.

if you have any kind of dealer they should replace the front shocks without question. have you taken a tech or service manager for a ride and showed him? dont you have a "local" spot where you can make the truck do it over and over while theyre with you?, certain pot hole or bridge abutment?



my 03 dually did the wobble really bad on certain spots of my travels, theres one bridge that it was really bad on every time, it was like the front tires were bouncing violently opposite each other. it was stock. i did a buyback with dodge and never got that paticular problem fixed becuase i was getting a new truck.





btw my 04 doesnt do it and i puposely hit that same bridge a bunch of times and nothing,, go figure.



my opinion,, change the two front shocks with some good aftermarket ones.



did you change the shocks with the lift? i didnt and they "top out" if im not careful. i guess what im saying is that the shocks should be changed anyway.



good luck, keep us posted.

 

[CLWilliams]

Originally posted by rbattelle

What about pursuing the buyback?

If I had any clue about pursuing "buyback" I would. When "Yolanda" at Customer Assistance was "taking care of me" she asked "What can I do to help you TODAY?" I told her that I wanted a truck JUST like what I have without the wobble. Later she tells me that with my repair history, that I wasn't eligible for "re-purchase"... ... ... . I assume that is buyback? To muddy the waters more... ... . the dealership I purchased from is out of business now and my truck and I are "orphans". There is a dealership less than 2 miles from where I live that is attempting the repairs, but you can tell that I am LOW on the priority list. I am an easy-going guy until the "snap"... ... ..... and so far I have held it together. Dropped the truck off on Friday (keep in mind I use my truck daily in my remodeling business) morning and they didn't touch it until I showed up at 4pm to check on progress. It took them 20 minutes to change the steering stabilizer and tierod and say "drive it and let us know if it's better". I was ok until I asked the service manager why it hadn't been taken care of earlier and he said that the particular lift that can handle my truck had another vehicle on it so they had to wait until it was available. Funny thing..... the techs never lifted the truck... ..... I was there the whole time! Service manager had to leave for a meeting... ... ... I don't want this to get ugly!!!! I'm a DODGE/CUMMINS man, but they are causing me to rethink!!