Steering Stabilizer

[tjm]

Experienced the Death Wobble about a year after installing the thuren track bar. Next upgrade would be the steering stabilizer which right now is a bilstein.

anyone know where I can find an equivalent to this? These are on back order everywhere with no delivery date in sight

https://www.ridefox.com/product.php...=Ram&model=2500&year=2013&position=Stabilizer

 

[Yo Hoot]

Can't answer on the stabilizer.. that is what I have on mine. I had dw really bad years ago. Long story short, after replacing the steering box with the huge delphi unit I can't make it dw if I try.

 

[Ozymandias]

Alignment is done to Thuren specs?

 

[tjm]

Alignment is done to Thuren specs?

It was 1 year ago.

 

[Ozymandias]

..Was done to Thuren specs then?

And no, a steering stabilizer is not a cure for DW, maybe a band aid if even.
It's always worn parts, bad alignment, or lift kits.

 

[tjm]

..Was done to Thuren specs then?

And no, a steering stabilizer is not a cure for DW, maybe a band aid if even.
It's always worn parts, bad alignment, or lift kits.

Yep, aligned to Thuren specs. Stock tire size, michelens

Using this as a guide.
https://www.thurenfabrication.com/pages/death-wobble-explained

I may have time to jack up the front end this weekend and see if anything has come loose. When I replaced the Track bar with the Thuren model I also replaced the steering linkage to the T style.

About to hit 100K miles on this truck.

 

[Ozymandias]

Which let me lift my hands, with all that done you really shouldn't have DW anymore. I've no clue why it still happens then.

I run the same setup* and never had it, and I've hit countless bad potholes at high speed through my travels.

*aside from Carli Ball joints.

 

[tjm]

Well I've order the Fox Steering stabilizer, New fox shocks all the way around as my bilstiens are 16 years old and the new 6 bolt dodge steering box just to upgrade. We'll see if it makes a difference.

 

[Jim W]

What about your ball joints have they been replaced yet?

I have updated my entire front steering linkage with the ball joints also except the steering box. The steering box should not allow the DW syndrome if the steering linkage is tight, and the ball joints are good.

A steering stabilizer will mask the DW until the stabilizer fails do the input loads of the steering movement. You may need to replace it every year until you address all of the steering components ensuring they are to spec.

I have used solid axles 4-wheel drive vehicles since the early 1970's and if the ball joints go bad than DW will occur, and a new steering stabilizer just mask the issue.

 

[tjm]

What about your ball joints have they been replaced yet?

I have updated my entire front steering linkage with the ball joints also except the steering box. The steering box should not allow the DW syndrome if the steering linkage is tight, and the ball joints are good.

A steering stabilizer will mask the DW until the stabilizer fails do the input loads of the steering movement. You may need to replace it every year until you address all of the steering components ensuring they are to spec.

I have used solid axles 4-wheel drive vehicles since the early 1970's and if the ball joints go bad than DW will occur, and a new steering stabilizer just mask the issue.

I'll be checking them tomorrow.

 

[Darkbloodmon]

EMF rod ends has a really well put together video explaining death wobble, Link is for the second video in the series going over the box. I would recommend adjusting your sector shaft on the steering box. My OEM box with 249K was pretty loose, I didn't have death wobble before but the amount of play in the box would've suggested other wise. My 03 is stock height, stock tires, a Synergy T link, and EMF ball joints. No steering brace, Factory drag link/track bar with OEM bushings.

 

[tjm]

@Jim W : Ball joints ok. No lateral movement. A tiny bit north and south.
@Darkbloodmon : Interesting video. So according to EMF the intermediate shaft bushing and the sector shaft could have to much pay in them.

 

[tjm]

Death wobble again just a few minutes ago. Passing a file truck, hitting 75. Small bump. Wobble.

Driving at 60 now till I figure this out.

 

[Darkbloodmon]

@Darkbloodmon : Interesting video. So according to EMF the intermediate shaft bushing and the sector shaft could have to much pay in them.

Aye, I tightened up my box a bit and it was pretty remarkable how much of a difference it made. There is a previous video where they intentionally induce death wobble and take some observations.

 

[Ozymandias]

Did you get a print-out from the alignment Shop back then?

 

[tjm]

Did you get a print-out from the alignment Shop back then?

Yes I did. Checked it back then. Will check again

 

[Ozymandias]

Please

 

[tjm]

Please

Ok I could have sworn I had it. I probably did. I'm sure I did. I'm also the kind of guy that throws everything away.

New steering box comes in tomorrow. Shocks maybe by the end of the week.

 

[Ozymandias]

6-bolt box I hope? But it probably won't solve the problem.

 

[tjm]

6-bolt box I hope?

Yes it is.

There is play in the steering column. I can turn it by hand almost from a 12 clock position to 1:30 or 2 pm