Violent Vibration!

[Alphacowboy]

Because it's a cam lobe, just like the lobe on a valve train cam. Cam is not short for camber.



You might also get a heavy duty steering stabilizer. I've dealt with DW on my Jeep ZJ. So far not on the truck, but it's fortified with DSS, 3rd Gen trackbar kit, no lift, tires rotated, alignment checked, yada, yada.



I was surprised he asked why it's called Death Wobble. That's intuitively obvious, like a revelation when it happens to you



Neil

Got ya, thanks, love it when I learn something new!



and yes, I think its called death wobble for a few reasons:

1. ) Your praying to God that you dont die when DW occurs

2. ) Your truck feels like its going to fly apart and you are going to die when the floor falls out and you hit the pavement at 60+ MPH

3. ) The fact that brakes do not seem to fix it fast enough and the on-comming traffic or pole on the side of the road has your name on it.

4. ) Forget control, the truck is going to kill you if it doesnt stop

5. ) Your wondering how long your arm bones are going to hold up before they break and you end up bleeding to death.

6. ) Your wonder how long before that drill laying on the back seat will stay there before piercing your skull as it is flailed around the cab.

7. ) When you finally stop, you check all your limbs to make sure that your all still there and alive

8. ) If the truck doesnt kill you, a heart attack or brain anurism(sp?) will

9. ) Everytime after a DW experiance, you grip the wheel and grit your teeth at the site of any bump in the road, wondering if this time, you meet your maker.

10. ) Your shook up so much it feels like your very soul was shook from your body, and until the truck is under control, it feels like an out of body experiance!



:-laf

 

[pholt]

Holdup

Are you spacers steel, aluminum, rubber or plastic. I have lifted lots of trucks and we have found that only the aluminum or steel spacers will work for the Diesel 4x4, the other flex and move too much and can cause the death wobble. See what they are made of, the composit spacers are about $60. 00 and good ones are close to $200. 00.



Paul

 

[HeberRam]

Ahhhhhhhhh the death wobble

I had a 2001 dodge, leveling kit, 315 tires and never knew what the death wobble was until one day, I hit a bump in the road going about 80 mph launched the truck a little and the front wheels went crazy..... Scared the S$#@ out of me. :{ Put in a luk's link, and beefed up the track bar and all was good. I now have a 2005, with a 4. 5" lift, double shock track bar, pumped tires to 50 psi, running 325/1250/20's, rancho 9000's shocks and alls good so far. I think keeping the front tires pumped up and beefing the track bar, proper alignment, and better then stock shocks will help in solving this problem.

 

[CATCRACKER]

i have hear the 2" spacer doesnt cause the wobble that is bs i have been there done that twice

 

[pholt]

Blame Dodge

I have been in rock crawling for a long time and this version of the Dana 60 is a joke, hell the whole front end is a joke. I got the death wobble in my 02 once with 315's. I agree with HerbRam, the Luk Link is great, this front end has lots of weak links like the track bar and even the steering box.



But if you do not have at least aluminum spacers upgrade those poly ones and it will help. Luckily my new 04. 5 has been a blessing.



PS I have completely built BRAND NEW high pinion Dana 60's and ran 44" tires and got the death wobble, it is inherent with the spindle design, and big tires. Who knows, I love Dana but they filed for bankruptcy the other day so who knows what we will get next. A rock ram will also stop this from EVER happening. Ford used ram assist on some of there mid 70's Dana 60's, and it worked.



Paul

 

[DMaddox]

Lot's of info, thanks

UPDATE: It happened again today, same speed, EXACT same spot on the freeway. I wasn't necessarily trying to do it, but I wasn't being as careful as I should have been. in any event, I guess there is comfort in knowing I can reproduce the effect. Now, to get an eye witness or the dealer in the truck that would be great.



Everyone, thank you very much for your input. Much of what has been said I don't fully understand, but I've been taking notes and will be researching all ideas. You can bet the dealer and I will be having some interesting talks.



The spacers are steel, not eurothane (sp?)



I understand DW and never want to feel it again. And yes, I cringe at every bump in the road. I've raced cars in my past and had flat tires at 120mph+ (granted, low provile helped a bit), but I would take the flat over the DW any day of the week.



I think I will do the obvious and easy fixes first and then move forward. I hate to say it, but I guess the only way to find out what works is test the Death Spot on the freeway. Atleast I won't be surprised and I won't have any family in the truck.



This sucks!

 

[Smokey 01]

Mine just did this today for the first time. I was traveling at an excessive speed and hit a bump and I thought the lug nuts were coming loose or something. Death wobble is the right name for it. I only have 285's and a stock suspension. All steering and suspension components are tight. Ball joints only have 20000 on them.

 

[LAugustine]

Ditto to the Cowboy. My truck did the same thing. Get rid of the BFG's. I have a 2" leveling kit. D/W stated afer I had about 30000 miles on the 315's, weaken side wall I guess. Adjusted my caster out,rotated and balanced the tires, double checked air pressure, only a temp. solution, but better than nothing. No D/W since I went back to a E rated tire.

 

[Smokey 01]

The more I find on this the more I think my D rated tires are the culprit. i turned the caster all the way out and it seems to have made no effect. I'm going to try rotating tires front and rear but I'll probably end up replacing the tires.

 

[Cummnzpowr]

mine

Since i had to put smaller tires on til i get better wheels and larger tires for now. . it wants to wobble almost everytime i hit a bump. I have Luk's Link,2'' spacer kit,with 215/85/r16's {dually} and it goes nuts. . i will try the higher air pressure thing. . thanks!