Had the death wobble now what to do to fix it - Diesel Forum

350r powervalve · 04-20-2009, 09:25 PM

I think im out of warranty at 40k miles and theres a golden brown fluid running down the driver side frame rail and i think its power steering fluid im not sure. i checked the res. and its a little low but not low enough to make that much fluid come out. the motor oil in my truck is black so i know its not that, could it be a turbo boot coming lose ? have not had the wobble for about a month it seemed to appear when going about 45mph around aturn and hit a little hole in road that started it.

**MikeL46** · 04-20-2009, 09:29 PM

Death Wobble is almost always the track bar.

At least in my case, turning the wheel stopped or prevented it by taking the play out of the steering. But, when going straight and hitting a bump - I learned why it is called DEATH WOBBLE!!

And it was the track bar. Get underneath and have somebody turn the wheel back and forth. See if you can find some play somewhere.

Mike

sarnott140 · 04-21-2009, 12:37 AM

ya if its stock its probly the trac bar. I had the death wobble real bad after i got a 3 inch lift installed but the caster change is what caused it.

Banshee365 · 04-21-2009, 01:25 AM

I had death wobble with my 6" pro-comp. A set of expensive DR stabilizers and no more death wobble at all.

I also had the fluid running down the drivers side frame rail. Ended up being the hydroboost pump. Not sure of the cost because it was replaced under warranty.

cla511 · 04-21-2009, 05:15 PM

Before you spend any money make sure your front tires are inflated well. That is the very first thing on the service bullentin and it fixed mine.

Derkperk · 04-21-2009, 10:47 PM

Got a letter in the mail this week from FoMoCo regarding the wobble. It said to make sure your tires are inflated to the proper pressure. That's a fix?

blizzardwarrior7 · 04-22-2009, 09:31 AM

Most people I know dont purposely air down there front tires for street use, so I think thats B.S. Your best bet is to install a dual Stab. Kit, or if you've already got one, to check your trac bar, and make sure its torqued to spec.

nightmoves · 04-22-2009, 10:44 AM

What about his fluid leak.

cla511 · 04-22-2009, 11:35 AM

I drive across the same bridge where I could reproduce the wobble every time several times a week and since I pumped the front tires up like they should be it has not done it since and that has been over a year. The front end of these trucks are extremely heavy and you need 55-60 psi in your tires. The tires that came on the truck new recommend 65 psi for max load.

StrokinTiger · 04-22-2009, 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cla511

Before you spend any money make sure your front tires are inflated well. That is the very first thing on the service bullentin and it fixed mine.

This! It is most likely the tire pressure or tires themselves. Mine started after I had my tires rotated and they didn't adjust the pressure when they switched them from the front to the back. It went away completely with a set of new tires also.

Rollingrock · 04-23-2009, 04:30 PM

I also got the letter this week but a few weeks back I noticed that my Steering dampner was leaking, so I bouht a new one, put it on and it seems to be fine now. Maybe I am lucky...maybe I should have gotten the newer one with the upgraded bracket.

What is the track bar? Where is it and what is the torque setting on it so I can check it.

Thanks

350r powervalve · 04-23-2009, 08:48 PM

Thanks everyboby for the info, my plan is to beef up the front end with some aftermarket stuff and then put some 22.5 alcoas on it

Gotrox · 04-23-2009, 09:52 PM

If a new steering stabilizer fixed it, the problem is still there. whatever is worn is still worn and its going to come back, probably a lot worse. Almost every part connected to the front steering or suspension can cause death wobble. Anything that can wear and cause either play or a vibration can set it off.

mont91 · 04-26-2009, 07:41 PM

On a project last summer we had several late 90s dodges and several new dodges. Every time a steering stabilizer was jerked off or wore out the vehicle would shimmy until we replaced the stabilizer. As I understand it after the 70s when spring bushings got soft a stabilizer is needed to prevent shimmy. I see the theory behind this but our '88 350 did not have a stabilizer and it didn't shimmy. It also had extra springs all the way around.

For the leak I would fill the PS reservoir to the full mark. If it drops the source of your leak is found.

pwrstrokn2004 · 04-27-2009, 12:04 AM

I have dealt with death wobble on several trucks and from my experience it is from one of few things. 1, Not enough caster. Common on '05 up SD with a lift. 2, track bar/rod worn out. check for play. 3, incorrect toe angle. I have found they work good with about 1/8" to 3/16" in. 4, High offset wheels or short backspacing. 5, Balance tires. if you have 2 tires that wobble due to balance the truck could feel as if it is falling apart. 6, Steering damper. This thing does not fix problems. It just dampens them. If leaking I would replace it but the stock one should be adequate. The steering damper just absorbs the steering wheel so that if you hit a curb or drive offroad the wheel is not yanked right out of your hands. For the leak I would clean the truck up well and keep an eye on it.