Dodge Ram Death Wobble - Please Read

[Anonymous Poster]

If anyones heard about the death wobble on the 94-01 dodges, here it is....

http://www.dodgepickupsteeringproblems.com

Yesterday I got new tires for the truck,
Well the tire guy said I can't align it cause the steering linkages, and ball joints are shot.
Which I pretty much expected with 114k on it, so I did some research on steering components wearing out, apparently its more severe that what I previously read, and can cause a death wobble!

I've ordered the Lukes Link to rebuild the front end myself.
www.lukeslink.com

I'll also install 4 new upper/lower ball joints, and Darrins Steering Brace (anyone know where to buy it?). This should fix it according to the people thats done it.
If you replace the trac bar and tie rods with stock stuff, the problem will just come back,
useing the Lukes link will cure it.

Might be something to look into, if your truck is over 40,000 miles,
and has a wondering steering issue, or the steering is sloppy, which mine is.

I'm surprised I've made it this far with no wobble! yikes
Pass this on if you know someone with a Dodge Pickup!

John

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Found a similiar stabilizer bar that TDR website guys have had success with

http://www.solidsteel.ca/Stabilizer.htm

 

[Anonymous Poster]

TDR Posting talking about steering

http://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/showthread.php?s=8f2e3fdc78dcddc6b7df37ee99e49ef9&threadid=64315&perpage=15&pagenumber=1

 

[s1120]

I have experanced this with my old Jeep Cherokee. NOT FUN. I would have to say if you see a problem brewing, get it fixed. If not they will be picking you up with a stick, and a spoon.

 

[StoneHeartFarm]

Just had to get the front of my old chevy done. Needed all 4 ball joints, steering dampener, both front U-joints and both locking hubs.

It wasn't that the mailboxes kept jumping out in front of me that was scary, it was the other lane of traffic. The U-joints kept binding up, the lockers would vibrate around and lock themselves and the ball joint on the drivers side had disintegrated. Driving it was interesting for awhile.


Steve

 

[RobertN]

What's the death wobble? The link didn't come up right.

I'm guessing it's like I had in my old Ford, when I replaced the IFS with a staright axle. Before adding stabilizers, it would wobble so bad after occassional bumps that I had to stop, and then start going agian. Of course, I was running 35's on it too, compared to the stock tires on my '01 Dodge.

I asked my Dad, who has worked Dodge parts counter since '68. They have had no report at the shop he works at. They had a '98 and '99 come in 8 or so months ago with 700,000 and 500,000 miles on them,, and no work other than brake pads and oil/filters.

I would also have the factory check the front end. My Dad has seen many cars and trucks come in that a couple big tire chain stores said needed parts and work, only to find they were ok, or in much better shape than the tire shop said.

I'd like to see more data on this...

 

[Egon]

Robert:

It's purportetly what we used to call "shimmy" when all is not well with the front suspension components.

Then there's the " Killer Dowell Pin "

Egon

 

[chim]

Back in the early 1970's the company I worked for had a 1967 Dodge van. Certain bumps in the road would cause the front to wobble so bad you would nearly lose control. I was following the van one day when the driver hit a bump that started the vibrations. What a sight! I could see the left front wheel, and it wobbled so furiously it almost appeared to be rolling in the wrong plane. If I remember correctly, the wobble only responded to a certain type of bump in the road, and was more prevalent at a particular vehicle speed.

Wiring on Mopars always seemed more of a mystery than on GM and Ford vehicles for me...........chim

 

[s1120]

<font color="red">What's the death wobble? The link didn't come up right.

</font>

Imange being on the end of a dogs tail, when he is VARY happy. I tell you, the first time it happands to you, you will NEVER forget it. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

It seems to be a bigger problem with the small Jeep Cherokees.[84-2000something] The suspension on these are almost a perfict copy of the ram trucks. [realy the Cherokee came first, I bet Dodge copyed it after they bought Jeep] I think this will be a eaven bigger problem in the coming years, when these trucks get more miles on them.

 

[RobertN]

That wobble happened on my 89' F250. I took the IFS out, and put a straight axle in front. Much better for regular 4x4 use, and less spring sag over time. I also put 35x12.50's on it...

For the most part, it was fine. But on certian odd bumps, it would start the front end oscillating and wobbling. The only way to stop it was to stop. It was pretty violent, and was a hazard. When 35x12.50's wobble so bad they chirp, it's pretty bad...

In this case, a heavy duty steering stabilizer and a double check of the front end alignment fixed it.

 

[Chief]

I recently had the steering damper and steering box replaced on my 2002 which seemed to greatly improve stablity in a straight line. Previously it was just sloppy as far as wondering from side to side of the lane. I may install the steering fix the guys on TDR.com are talking about. Seems like a well designed kit.

 

[Boone]

A place I worked at in the early 80's swapped my vehicle with the main office fleet for a newer van. The new van was trash compared to what I had been driving, and I wanted it gone. One day I saw a State trooper on the back highway waiting for semi tractor rigs skirting the truck scales, so I pulled in along side.

Hopped out introduced myself and asked for a warning ticket. I then showed him all the safety defects the van had. With my ticket, I reported back into the office and told my boss the trooper wanted the long list fixed before the van could hit the road again. I was much happier sitting in a new vehicle the next day.