Is the truck lifted? Is it an OBS? Did this just start outta nowhere two years ago?

 

CASTER causes death wobble. I suggest you check that before throwing money at things are are not going to fix it

 

You are correct.. 5 degrees negitive is pretty ideal for a kp d60, not sure about a ball joint d60..Thats why i asked about the lift.. Your caster doesnt just change tho, incorrectly torqued ubolts a can screw up your a caster slightly but he said two years ago this started..

 

Spring sag screws with caster . I bet I have put at least a dozen 3-4* shims in the front of these trucks to FIX death wobble

 

I think it's stock, not lifted. I got the truck 11 years ago. I did not lift it and since it's always been a work truck before and after me with a dump bed, I assume no one would lift it. Yes OBS. I don't remember exactly when it started to happen, maybe even over 2 years ago. It used to only happen when I get off a local highway (55 mph highway) and onto a very long downhill ramp before I left turn on to my street after a stop light. The ramp is a concrete one with seams every 10 feet. It almost always happens there, very predictable. Maybe about a year ago, it start to happen more and more often, even on other roads with smooth black top.

About a month ago, it started to do this every time I use the truck, no matter where I drive, again, only between 15 and 55 mph.

Since it's a work truck and only used once a week, not go farther than 20 miles from home, I just try to live with it. It got so bad and consistent, I can't use it anymore before it gets better.

 

I'll do some reading to check the caster. I figured out how to check the toe and will do it soon.

I know for a while that the front end needs attention. Now it's a good time to catch up with some PM work. Shocks are shot I knew it (just put new ones on). Since Track bar bushings are so critical for Death wobble and it's pretty cheap and easy to do, I'll get it done anyway. Adding a steering damper is a good thing to do. Beyond those 3 thing, I'll have to start doing more diagnostics before doing anything like ball joints and bearings. Thx

 

FYI, 85.5-91 had king pins, not ball joints

 

Much better imho...

 

Except for the brake caliper pins, smaller rotors and the lack of ability to change alignment slugs .

 

Never had an issue w them. The KPs are stronger than BJs, and you dont have to buy a knuckle and send yours to get machined if you want to do crossover.. You can preload the kp and you can service the front end in a snap..

 

Hi Erwin, Good to see you back on the OBS side, though I'm sorry it's for a not so nice reason.

I assume by the fact that you ordered track bar bushings that this is a 4x4 with a D60, correct? (I hate to assume anything). Traditionally the cause of (and cure for) death wobble is track bar bushings.

 

Good to hear from u too Nate. I spend most of my powerstroking time in the SD forum trying to keep my "new and fancy" truck in perfect shape and MOD. This old truck has served me well in the past and hopefully a long future ahead.

Yes, its a 4x4 with stick shift. Just did the clutch work a few month ago, quite an adventure!

Just got a chance this morning to measure the toe with help from my wife. It's a little less than 1/4 inch toe in. There is more tire wear outside than inside as expected. I'm going to rotate them first and test drive before doing the track bar bushing and steering damper addition.

 

it's a 95 truck. does it have KP or BJ? THX

 

Unless someone installed something different the '95 would be a ball joint axle.
This is what a balljoint axle looks like:



And this is a Kingpin axle:


You should have the one pictured on the top.

 

My bad. I thought somewhere it was mentioned you had king pins