Highway shakes
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Elder User
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 551
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From: New Braunfels, TX
Highway shakes
Morning ya'll,
I have an issue that has recently arised now that I have someone interested in buying my truck (just my luck "murphy's law"). Just looking for some pointer on what it could be and how to fix it.
I have a 79 F350 4x4, 400M 4 speed. When I take it on the highway and get upto around 50-55 it gets these violant shakes and does stop till i drop down to around 35-40.
This is a problem ive heard of before in other vehicle but dont have a clue where to start. Any and all help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you ahead of time,
Boomer
I have an issue that has recently arised now that I have someone interested in buying my truck (just my luck "murphy's law"). Just looking for some pointer on what it could be and how to fix it.
I have a 79 F350 4x4, 400M 4 speed. When I take it on the highway and get upto around 50-55 it gets these violant shakes and does stop till i drop down to around 35-40.
This is a problem ive heard of before in other vehicle but dont have a clue where to start. Any and all help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you ahead of time,Boomer
Post Fiend
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 14,325
Likes: 14
From: Island Southeast Alaska
What he said and: Lift the front tires of the ground and have someone move the steering wheel back and forth just the little bit that it will before the tires turn. Look at the tie rod ends and everything for what is loose. Than replace all of it. Than grab the tire top and bottom and and try and wiggle it in and out. This is to check the play in ball joints and or king pins.
The steering stabilizer is the most common cause of the death wobble. And replacing it will most likely cure it. BUT it will also mask other worn parts and problems the may be there. If none of this makes any sense to you than take it to a shop or mechanic and have them check it out. It's not called a "death wobble" for nothing.
The steering stabilizer is the most common cause of the death wobble. And replacing it will most likely cure it. BUT it will also mask other worn parts and problems the may be there. If none of this makes any sense to you than take it to a shop or mechanic and have them check it out. It's not called a "death wobble" for nothing.
Senior User
Joined: May 2010
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It just started happening to mine as well when I hit the brakes at speed... Thinking collapsed drivers side brake line.... Caliper is slow to release as well.. Feels like the whole front ends wants to rip itself from the truck... Death Wobble not good in any form...
New User
Joined: Feb 2012
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Not to state the obvious but it might not be a bad idea to start small; check the balance of the front tires. Hate to see someone spend money on suspension/steering components if its just a balance issue.
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Rusty Roller
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 1,423
Likes: 5
From: Santa Cruz Mountains
Sorry I didn't really think about cost. If I remember correctly it was less than $50. Monroe from O'Reillys with a life time warranty; I replace it every 2 or 3 yrs.
Here's the one I have:
Monroe Gas Magnum SC2914 - Steering Stabilizer Cylinder | O'Reilly Auto Parts
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Here's the one I have:
Monroe Gas Magnum SC2914 - Steering Stabilizer Cylinder | O'Reilly Auto Parts
.
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Elder User
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 551
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From: New Braunfels, TX
Problem solved, I took ya'lls direction went out and started checking everything out. I did both the tire off the ground checks, ball joints and tie rods are all great, this did lead me to find a shock loose at both upper and lower mount, so I went around and check all. If you guys dont think this could have been the cause of the "death wobble" please let me know that way I can keep truoble shooting. Also can death wobble come and go? Hey ya'll thanks for the help and for listening,
Boomer
Boomer
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,219
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From: Norton, MA
It shouldn't come and go, should come on at a pretty consistent speed and set of conditions, and when you do fix it, if it comes back, you either didn't "fix" the right thing, or didn't fix the right thing enough!
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Elder User
Joined: Jan 2010
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From: New Braunfels, TX
I do have one, and actually looks pretty old so I have already ordered one today. Looks like an autozone brand and it hasnt given me problems for the last 3 years till recent, so ill replace with the same. Thanks for that, atleast i know im going in the right direction.
Boomer
Boomer
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Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 142
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wobble
I replaced shocks ,all connections tight,placed steering stabilizer and still had some problems on old '78 . Several people I new had replaced steering boxes in the 70-80,000 mile range and I thought that can't be what's wrong and rechecked my steering and it felt tight at steering wheel ,but drove like it was sloppy . Found loose worm bearing pre-load in box,tightened up and was ok then.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 875
Likes: 56
From: Merlin, OR
When I first bought my truck, on the drive home, it'd get up to about 55 and start the death wobble. After I got it home and started tearing into the front end, I found that my bearings and races were completely shot, and had spun the bearing around the hub at some point in its life. After replacing the bearings and races and getting a new hub, even with the old tires, the death wobble never came back. Might be another thing to check. Sometimes it's as simple as an unbalanced tire, could take the tires and get them balanced at a tire shop.
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