Death wobble !
FTE Legend
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 31,969
Likes: 9,197
From: Western NY
It helped a lot, I still get very minor DW on occasion but nothing like before I changed the bushing. I need new tires, after that if I still get any wobble I plan to work my way through the rest of the ends and joints on the front end.
I am glad I started with the bushing first.
I am glad I started with the bushing first.
Last edited by Overkill2; Mar 29, 2025 at 07:57 PM. Reason: correct post
Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 7,984
Likes: 2,671
From: The Great State of Texas
I had a death wobble experience on my truck a couple of times at ~80k miles when I was running a set of BF Goodrich AT2 tires that were almost at the end of life. Replaced those tires with a new set of tires and never had a death wobble experience since then. Never purchased another set of BF Goodrich tires either.
FTE Legend
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 31,969
Likes: 9,197
From: Western NY
I had a death wobble experience on my truck a couple of times at ~80k miles when I was running a set of BF Goodrich AT2 tires that were almost at the end of life. Replaced those tires with a new set of tires and never had a death wobble experience since then. Never purchased another set of BF Goodrich tires either.
I get the rear end hop with those 18 inch Treadwrights I run for winter tires and they are heavy AF. So I'm thinking the balance has changed since they were initially balanced when mounted and because they weigh a ton, took a lot of weight to balance.
The balance will change on tires when they start to wear and then get rotated IMO.
I had the rear end hop with the 20s, the original Michelins that the truck had, last year as they are probably out of balance as well...
When I get a new set for my summer 20s, I am going to buy 4 pouches of EZ Open bags of ceramic beads that go inside the tire. My buddy will do a static balance only then the beads will take care of the dynamic balance when the truck's moving. I used them on my 96 with good results before.
Now that I'm thinking about it. I think what happened with my 96 was that when I put in the ceramic beads after removing the valve cores, I removed the balance weights... then once statically balanced, they were good to go...
Yes an upcoming thread on balance beads if I never did one before...
Last edited by Overkill2; Mar 29, 2025 at 04:56 PM. Reason: Correct post
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2024
Posts: 849
Likes: 464
From: Up in Texas
For what it's worth it am running balane beads in my tires now no weights. They have been great. The tires are at the end of their life. Install ing the SPE track bar bushing took most of the DW out of my truck. I will be replacing the tires soon, but I am going to install the Apex joint on the axle end of my track bar first just to see if it changes the remaining DW.
FTE Legend
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 31,969
Likes: 9,197
From: Western NY
For what it's worth it am running balane beads in my tires now no weights. They have been great. The tires are at the end of their life. Install ing the SPE track bar bushing took most of the DW out of my truck. I will be replacing the tires soon, but I am going to install the Apex joint on the axle end of my track bar first just to see if it changes the remaining DW.
but I'll have my buddy static balance them and I'll have the 8 oz break open bags inside each tire ready to go.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2024
Posts: 849
Likes: 464
From: Up in Texas
I do believe balance beads work great just as much as I believe they are not the end all solution, in my opinion the individual tire has more to do with it than the balancing method. I mount my own tires and do not own a balancer) so I use balance beads only and they work well for me until the tire gets close to the end of its life. I have friends the run both wheel weights and beads with great and sometimes superior results to my bead only approach.
FTE Legend
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 31,969
Likes: 9,197
From: Western NY
I do believe balance beads work great just as much as I believe they are not the end all solution, in my opinion the individual tire has more to do with it than the balancing method. I mount my own tires and do not own a balancer) so I use balance beads only and they work well for me until the tire gets close to the end of its life. I have friends the run both wheel weights and beads with great and sometimes superior results to my bead only approach.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2024
Posts: 849
Likes: 464
From: Up in Texas
What I like and believe about them is that they dynamically balance the tires as the truck is rolling and as the balance changes on each tire, the beads adapt by being able to go where they need to to keep the tire in balance. Remember, you can have a perfectly balanced wheel/tire, but then mounting it to the truck will possible change the balance because it's now on the truck with the axle shaft attached which has to possibly affect balance i would think. But who knows? I'm just thinking out loud.
beads seem to hit the sweetspot for me.
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 112
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I had a death wobble experience on my truck a couple of times at ~80k miles when I was running a set of BF Goodrich AT2 tires that were almost at the end of life. Replaced those tires with a new set of tires and never had a death wobble experience since then. Never purchased another set of BF Goodrich tires either.
FTE Legend
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 31,969
Likes: 9,197
From: Western NY
The beads will balance the whole rotating assembly as long as there are enough of them, but there is such a thing as to many. The in tire beads are cheap compared to the rings, but not as resueable as the rings though you can adjust the beads as needed. Like most things in life, everything has its tradeoffs.
beads seem to hit the sweetspot for me.
beads seem to hit the sweetspot for me.
But the beads Ive used are ceramic spheres... they are definitely not made cheaply, but i do know they are other companies out there.
These guys used to be in Rochester, NY but are now in Las Vegas. I ordered from them thinking I could get them in my Treadwrights but there were sensors on the valves... so they are on the shelf in the garage.
If I'm not mistaken, light truck tires up to 35 inch I believe take 8 oz. On my phone now but I will check when i get on my laptop.
Heres the website...
https://innovativebalancing.com/mobile/index.php
FTE Legend
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 31,969
Likes: 9,197
From: Western NY
Both sets gave me minor rear end hop the 08 to 16 trucks get... at about 48ish mph.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2024
Posts: 849
Likes: 464
From: Up in Texas
I have rings on my truck now... company out of Texas I believe... I'll double check that.
But the beads Ive used are ceramic spheres... they are definitely not made cheaply, but i do know they are other companies out there.
These guys used to be in Rochester, NY but are now in Las Vegas. I ordered from them thinking I could get them in my Treadwrights but there were sensors on the valves... so they are on the shelf in the garage.
If I'm not mistaken, light truck tires up to 35 inch I believe take 8 oz. On my phone now but I will check when i get on my laptop.
Heres the website...
https://innovativebalancing.com/mobile/index.php
But the beads Ive used are ceramic spheres... they are definitely not made cheaply, but i do know they are other companies out there.
These guys used to be in Rochester, NY but are now in Las Vegas. I ordered from them thinking I could get them in my Treadwrights but there were sensors on the valves... so they are on the shelf in the garage.
If I'm not mistaken, light truck tires up to 35 inch I believe take 8 oz. On my phone now but I will check when i get on my laptop.
Heres the website...
https://innovativebalancing.com/mobile/index.php
rings are likely more cost effective over several sets of tires, but for me $40 a set of tires that I mount myself is acceptable to me.
FTE Legend
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 31,969
Likes: 9,197
From: Western NY
The beads will balance the whole rotating assembly as long as there are enough of them, but there is such a thing as to many. The in tire beads are cheap compared to the rings, but not as resueable as the rings though you can adjust the beads as needed. Like most things in life, everything has its tradeoffs.
beads seem to hit the sweetspot for me.
beads seem to hit the sweetspot for me.
FTE Legend
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 31,969
Likes: 9,197
From: Western NY
I have been using Counteract beads the last few sets of tires. Run me about $10 a tire on my truck, they are a coated glass. Which work well for me at a price that is easy to absorb over the life of a set of tires. Easy to source Amazon has them.
rings are likely more cost effective over several sets of tires, but for me $40 a set of tires that I mount myself is acceptable to me.
rings are likely more cost effective over several sets of tires, but for me $40 a set of tires that I mount myself is acceptable to me.
I have had these now for quite awhile. But they do not remove the rear end hop my gen truck gets at around 50 mph. I am going with Innovative Balancing ceramic beads not to prevent DW, but in an attempt to not only help with tire life but regular rotations are paramount, but to also help with the annoying read end hop my truck has. I think it's not as bad as when I first bought my truck and prior to me using the Centramatic wheel balancers, but hopefully the ceramic beads will help.
https://centramatic.com/product/300-318/
FTE Legend
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 31,969
Likes: 9,197
From: Western NY
I am not saying I'm correct on this nor am I an expert but this is just my opinion... like when I stated that for optimal life, advice that came from a guy who's been in the tire business for decades, rotating every is optimal for max tire life. I got push back on this but believe it is good advice from a guy who knows. And no, I do not rotate every 3k miles... life gets in the way, y'know?
Reading from this article was the point I was trying to make before: Several factors can contribute to the occurrence of Death Wobble, including:
- Worn or Damaged Suspension Components: Loose or worn-out components such as ball joints, tie rod ends, track bars, control arms, and bushings can lead to instability in the steering system. Consequently, addressing these issues promptly is crucial for maintaining vehicle safety and performance.
- >>>>>Imbalanced Tires: Uneven tire wear, incorrect tire pressure, or unbalanced tires can cause vibrations that exacerbate the issue.<<<<<
- Improper Alignment: Misalignment of the wheels can create steering issues and contribute to instability, especially at high speeds. As a result, regular wheel alignment checks and adjustments are recommended to maintain optimal vehicle handling.
- Lift Kits and Modifications: Aftermarket lift kits or suspension modifications may alter the geometry of the steering system. This leads to potential issues if not installed correctly or if components are not properly adjusted.
- Steering Dampener Failure: A malfunctioning or inadequate steering dampener can fail to dampen the oscillations in the steering system.