"Death Wobble" question...
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 396
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"Death Wobble" question...
So basically what you all are saying is that this problem is caused by the huge tires that would have a lot of sidewall flexing, which acts like a spring. Once it gets started, you have to change something to stop it. The steering dampers would help stop this because they limit the movement of the steering linkages. Make sure the tierod ends, centerlinks, etc, are all tight.
88 F-150 4X4 XLT Lariat w/5.0 EFI 5 spd (DAILY DRIVER)
86 Ranger 2WD w/2.3L EFI 5 spd to be 351W 4bbl C4 (NEW TOY- DETAILS WHEN FINISHED)
85 Old Cutlass Supreme 350/TH350 Holley 4160,Edelbrock Performer intake, el-cheapo headers, General Kinetics 270H series cam, 15.588 best 1/4 mile with original 10 bolt 2.41 gears (OLD TOY)
88 F-150 4X4 XLT Lariat w/5.0 EFI 5 spd (DAILY DRIVER)
86 Ranger 2WD w/2.3L EFI 5 spd to be 351W 4bbl C4 (NEW TOY- DETAILS WHEN FINISHED)
85 Old Cutlass Supreme 350/TH350 Holley 4160,Edelbrock Performer intake, el-cheapo headers, General Kinetics 270H series cam, 15.588 best 1/4 mile with original 10 bolt 2.41 gears (OLD TOY)
Junior User
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 56
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From: Struthers
"Death Wobble" question...
The "DEATH WOBBLE" , thats great , I've been laughing for an hour ! I thoght I was the only prson that experienced it . Somebody asked what it is , it's far beyond a vibration or a wobble . My truck shook so hard that I thought the entire truck was just going to fall apart into little pieces underneath of me . It's the scariest thing you'll ever experience .
A new stabilizer shock helped a little . I installed rubber bushing then high quality urethane tracking bar bushings but the metal sleeve in the bushing still allowed enough play that I had to come up with a better idea , so I decided to make my own bushing for the end that mounts to the axle housing . I just got 2 chunks of urethane , drilled a hole in the middle of them so I could put a bolt through them and chuck it in a drill press . I made a little cutter and measured everything up to make it into a PRESS FIT bushing .
Then I beat one half of the bushing on the bolt , beat the tracking bar on , then beat the other half of the bushing in place . It worked great and I haven't had the dreaded death wobble since .
I hope this helps somebody .
A new stabilizer shock helped a little . I installed rubber bushing then high quality urethane tracking bar bushings but the metal sleeve in the bushing still allowed enough play that I had to come up with a better idea , so I decided to make my own bushing for the end that mounts to the axle housing . I just got 2 chunks of urethane , drilled a hole in the middle of them so I could put a bolt through them and chuck it in a drill press . I made a little cutter and measured everything up to make it into a PRESS FIT bushing .
Then I beat one half of the bushing on the bolt , beat the tracking bar on , then beat the other half of the bushing in place . It worked great and I haven't had the dreaded death wobble since .
I hope this helps somebody .
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 936
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From: Bay area
"Death Wobble" question...
I had that wobble to.
Replaced all the front bushings with poly still had it.
Come to find out on mine the one bolt was not tight enough. I tightened it up some more it still needs to go a little more but it is definatly alot tighter than it was before and I have not had any bouts with the wobble.
Replaced all the front bushings with poly still had it.
Come to find out on mine the one bolt was not tight enough. I tightened it up some more it still needs to go a little more but it is definatly alot tighter than it was before and I have not had any bouts with the wobble.
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 661
Likes: 1
From: Villa Ridge, MO
"Death Wobble" question...
Just wanted to clear one thing up. If you have the "DW", A stearing dampener will only cover up an existing problem. Dont use it as a pill. Go over the front with a fine tooth comb and narrow it down. Chances are its silm to none its the dampener. Save some cash! Might need it later for a locker or new tires! haha....im out...
Dan "Mudinford" MacDonald
Dan "Mudinford" MacDonald
New User
Joined: Sep 2009
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Death Wooble
Everybody thinks that 0 toe on a 4x4 is right---Wrong I been fighting this one for a while, No body agrees but I fix them. Got one coming to my shop tomorrow!! Fords are the worst because when you raise them it changes camber. Offset upper ball joints, a 1/16 toe in and a good steering stabilizer is the trick but only my customers believe me.. So for the rest of you ----good luck!! Rich
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,244
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From: Cottage Grove, WI
DO NOT BELIEVE THAT A STEERING STAB WILL FIX DEATH WOBBLE!!!!! It does NOT!!! It only covers up the problem. Death wobble is caused by a bunch of small things going wrong at the same time. creates so many small wobbles that they all add up. I know, doesnt sound right, but that is what happens.
You need to go over your front end with a FINE TOOTH COMB. check EVERYTHING. ball joints, tie rod ends, wheel bearings, wheel balance, ttb bushings, rad arm bushings, springs, alignment, LIFT BRACKETS (this is what was the main cause of my death wobble, both of the ttb drop brackets ended up being loose. Only way to see was to rock the wheel back and forth violently while someone watched). Id bet money you will find something loose that needs attention.
You need to go over your front end with a FINE TOOTH COMB. check EVERYTHING. ball joints, tie rod ends, wheel bearings, wheel balance, ttb bushings, rad arm bushings, springs, alignment, LIFT BRACKETS (this is what was the main cause of my death wobble, both of the ttb drop brackets ended up being loose. Only way to see was to rock the wheel back and forth violently while someone watched). Id bet money you will find something loose that needs attention.
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I had a nasty case with my F350. Couldnt drive it without a stabilizer or it'd shake to pieces. Turned out I just adjusted the steering box to take up the slack and presto! No more wobble. It being that loose I guess allowed it to flow back and forth without the wheel being affected.
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 154
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From: Sesser Il
I have experience the DW on only one of my Fords and that was a 88 Bronco with stock suspension and I believe at the time 33s on it. Maybe I shouldn't call it DW, but more like a dog wagging its tail. It felt like it would start in the rear and work its way to the front then quit. It would do it every once in a while til I had the tires balanced then it went away. Luckly that is the only one that ever did it. Hopefully I don't ever see it on my 95 F250.
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