Scary Steering problem
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Senior User
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 253
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From: Otego NY
Scary Steering problem
Its hard to explain and its only happened a couple of times and I'm trying to avoid it from happining, so here goes. When I turn a corner (like at an intersection) the steering acts "jumpy"... I guess that word works, a couple of times it acted like it got stuck in the turn postion also. Another thing the steering has done is: if I hit a bump while turning a moderate to hard corner at 50-55ish the whole front of the truck starts shaking violently until I pull over and come to a complete stop. When I start agin its fine, well at least a good as it was before. I took it to my little brother tonight who is a much better mech. than I am and he couldn't find anything obiviously wrong with the steering linkages and such. So any thoughts?
Beersy50
89 F-350 dump truck 4x4 5-speed
Beersy50
89 F-350 dump truck 4x4 5-speed
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 21,285
Likes: 15
From: Nutter Fort, WV
The first thing could be front axle U joints out at the steering knuckles.
The death wobble (violent shaking) can be worn king pin bushings, springs on the rear axle flattened out which changes the steering geometry, tie rods, bad alignment, bad tires, worn steering column linkages or worn steering sector.
If nothing stands out specifically, you are probably looking at several small things that are adding up to a big one.
We have an 84 Dodge flatbed company truck, the steering sector is shot anf the rear springs have lost their arch.
When you hit a bump going into a slight corner, it can be a very interesting ride till the death wobble stops.
For some reason nobody will drive it except me, it don't really bother me cause it's just a darned old Dodge.
The death wobble (violent shaking) can be worn king pin bushings, springs on the rear axle flattened out which changes the steering geometry, tie rods, bad alignment, bad tires, worn steering column linkages or worn steering sector.
If nothing stands out specifically, you are probably looking at several small things that are adding up to a big one.
We have an 84 Dodge flatbed company truck, the steering sector is shot anf the rear springs have lost their arch.
When you hit a bump going into a slight corner, it can be a very interesting ride till the death wobble stops.
For some reason nobody will drive it except me, it don't really bother me cause it's just a darned old Dodge.
i ain't rite
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 65,448
Likes: 5,517
From: Marlboro Mental Hospital.
my 88 would do the "death wobble" thing.
i got so disgusted, i rebuilt the entire front end.
2 days later..............., you guessed correct.
i put a dual steering stabalizer on 15 years ago, and the death wobble has never came back.
i got so disgusted, i rebuilt the entire front end.
2 days later..............., you guessed correct.
i put a dual steering stabalizer on 15 years ago, and the death wobble has never came back.
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 728
Likes: 0
it is called a steering box , the shaft that the pitman arm is attached to is called the sector shaft
and the shaft the steering wheel is attached to is the spool valve and shaft
and the shaft the steering wheel is attached to is the spool valve and shaft
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