What the hell now?
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More Turbo
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 583
Likes: 46
From: Utah
What the hell now?
So driving down the road the other day my steering wheel started shaking back and forth bad enough I thought I was going to crash. The front end was shaking something fierce. I was able to get it stopped in the median. There was a cop right behind me that stopped and told me my front tires were shaking back and forth bad. I was able to limp her home but what now? The balljoints, axle pivot bushings and the brackets and bushings that mount the leaf springs to the frame are all brand new. All moog but the spring bushings.
The tie rods are the only thing left in this pos front end right? I played with them and they would rock a little bit back and forth but not side to side? Anyone have this happen to them? I'm already saving to put a dana 60 in. If I'm going to keep this truck forever I guess I dont have a choice.
The tie rods are the only thing left in this pos front end right? I played with them and they would rock a little bit back and forth but not side to side? Anyone have this happen to them? I'm already saving to put a dana 60 in. If I'm going to keep this truck forever I guess I dont have a choice.
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 3,168
Likes: 10
From: San Ramon Ca.
An out of balance tire? Threw a weight? You could rotate the tires to see if it gets a bit better. But if the tie rod ends are suspect it's hard to say. With the lift you have I would think there is a drop bracket. Give that a look and the frame / cross member rivets. Give the steering shaft a look too.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,129
Likes: 4
From: Brandon, MB
As I understand it, the higher the lift, the worse it gets. I wouldn't suspect a wheel weight though. The side to side thing would likely be a tie rod, bushing(which you've already changed), or ???? I've never experienced it yet, so ?????
Either way, the D60 would still be the way to go.
Either way, the D60 would still be the way to go.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,129
Likes: 4
From: Brandon, MB
yea 92-97 were ball joint. you cant shim anything on a balljoint front end. in that case you need to check for everything to make sure all bolts and joints are tight. including wheel bearings, tie rod ends, pitman arm, spring mounts and bushings, even a loose shock.
-cutts-
I did a quick search and found this on the 4x4 forum. There was also much talk about the steering stablizers.
-cutts-
I did a quick search and found this on the 4x4 forum. There was also much talk about the steering stablizers.
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 3,168
Likes: 10
From: San Ramon Ca.
Think about the physics of a tire rotating on a hub at speed. The person who mounted and balanced the tire hangs a big weight on the rim to get it to balance. As the tire wears there is likely more rubber on one side that the other. Weight falls off. Exaggerating the lateral imbalance. Causing the tire and wheel to wobble.
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Elder User
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 837
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From: Standish ME
I had this problem right after I did my D60 swap. Look at your tires....if they are worn unevenly it will cause this, and not having a stabilizer will make it so it wont stop. I used to have to pull over to the side of the road when it would happen because i had no control. i installed the axle myself so it made me wonder if I F'd up or what not...but a stabilizer and tires fixed most of the problem. Look at your tires...replace if needed and I would buy a steering stabilizer kit for it just to be safe.
Goodluck!
Goodluck!
Freshman User
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 42
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From: NSB, Florida
have someone turn your wheel left and right while you're on the outside looking at your axle. Take a good look at the track bar and track bar bushings. It's happened on my 99 Super Duty, 90 Ranger, and 96 F-350. All of them were the track bar. (The Ranger is 3/4 ton with a V-8) so all were straight axles.
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 244
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From: ON & AB, Canada
I have seen death wobble on many 4x4's, most lifted, etc...
Any loose components on the front end can cause this. My current off-roader does it when the bolts for leaf springs and shackles are loose.
If you just replaced ball joints you may have your caster angle set wrong if you replaced the bushing.
To rule out tires, swap front to back and see if the problem persists.
Any loose components on the front end can cause this. My current off-roader does it when the bolts for leaf springs and shackles are loose.
If you just replaced ball joints you may have your caster angle set wrong if you replaced the bushing.
To rule out tires, swap front to back and see if the problem persists.
Thread Starter
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More Turbo
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 583
Likes: 46
From: Utah
So I replaced the tie rods so the entire front end is brand new!
The other day coming home from the cabin on asphalt that was like the washboard dirt road it did it again. My buddy had the same problem on his jeep. He put a steering stabilizer on it and it was fine. I dont have one. Is that all I need?
The other day coming home from the cabin on asphalt that was like the washboard dirt road it did it again. My buddy had the same problem on his jeep. He put a steering stabilizer on it and it was fine. I dont have one. Is that all I need?