CCCummins

First as an update with anyone taht kept up with my posts about the oil leak. It was a droppped KDP pin that previous owner tried to patch with somoething. I had to spend 2K to have another gear case put on. Finally get my truck back from that and a new clutch and now something else is acting totally weird.

When I bought the truck I drove it for 2 hrs straight on the interstate with expansion joints, cracks and everything and never a problem. It hasnt ever been a nice smooth ride but that is sort of expected with a 2500. Then I have driven it plenty of times on teh interstate and stuff since then. But just this past time on my way back home from college (2 hr trip) I hit a pretty bad bump in the road at liek 70 mph and the truck just started jolting and bucking uncontrolably (feels like a wheel hop but it isnt barking tires or anything) I mash the clutch in, pull into nuetral and apply brakes but nothing stops it but slowing down to like 40 mph. It really rattles everything. Then I get going again once everything is settled back down and then it does it again just for no reason (meaning no bumps to initiate a feeling like this) SO I have no clue what the deal is. The truck traveled the same stretch of road just a week prior and never did it. Then I got it and it did it once. I drove it around town at college and stuff and it never does it as town speeds. Then back on the interstate and it does it again only more times. So I have parked it again. Had to have mom drive me 2 hrs to school only to turn right around drive herself back.

My brother said he drove it one day and it did it on him at like 45mph. Described the problem to a guy we know with bombed 3500 dually and that guy told him his did it and that it was the pressure plate. (brother cant really remember exactly what the guy said now) Dont know how the pressure plate would cause this but something is and I dont think it is the bumps causing wheelhop at 70mph cause it did it without a bump tonight. I even had added weight in the bed tonight to keep it down and that didnt help. (it did help smooth out the ride over smaller cracks though and that was nice cause this truck is rough riding)

The truck is a 96 5spd, excab, longbed, 4x4, 3" lift block in the rear (which I want out anyways), 2" leveling kit in front w/ springs and bars and all. Factory wheels and tires for now unfortunately (cant afford new ones yet). I dont think the problem is in the tires, I checked there pressure 40-45 psi but I dont know if the guage I used was right cause they are E rated tires and are full. Any suggestions would be great.

Thanks,
CCCummins

kandgo

Welcome aboard, go to the search option above and type in the words{death wobble},you will have all the answers to your problem, trac bar,front end parts etc etc. It does sound like yours needs attention quick as they are dangerous. Goodluck,,,,Rick

roadranger

Yep, it's the infamous Death Wobble.

The front end parts are worn out and your front wheels are shimmying back and forth.

Most likely culprit is the track bar, goes diagonally down from frame to front axle.
Luke links make repair ends to fix your old bar, or you can replace the whole bar with a Moog unit from NAPA.

While you've got the front end jacked up working on it, also check out the play in the ball joints on each wheel. AND check out the play at the steering box bearing.

It's the buildup of play in all of these parts that contributes to Death Wobble, and all straight tube front axles are suseptible.

BigBlue

It's the front track bar.

tool

Definitely the death wobble, I've experienced it on a '96


The first one is definitely scary!!

Tx hotshot

did anyone mention it might be "the death wobble"?

FRANKV469

yep ! darn death wobble! just as a piece of advice, i got my track bar from advanced auto parts. its a moog piece and it has a lifetime warranty. every year mine develops excessive play and i just turn it into them for a new one. ya might wanna check em out.

FRANKV469

......and the first one cost me $105. from them.

travjrath

hmmmm ... again not to be the odd ball but ... my brand new 01 did this "DW" after the addition of a front end leveling kit , i put a stiffer ( or better ) stabilizer strut on ,POOF prob gone ... for awhile ...had to have the rake angle reset to fit the new ride height. My 98 was fixed by the trac-bar replacment though,170000 miles on it too. just a thought.....

HEHEHE...side note, when i raced motocross we called this same action "HEAD SHAKE" just as bad , just as scary. if you did the wrong thing you and your bike ended up doing cart wheels down the track...UGLY!!