my brother bought a 1997 2500 ext cab 5-spd 4x4, less than a month ago, truck has 227,000 miles on it, it usually runs and drives like a top, till last weekend when he was driving it around 60+ mph, it just started vibrating very hard, it wont stop until he slows to an almost complete stop, he said it takes a very rough spot in the road to make it happen, its happened several times since then, we jacked it up and from what i could tell by trying to move the front tires in and out, the bearings seemed pretty tight, no play in them, all other suppension parts seemed tight, is there another way to check the bearings, and if any one has any ideas or has had this happen, that would be great, thanks
seth

 

Whats the trackbar like?

 

could be anything

check

front wheel bearings

wheel balance

check front end for play

check driveshaft u-joints and carrier bearing also check yoke nut

if you can get it up on a lift and poke aound, you'll find it.

 

That sounds very much like Death Wobble.

Have someone drive along side of him, and hit that rough spot of road on purpose, then watch the wheel/tire.

Trac bar, tires, rims, shocks and steering components can all contribute.


phox

 

checked front bearings, seemed tight, ill check wheel balance, but wouldnt that make it vibrate all the time, front u-joint on 4-wheel is quite lose, carrier bearing has a little play, also should i check the bearings when the whole front end is off the ground or check it one side at a time, and does the trac bar go from the frame to the front end to eliminate side to side play,
thanks any little bit helps

 

You are correct on the trackbar location and it very well could be the cause of the problem.
With the tires on the ground have someone turn the steering wheel back and forth.
There should be no visable play in the driver's side end of the trackbar.