So, around 50 mph, my truck has a pretty violent shake that seems to be coming from the front end. I can feel the whole truck shaking, and the steering wheel too. I've read about this death wobble condition and been wondering if this is what is happening. THe former front tires (which are now on the rear) definitely show some funny wear; they're kind of cupping and feathering. The former rear ones, which are now on the front, show good, smooth wear, for now, anyway. Curiously, when I rotated them, I noticed absolutely no difference in the condition; still seems to be coming from the front.

The wobble goes away below about 40mph or above about 58-60 mph. I've had it aligned, and balanced the wheels. I also replaced the upper kingpin bushing, which did show some wear, but not too much, I believe. My other concern is that when I replace the tires, whatever caused the fronts to wear funny will likewise ruin my new front tires.
What do you think??

 

Yep that is what ya got it sounds like. Mine has a bad tendancy to do it if i hit some sort of bump with my driver side front tire it will cause the shake to come on. Thats why i say i didn't buy a dodge i bought a cummins.

 

I get a wobble between 35-45mph too. The wheel bearings were just replaced, and there isnt any odd wear on the tires. What causes the wobble?

 

Mine was doing that and I found a cracked frame. It still does it after the repair but not nearly as bad. So far I have replaced the springs and drag link. I noticed some play in the steering gear so I'll replace that next. I figure that eventually I'll replace enough stuff to cure the problem. lol I also think that the cowl cracks add to the problem.

 

So far i have heard a number of things from alignment, track bar,shocks, balljoints, tierod ends. ect ect....

I have a new steering stabilizer, tie rods, ball joints, track bar, and it still came back. I am lost
mine i think has something to do with my alignment because it started after i put my leveling kit on

 

I had it on my Jeep Wrangler. The steering damper had gone bad. I replaced it and eliminated the DW.

 

Wow, something new to worry about! My 98 will occasionally have a case of the DW's, but in almost 600,000 miles, the 93 hasn't done that... yet.

chaikwa.

 

The death wobble often talked about is directed more toward the second gen trucks with their really lame track bar design. First gen trucks don't have track bars because the leaves are used to both hold the weight of the truck and locate the axle under the truck. Sadly, I think this makes it even harder to find the problems associated with the wobble on a first gen. I think there are way more cracked frames than people think. Cowl cracks, too. I just discovered my cowl crack yesterday Weak steering boxes coupled with even weaker steering joints (just get a borgeson unit) all add up to premature failure of all other components down the line. IMHO, once frame and cowl cracks are resolved, a borgeson shaft, aftermarket steering box and dual stabilizers on the tie rod would go a long way to a happy, healthy 4x4 front end. JMO.

g

 

most likely your drag link ( rod between the steering box and axle)is worn, it doesnt take much for it to cause the shake!

 

If not that drag link then i'd check your balljoints/king pins (which ever your axle has), and also check all of your spring bushings, including the ones on your shackels.

 

Hmmm..I'll recheck, but everything SEEMS tight, except, of course, the steering joint. I looked very carefully for evidence of a cracked cowl. I even removed the panel underneath the windshield wipers but could see nothing cracked. I supposed that it could still be cracked and that I just can't see it.
By the way, any ideas on where exactly the frame is known to crack?

 

Mine was cracked in several places. The one that really worried me was the crack under the sway bar bracket where the crossmember is riveted.I also found more cracks inside of the crossmember behind the bumper. All cracking on mine was on the drivers side.

 

Who knew? Thanks for the detail, spunbearing. Guess I'll crawl under and take a look-see and hope for the best.