I had DW on this truck awhile back and I upgraded the trackbar, problem solved. Then I started to get a thump under the floor on the drivers side when changing direction from forward to reverse or vice versa. I replaced all the ball joints and the thump is still there. Not only that, but I had one of the worst DW events ever last night on the highway, almost pitched me into the guard rail.
The control arm bushings look a little beat up and thats really the only thing left to replace. Anyone heard of control arms being the culprit?
Ive inspected the trackbar stud and it looks ok, no real play in it.
I think the DW last night killed one of my ball joints in the steering linkage. Hope it didnt damage the new ball joints

 

I get death wobble too. It only happens when I drive over a sharp drop off at highway speeds (~50-80 MPH) and it goes away as soon as I slow down to around 35.
Right now I am replacing shocks because they are way overdue, but will look at the undercarriage to see what else might be a culprit.
Did you have to do any engine mods to start running pure biodiesel?

 

I could see how the control arm bushings would cause DW. Might as well get them done too. Are your tires balanced and have you set the caster properly? There really isn't room for a "range" on the caster on these trucks. It should be set exactly at spec.

http://dodgeram.org/tech/specs/00_steer_specs.html


For biodiesel, you gotta change all the fuel lines. Rubber won't hold up well. After that, a few fuel filter changes. That's all I know of.

 

I had the alignment done awhile back, but the new balljoints may have thrown the alignment -out- of whack if they were bad when I had it done. Who knows! The tires are also chewed from the balljoints, so I need to swap them front to back.
The control arms I think Im just going to press out the bushings and put in new ones. Theyre cheap enough. Then Ill get it re-aligned.
I ordered a new steering damper and Im going to luke's link or replace the tie rods if I can get them to wiggle.
I went under there this afternoon and cranked down the bolts on the control arms, still thumps when I turn the wheel or change direction. Dont think its the trackbar but stranger things have happened. Dunno what else is left. I pried on every joint I could find with a crowbar and nothing budged. Will try again with the weight off the axle tomorrow maybe.
Biodiesel is a straight replacement for diesel as a fuel. You just need to get quality fuel. Dont run it at more than 20% on the newer trucks though. Cummins has approved 20% on some and maybe as low as 5% on the new engines. Theyre really picky about fuel quality at those pressures.

 

hi
do the o3 trackbar upgrade and install urathane sway bar bushings andend link bushings !
mine steeres like a car and no DW! befor it was all over the road !

 

wcbcruzer, that is a great link. Thanks all for the help.

I checked out the '03 track bar upgrade at solidsteel.biz, thanks oldblues.

 

Just put a dual stabilizer on the truck this afternoon and picked up some new control arm bushings. Theres an awful thump under the drivers floor when I turn the wheel right and left just like when the track bar went bad. But the thuren one is fairly new and I cant imagine its toast already.
Im hoping its the upper control arm

 

Well let me know how the control arm bushing install went. I'm thinking about doing it too.

 

So if ball joints are shot would the inside of the tires on the tread be uneven wear or is that bad shocks all the way around causing my steering greif? my shocks are still oem and what about the dss I know my ball joints might be dead as i hear a hissing when i turn

 

K'

Have someone shift from drive to reverse with the brakes on while you look at the control arms for any movement. Urethane bushings are available through summit, jegs, etc... Good luck.

 

The ball joints allow the tires to get cocked and they wear on the outside edge. they were due for replacement anyhow. Too bad they werent involved in the thump sound under the truck =(
I doubt control arms will cause a thump but it looks like theyre bad anyhow. I went with TRW rubber replacements since I dont intend on keeping the stock control arms for long.
Im starting to think one of the steering linkage balljoints are bad. Might try putting on some lukes links.

 

mike im hijacking your thread!!! seems we both just installed ball joints, both trucks are similar in year. My truck only on the drivers sied is killing me. I can hit as many holes as i want with the passenger side but as soon as the drivers hits a bump its hold on for dear life.

Recently, all tie rods have been replaced, ball joints have been replaced, alignment done, swaybar bushings and links. This all started when i decided t go fixing the truck, what could be the cause of the crazy wobble. Its very horrifying........

 

you know, I have this exact same problem. Its always been on the drivers side come to think of it.
I put on a twin shock steering damper to see if that will help. Also am looking into a rebuild kit from don thuren to see if that helps. I can see the arm move over the stud a little. I dunno how I killed it, that thing is really tough. But my balljoints killed the tires already so who knows.
My control arm bushings look bad too, but I need to save some cash for Don's control arms since those bolts are in there solid. I tried to remove the bolts and they were in there so bad the mount on the frame got pressed out with the bushing. Its going to need to get cut off with a torch
Oh ya, change your sig, you live in a real state now .

 

hahaha, lol ummm im going to try the track bar. I might do the conversion to a third gen. My uncle is a very intelligant technician. He hasnt been able to get it to do it yet so he is clueless. We will see what happens, money is tight so if i can come across some real money i will be all set....

 

Solve all of your problems this way. Just did it to my friends truck, and doing mine this weekend.

5 Peice Lukes Link, all tie rod ends and track bar. Never deal with it again, and they are much cheaper than replacement parts that will wear again. A guy on EBAY wil sell you the 5 piece kit for 290. Or 62 each
Also, replace your shocks. Bushings are probably worn on the top side, get some Bilstein HD's.. Work miracles.. And if you havnt changed your ball joints, do it...

heres what we did, and are doing this weekend

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...142449157&rd=1

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...152154518&rd=1

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...151073051&rd=1

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...141690056&rd=1