I recently bought an 03 and while driving it the 1000 miles back home from texas, I started getting death wobble. It started abruptly after I had driven about 400 miles and as soon as it started it would get it very often. There was some noticeable wear in the front end so I replaced both U joints, both hub assemblies, 4 ball joints (XRF), steering stabilizer, installed a steering box brace, track bar (thurren adjustable), springs, shocks, and then had it aligned. On the way home from the alignment shop it got death wobble again. Not as bad and I was able to just slow down a little bit to stop it, but it was certainly still there. The tires, which are 31" old crappy mud tires that the previous owner took off a jeep or something, are in really bad shape and are clearly cupped and whatever else is wrong with them. I was trying to fix the DW before replacing them but now Im starting to think that they are possibly causing it. Ive looked all over about how to fix DW and many different threads say that tires do cause it but many say that they have nothing to do with it. Also some mention control arms. Im not sure to what to do next and Im in college and quickly running out of money so your guys help would be greatly apreciated.


Have any of y'all had death wobble this bad and what did you end up doing to fix it.

Thanks, Coop

 

Also I forgot to ask:

Would tie rod ends have anything to do with death wobble? mine appear to be pretty worn.

Thanks,

 

I'm surprised the shop did the alignment with crappy front tires. Most won't.

I would replace the tires for sure and if the tie rod ends are in bad shape those too. Easy for me to say because it's not my money, but I feel any worn parts in the front can be a part of the problem of DW.

 

Putting on new 10 ply truck tires and running at least 50 psi makes a huge difference regarding the death wobble.

 

All that's left is tie rod ends and tires. That HAS to fix it right?

 

Replace those tires ASAP! They are most likely the problem where you should have started...

 

Replace the tires and hover over the tire guy until the Hunter balancer reads "zero". I developed dw after having my Toyo AT's rebalanced and rotated. Must have been the kid's last day. When I returned the next day the other tire guys told me that each tire was up to 4oz off. Sabotage. When I reported it to the salesguys they seemed unfazed.
I e-mailed this company about the episode and never heard from them.

 

I ordered a set of 35s yesterday so I will let y'all know if that fixes it. I tried to hold off replacing the tires because I was afraid if the DW continued it would hurt my new tires. So the control arms don't have anything to do with the DW?? I sure hope not at what thurren wants for replacements ha.

 

What brand and type of 35's do you have coming?

 

This!


And typically the control arms wont have any affect on a stock suspension for DW.

 

35 kumho road venture M/T

 

No experience with these...however, they look sweet and are an "E" rated tire, so I assume this will be a good one to go with.

*I would have been more concerned had you gone with BFG A/Ts (I had terrible DW with these on my truck).

I'm sure with all you have done thus far and the new tires, it will be a whole new truck (ride wise...)

 

Had the tires mounted and balanced today. They ride great. From what I can tell so far absolutely no death wobble. I have to drive 400 miles next friday so ill definitely be able to tell if its fixed then.

Thanks for the help guys

 

I feel fairly confident that you should be taken care of now...new tires will make all the diffrence in the world. Good luck! I know 1st hand that DW is a FRUSTRATING problem!