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steering damper for death wobble??

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Old May 10, 2008 | 09:41 PM
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steering damper for death wobble??

i have been driveing for about 4 months w/ out one due to it got badly bent
and my D W has gotten pretty bad what could help
i have all almost new moog *****, and tie ends
who makes a good but cheap one

and will it help with death wobble
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Old May 11, 2008 | 12:33 PM
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It will definitly help. Don't know about cheap ones, but you shouldn't need one of those super expensive ones. How much from the dealer? The superlift dual setup is really nice and effective.

Be sure to check your track bar bolts, they easily loosen up more than people realize. Heck, with my big ole tires, I'm having to tighten mine about every 6weeks. Of course, I need to invest in loctite.

One more thing that helps is the lazarsmith trackbar bushings. There really nice for axle control.
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Old May 11, 2008 | 12:41 PM
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... and the LazarSmith trackbar bushings come with stainless steel shims for a tight fit in the OEM mounting brackets - then you can clamp down with the bolt's installation torque to hold the bar in place.

Otherwise, you can either weld new tabs on the brackets with the correct ID, or open the holes in the bracket up to the next size bolt (the trackbar bushings are already available with the larger insert).
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Old May 11, 2008 | 01:56 PM
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what else could couse D W what else could be done to tame it
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Old May 11, 2008 | 02:25 PM
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I just removed a level kit, Rancho shocks and goofy 315 showpony tires off a customer rig that couldn't tow his trailer due to the "death wobble" you've mentioned. Unfortunately he bought the truck used with the DW accessories already installed. Truck is back to stock and he's happy as can be.
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Old May 11, 2008 | 07:03 PM
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The best course of action is to align the front end properly before throwing parts at (or away from) the truck.

As much positive caster as you can - right to 5* - with a little more on the passenger side to account for road crown.
Your Moogs aren't adjustable, are they?
Set toe at minimum, and don't let "safe zone" settings be used to do it right - have it adjusted to your spec.

Steering dampers can help mask an underlying problem.
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Old May 11, 2008 | 07:47 PM
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I agree 100% with what XLR8R just said.
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Old May 11, 2008 | 07:56 PM
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Hello,

Obtain the best tire balance you can get. I recommend that the weight be placed on both the inner and outer rim edges equally.

Damon
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Old May 11, 2008 | 09:25 PM
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thanks everyone

i need to take off my lift i bought the truck w/ a leveling kit
and then put a 2.5" lift on top of that.
and now my front axle is off center,in need of a pitmen, sway bar drop and maybe longer control arms
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Old May 11, 2008 | 09:27 PM
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yes the upper ***** are adjustable were should they be set at??
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Old May 12, 2008 | 10:58 AM
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From: Smith Valley, NV (sometimes Redwood City, CA)
Florida,

You most likely have a tire balance problem, an out-of-round tire, or a bent wheel. And with no damper the shimmy can get out of control quick and become DW.

Get the best balance you can and put the tires with the smallest weights on the front. Get a good damper to help control those big wide meats. Max out the caster setting with the eccentric adjusters on the lower links. This rotates the axle clockwise viewing from the drivers side. It makes shimmy less likely but will not overpower the affect of a big bump or an out of balance wide tire.


John
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