It seems that in general most types of wobble are due to an 'exciting frequency', like the certain speeds or types of bumps described, and inadequate damping, like using bigger tires and/or lower tire pressures as described with no other changes to the suspension. If you want use bigger tires look closely at suspension/steering systems on vehicles that come from the factory with the tires, and that don't appear to have the problems. Soft, long travel shocks probably won't make things any better either.

Some motorcycles use to have serious steering wobble at certain speeds, I've seen older Triumphs and Kawasakis exhibit uncontrollable wobble, but you get well controlled ones to do it sometimes. A Suzuki 1100 that I had would exhibit wobble at multiples of 40 mph if I was only holding the handlebar with a couple of fingers on the throttle, but it would disappear completely if I just put one hand on the handlebar.

 

I put a superlift dual stabilizer kit on my truck, no more death wobble since.

 

I have an appointment with my dealer for this Thursday to try to fix my STOCK SUSPENSION from the death wobble! The first time I reported this - they found no problems and couldn't duplicate the crap either -- wanted me to come "make it happen with a tech on board" --- I told them NO WAY --- I was not going to experience it again! They FIX IT - or they OWN IT! 10,600 miles on a 45K truck - and they want me to try to wreck it!

So -- after we had the stare down -- and I did some research on the subject - I sent the dealer all the links etc -- and printouts of threads about the problem. Then sent a copy to an Automotive Defects attorney here in town.... Then called the GM of the Dealership -- and told him in no uncertain terms where I stood on driving this death trap! The Service manager then called to try to appease me... and said he'd discuss this with "Star Service". Today I got a call from the service writer - they received a THREE PAGE FAX from Chrysler(DC) on things to check and replace and re-torque to tigher specs than factory! As stated earlier - have an appointment Thursday - they want the truck for two days... so will hopefully have it back on Friday (1/21/05) and we'll see if it drives any "tighter" or if the DW returns. If it does - the truck gets parked on their lot -- toss them the keys - and their attorneys can talk to my attorneys because I'm not risking my life driving the SOB. I'll go over to the Found on Road Dead dealership and get a PowerJOKE -- it might not run - but perhaps it won't try to bounce my butt off the road either!

I'll post after the "repair" -- which sounds to me like a whole lot of "hope" and Remove and replace - and HOPE that it's fixed....

Dang -- I like this big azz diesel -- but I like life a little more!

 

Just wondering, but what size tires do you have?

 

Totally stock Goodyears ---

I was running 50 #s of pressure - and just bumped that to 60 #'s in the fronts - kept 50#'s in the rears.

Think the tires are 265's? and If I wasn't sitting here barefooted - I'd run out in the rain and look!!

 

An update to my post on Death Wobble on my brand new RAM 2500 SWB QC CTD...

After much beating on my chest -- and letters to the dealer -- THEY called me and said they had a 3 PAGE fax from STAR about how to check for the problem! Now we're getting somewhere. The dealer should have done this on their own without my whinning - but none the less - they did at least follow up once they knew I was more than serious.

They called today to say the Stabilizer was totally shot and that is had caused both tie rod ends to be worn out too! This truck has 10,700 miles on it! I always did think that it had too much "wobble" in the front end after small shocks to the suspension - but chocked this up to tire pressure and the truck being "stout".

Anyway - I'm more than happy to see they "think" they found a culprit - but I will also be very suspect of the truck now -- and will drive with apprehension "waiting" for the dreaded Death Wobble to rear it's ugly unsafe head.

I will drive with the stock suspension for a period of time - then upgrade to better shocks and stabilizer and the Piers "bar"... but want to wait to be sure if this "fix" is working so I don't get into the issue of non stock suspension with the factory.

Cheers!

 

What's this Piers bar you speak of?

 

Spoke with these folks via emal ---- and they said the " '03" trac bar will work on my 04.5 truck

http://www.piersdiesel.com/

Best,

 

Here's a list of everything the dealer did -- in steps to fix the DEATH WOBBLE -- just as stated verbatim on the work order.... Trust me the TRUCK FEELS MUCH DIFFERENT NOW! MUCH BETTER!!!!
Customer states vehicle shakes in front end very hard after hitting a bump at high speeds.
Check and advise.

Test Drive, was unable to verify concern.
Spoke to Customer dertermined needed to further research issue. Checked Tech connect. Found no TSB's.

Checked Star-Online. Found No issues.

Faxed Star. Received information to inspect for anti-tilt washers- and seals on the tie rod ends (present).

To reset toe +0.15 degrees on both sides with +0.30 degrees total. Performed. Was able to verify customer concern on this test drive.

Next Step. Reset tire pressures to 50 psi front & 40 psi rear. Balance tires to 0.00. Problem Still Present.

Next Step. Dissasemble outer tie-rods from knukles and inspect holes for grease, corrosion & smooth surface. Correct.

Installed new Tie-Rod ends Per STAR and Torque to 50 lbs + 90-120 degrees.

Inspect all engine and trans mounts for damage/looseness. None.

Next Step. Loosen and re-torque adjusting sleave bolts to 40-45 lbs. Outer tie-rod nuts to 90-95 lbs. Ball joint to pitman arm 70-75 lbs. Drag Link to tie rod nut 60-65 lbs, Track Bar 160 lbs. and inspect all front end bushings. Good and intact. Cross switched front tires. Problem still present.


Remove front shocks to inspect and test bounce / rebound. Proper. Checked front spring part numbers. Correct.

Next Step. Remove steering dampner and stroke side to side - after full travel in both directions many times an air/gas bubble formed and created a freeplay of 1 -2 inches! replaced dampner and test drive.

Found steering feel much improved and was unable to recreate concern.

END QUOTE

It's too bad that I had to play rough with the dealership to get them to do a little "research" on this safety issue! But I will give them credit for going the extra mile once they knew I was dead serious (no pun intended - thank you!) and got on the ball. The front end always had a little extra "jounce" side to side - and I chocked this up to big heavy tire and wheels and stiff truck suspension.... That extra 'jounce' in now completely gone -- so I know the tech fixed "something"... and I sure hope it also curred the Death Wobble!! I drove 75 and 80 mph for a few miles looking for things to hit along the way --- and all I got in return was dead quiet suspension. EEEEEEHHHHHHHHAAAAAAAAA. Next step - Bilstein shocks. As we all know the OEM stuff is most likely junk.[FONT=arial][COLOR=darkblue][COLOR=darkblue]

 

I am glad they found your problem.

I just installed the Bilstein 5100's. You will be very happy with the new shocks.

 

Believe me when I say - NOBODY is happier than I am. If you've ever been driving one of these 3 ton behemoths at 65 or 70 mph when this happens... You NEVER want it to happen again!

 

Oh I have!!! But I think my problems are related to the leveling kit and big tires. The new shocks seem to control the tendency towards Death Wobble. I have not been able to recreate the problem since I put the shocks on, but it still feels as though the tendency is there. Next trip to the dealer I will have them check by steering stabilizer. I doubt they will go through the same steps they went through with you...due to my mods.

 

Caster and camber adjustable ball joints on the top of each axel will cure this problem!

Been there done that!

 

So Gregweld do you think there may be a TSB forthcoming about this problem? I don't recall experiencing the "Death Wobble" myself with my truck, but this is my first "large" truck and I am pretty inexperienced. Mine has about 11,500 miles so far.

 

I wouldn't have a clue about that --- all I know for sure is... they had a written idea of what to service.

Given the millions of these trucks on the road - and the "few" reports of this issue even in a format such as these websites... I think it's a very small problem overall.

My beef is that the dealer "pooh poohed" the safety concerns I raised... that's what set me off.