On my way to work today, I was running very late. I was doing 85-90mph and I hit a bump in the road and the truck started shaking violently and didn't stop until I decelerated to about 60. It happened once more after that. I don't normally drive that fast anymore but I'm pretty concerned. I had the truck on the lift yesterday doing an oil change. I greased the ball joints and did a once over and everything looked fine. I checked my tires today and aside from being a little low on air, they looked OK. Does anyone have any ideas? I really don't want to go back to the dealer until I have a few things on the list.

 

I have seen concerns with GM trucks throwing there driveshaft out of balance due to the fact that they install Alumnium driveshafts on the trucks and due to the excessive torque that the diesels put out they cause the driveshaft to become unbalanced. <br>The only way u can test it without pulling it off the truck is to drive it fast and see if the vibration comes back. <br>I have personally had no conerns with my Dodge and I have had it up to 98mph, before the road started to turn...

 

This was no driveshaft vibration. It felt like all 4 wheels where about to fall off. ???

 

Sounds like the 'ole Death Wobble.

 

[quote author=MCummings link=board=17;threadid=16869;start=0#158260 date=1057800888]<br>Sounds like the 'ole Death Wobble.<br>[/quote]<br><br>Yep. Another &quot;benefit&quot; of a 4x4.......

 

What is the Death Wobble? Does it have anything to do with low tire pressure?

 

Can someone elaborate? I haven't been able to make it happen again, but I also haven't been driving at those speeds.

 

death wobble has to do with the design of the front and and the track bar system. the track bar is what keeps the front end under the truck where it is supposed to be. when they wear out the front end have a tendancy to move to the left and right..im not sure if this is what u experienced it could have to do with shocks and tire mass and vehicle speed. it a 6,000lbs truck which is not really designed to do 90mph and handle well..

 

Thanks DF. I will check out the track bar. The truck has only 8000 miles on her now.

 

Don't buy a new tracbar. Too much money. Just go to www.lukeslink.com and attach luke links to end of current trac bar. $70 compared to $300. Call numer on website and talk to Luke about it.<br><br>Also, Ask him about additional $8 piece for other end of tracbar. (IT'S WORTH IT) I don't know if you do the mechanical work or your mechanic, but you need a press for the $8 piece.

 

I doubt (hope, pray, beg) that it isn't a trac bar problem on a 2003 already.<br><br>I'd say it's tires or shocks.<br><br>Either inflation unevenity (new word :) or maybe he lost a tire balancing weight.<br><br>I'd take it to the dealer and have them rebalance the tires first.<br>Then perhaps check the shocks.<br>Factory shocks are crap, plain and simple.<br>Some have had them last for many trouble free miles, but most often, they are being replaced ASAP.<br><br>My .02c.<br><br><br>phox

 

There shouldn't be a death wobble with these trucks as the track bar is different. The 03's have bushings at either end not a bushing and balljoint assembly as previously used. I would first take a look at the steering shock, it may be loose or faulty.

 

Man, I thought they fixed that death wobble. My 95 4x4 did it and it will definetly get your attention. I remember that the dealers always said there was no such thing and since they couldn't duplicate it, the customers had to be hallucinating. Yet it is a very common occurence among 2nd gen 4x4 owners. Really disapointed to hear about it happening with an 03.<br><br>THe Lukes Link solved my problem. But that was a 2nd gen truck.

 

I read about someone with a broken track bar mount on one of the diesel forums. On an '03 of course. I'd check the mounts.

 

I didn't realise that the 2 wheel drive modles have grease points on them. As far as I know all the 4 X 4's don't have any points to be greased. DC didn't won't anyone to pronlong the life of the components and would rather have you pay to have it replaced if it fails outside of the warrenty period. ;D ;D