Bad day just got REAL bad!
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From: London, OH
Bad day just got REAL bad!
Ok, so I went looking for Premium Winterized Diesel to fill up my truck just about an hour ago. I couldn't find any places that had it, so I settled for fueling up at Fuel Mart.
I guess I have never experienced the pumps that do not stop on their own when the tank it full. Now, I don't know if there is such a thing, or the **** thing was broken... but nevertheless, diesel went all over my truck and onto the floor. I was not a happy camper, knowing the things diesel can do to paint.
Then, going out of the gas station, I took a wrong turn and pulled into a driveway to turn around... almost slid into a telephone pole in the process. Then I put it into 4 wheel drive to get out of the snow and was on my merry way.
But that's only where my fun begins...
Driving home, I experienced one of the scariest things I've ever had the "pleasure" of experiencing. Shortly after I got on the interstate, I got up to about 65pmh and my truck started to shake. And this was not any shake... this was an EXTREMELY violent shake. So violent I could not keep it on the road. Luckily, no one was coming so I pulled over and stopped.
Ok, nothing seemed to be noticably wrong after I stopped. I decided to tell myself it was just the interstate that was VERY bumpy in that area. (Although, I know in my heart that NO ROAD is THIS bumpy.)
So I stepped on the accelerator and began my journey home...
I get up to about 65-70 again and IT HAPPENS AGAIN! This thing was shaking so violently, it was not even funny. I have never been shook so hard in my life before (except for about 60 seconds before that!). So I pulled over YET AGAIN and stopped and put it into park. I sat there for a minute to collect myself. I had no idea what to do. So I took off again. This time I did not accelerate to over 55 and it did not happen again on my 10 minute trip home.
I parked in the dorm parking lot and did a visual check the best I could in the dark. Everything seemed to be alright. No puddles of anything on the ground... nothing smoking... etc. I didn't get a real good look though because it's pretty dark outside...
What happened!? Does anyone have any ideas?? Was it a fluke? Was the road really that bumpy? Did my transmission blow? Did the fuel cause it? I need some major assistance here!
While on the way home, I tried to notice if the TC was locking up or going into the last gear while going 55mph... but I didn't get the chance to. It usually is done shifting around the 45-55mph mark... so I don't believe its my transmission... but I could be wrong. (I hope not though)
I guess I have never experienced the pumps that do not stop on their own when the tank it full. Now, I don't know if there is such a thing, or the **** thing was broken... but nevertheless, diesel went all over my truck and onto the floor. I was not a happy camper, knowing the things diesel can do to paint.
Then, going out of the gas station, I took a wrong turn and pulled into a driveway to turn around... almost slid into a telephone pole in the process. Then I put it into 4 wheel drive to get out of the snow and was on my merry way.
But that's only where my fun begins...
Driving home, I experienced one of the scariest things I've ever had the "pleasure" of experiencing. Shortly after I got on the interstate, I got up to about 65pmh and my truck started to shake. And this was not any shake... this was an EXTREMELY violent shake. So violent I could not keep it on the road. Luckily, no one was coming so I pulled over and stopped.
Ok, nothing seemed to be noticably wrong after I stopped. I decided to tell myself it was just the interstate that was VERY bumpy in that area. (Although, I know in my heart that NO ROAD is THIS bumpy.)
So I stepped on the accelerator and began my journey home...
I get up to about 65-70 again and IT HAPPENS AGAIN! This thing was shaking so violently, it was not even funny. I have never been shook so hard in my life before (except for about 60 seconds before that!). So I pulled over YET AGAIN and stopped and put it into park. I sat there for a minute to collect myself. I had no idea what to do. So I took off again. This time I did not accelerate to over 55 and it did not happen again on my 10 minute trip home.
I parked in the dorm parking lot and did a visual check the best I could in the dark. Everything seemed to be alright. No puddles of anything on the ground... nothing smoking... etc. I didn't get a real good look though because it's pretty dark outside...
What happened!? Does anyone have any ideas?? Was it a fluke? Was the road really that bumpy? Did my transmission blow? Did the fuel cause it? I need some major assistance here!
While on the way home, I tried to notice if the TC was locking up or going into the last gear while going 55mph... but I didn't get the chance to. It usually is done shifting around the 45-55mph mark... so I don't believe its my transmission... but I could be wrong. (I hope not though)
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From: Sandy, Utah
Re:Bad day just got REAL bad!
I believe you experience the "death wobble".
Dodge 4x4's owners have experienced this.
Check your trackbar.
I wish I had a picture, since they are worth 1,000 words and all, but it shouldn't have any play in it.
Best thing to do is have someone turn the front wheels back and forth while you lay in front of the truck and watch the connection on the drivers side.
If it moves more than a couple of millimeters, you need a new one.
Here's a couple of links to threads on it.
https://www.dieseltruckresource.com/...d=5218;start=0
https://www.dieseltruckresource.com/...d=4433;start=0
https://www.dieseltruckresource.com/...d=6279;start=0
https://www.dieseltruckresource.com/...d=8860;start=0
Good luck.
phox
Dodge 4x4's owners have experienced this.
Check your trackbar.
I wish I had a picture, since they are worth 1,000 words and all, but it shouldn't have any play in it.
Best thing to do is have someone turn the front wheels back and forth while you lay in front of the truck and watch the connection on the drivers side.
If it moves more than a couple of millimeters, you need a new one.
Here's a couple of links to threads on it.
https://www.dieseltruckresource.com/...d=5218;start=0
https://www.dieseltruckresource.com/...d=4433;start=0
https://www.dieseltruckresource.com/...d=6279;start=0
https://www.dieseltruckresource.com/...d=8860;start=0
Good luck.
phox
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From: London, OH
Re:Bad day just got REAL bad!
The descriptions under those links sound about like my problem.<br><br>Death Wobble... wow, I have never come across something so correctly named. It was very scarey.<br><br>Thank you for the links, phox.
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From: MidWest
Re:Bad day just got REAL bad!
I took a wrong turn and pulled into a driveway to turn around... almost slid into a telephone pole in the process. Then I put it into 4 wheel drive to get out of the snow and was on my merry way.
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From: London, OH
Re:Bad day just got REAL bad!
[quote author=T.Clark link=board=13;threadid=10352;start=0#99102 date=1044070500]<br>The way things are going for you - DON’T LAY IN FRONT OF THE TRUCK!!!!<br>[/quote]<br><br>No kidding, huh? I'm not going to inspect any further until tomorrow morning... hopefully this wonderful luck will pass by then!<br><br><br>DieselDaze, I didn't actually hit anything while in the slide (thankfully). I came to a stop about an inch in front of the pole. It was all frozen driveway right up to it, no curbs.<br><br>The first truck stop I pulled into checking for fuel was very rough though. And the interstate had some pretty harsh spots in it. So it's very realistic that this problem just manifested itself tonight.<br><br>If it is the track bar, I'm assuming that if I talk to a dealer about it, they will want to replace the entire bar and not just the pieces that Luke's Links replaces?<br>
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Re:Bad day just got REAL bad!
Diesel pump auto-shutoffs are notoriously ineffective, IMHO. Either hair-triggers or non-functional. Some stations in my area have removed the hold-open latches altogether, or posted signs warning not to leave vehicle when refueling. One station I frequent (truck stop) keeps spill-dry handy for the inevitable oops... :
<br><br>I'm on my sixth (I think...) trackbar, but have never had the "death wobble" - though a lot of others have. Maybe it's my big tires... If you haven't checked your trackbar as phox says, it'd be a good idea. Real weak link on the 4x4 Ram.<br><br>May also want to check the following -<br>Look inside wheel rims for snow/mud/ice build up. Sometimes water will puddle/freeze in a rim throwing it out of balance at high speed.<br>Though highly unlikely, check the driveshaft for foreign matter. I actually managed to snare a piece of plastic off the road once, which wound itself around the shaft so tight, had to cut it off. <br>If the truck had been run for an extended time (enough for tires to warm), then parked overnight during cold temps, the tires can actually take a "set" (like having a flat spot). Can feel like square tires until they warm enough to "round out". Have had this happen before, but only during very cold temps (say 0*F & lower).<br><br>Hey, now at least you don't have to tell people you drive a diesel when you walk into a room (watch all the nose twitching ;D). I think there must be a corollary to Murphy that states that is impossible to fuel a diesel tank without spilling some on the vehicle, fueler, fueler's shoes and clothes. The cleaner and newer the clothes, the more likely a spill. Not to worry though; the 'aroma' will dissipate in a month or 2 or 3... Of course, I'm just guessing - never happened to me...<br> ;D 
;D<br><br>Good luck,<br>-Scott
<br><br>I'm on my sixth (I think...) trackbar, but have never had the "death wobble" - though a lot of others have. Maybe it's my big tires... If you haven't checked your trackbar as phox says, it'd be a good idea. Real weak link on the 4x4 Ram.<br><br>May also want to check the following -<br>Look inside wheel rims for snow/mud/ice build up. Sometimes water will puddle/freeze in a rim throwing it out of balance at high speed.<br>Though highly unlikely, check the driveshaft for foreign matter. I actually managed to snare a piece of plastic off the road once, which wound itself around the shaft so tight, had to cut it off. <br>If the truck had been run for an extended time (enough for tires to warm), then parked overnight during cold temps, the tires can actually take a "set" (like having a flat spot). Can feel like square tires until they warm enough to "round out". Have had this happen before, but only during very cold temps (say 0*F & lower).<br><br>Hey, now at least you don't have to tell people you drive a diesel when you walk into a room (watch all the nose twitching ;D). I think there must be a corollary to Murphy that states that is impossible to fuel a diesel tank without spilling some on the vehicle, fueler, fueler's shoes and clothes. The cleaner and newer the clothes, the more likely a spill. Not to worry though; the 'aroma' will dissipate in a month or 2 or 3... Of course, I'm just guessing - never happened to me...<br> ;D ;D<br><br>Good luck,<br>-Scott
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From: Flat Rock, MI
Re:Bad day just got REAL bad!
[quote author=doomgaze link=board=13;threadid=10352;start=0#99071 date=1044066335]<br>Ok, nothing seemed to be noticably wrong after I stopped. I decided to tell myself it was just the interstate that was VERY bumpy in that area. (Although, I know in my heart that NO ROAD is THIS bumpy.)<br>[/quote]<br><br><br>Try Southbound I-75 in Michigan between exits 42 - 37... 
at least they will be tearing it up in the spring... ;D
at least they will be tearing it up in the spring... ;D
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Re:Bad day just got REAL bad!
[quote author=doomgaze link=board=13;threadid=10352;start=0#99134 date=1044074740]<br>Will driving it with a worn out track bar do any more damage than what's already done?<br><br>It seems to still drive okay at lower speeds.<br>[/quote]<br>Not unless it totally breaks, but never heard of that happening. Just makes steering wander all over the place.<br>Do wonder if it does accelerate wear on the steering box, as I'm on #3, which has a worn pitman shaft bearing (again)...<br><br>If I recall, Dodge had a TSB for C&C 3500 4x4 rams for the "wobble problem". It was to check trackbar (replace if needed) and add a dual steering stablilizer kit (made by Rancho!). Didn't mention reg 2500/3500 rams, just the cab/chasis though. This is fairly common problem w/most solid axle front suspensions though, due to the steering linkage design. Changed my steering stablilizer, which helped - but next time think I'll go to a dual Rancho setup.<br><br>Regards,<br>-Scott
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From: London, OH
Re:Bad day just got REAL bad!
[quote author=TPilaske link=board=13;threadid=10352;start=0#99142 date=1044075550]<br>Try Southbound I-75 in Michigan between exits 42 - 37... at least they will be tearing it up in the spring... ;D<br>[/quote]<br><br>This was Southbound I-75 between Bowling Green & Findlay Ohio. Maybe it is partly the road. I-75 isn't exactly know for smoothness 
at least they will be tearing it up in the spring... ;D<br>[/quote]<br><br>This was Southbound I-75 between Bowling Green & Findlay Ohio. Maybe it is partly the road. I-75 isn't exactly know for smoothness
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From: Flat Rock, MI
Re:Bad day just got REAL bad!
<br>This was Southbound I-75 between Bowling Green & Findlay Ohio. Maybe it is partly the road. I-75 isn't exactly know for smoothness <br>
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Re:Bad day just got REAL bad!
Then, going out of the gas station, I took a wrong turn and pulled into a driveway to turn around... almost slid into a telephone pole in the process. Then I put it into 4 wheel drive to get out of the snow and was on my merry way.
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From: Payson, Utah
Re:Bad day just got REAL bad!
You may want to check bearing on the front axil, I had a very bad wobble on my 4X4 one day. I took apart the front hubs and found the seal, bearings and 4x4 locking hub all in a very bad way. You may also check the U joins on the drive line, if they are tight or seized, they can create quite the wobble at about 60 mph. Good luck.
