Just CAN'T Shake the Death Wobble.
#31
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It is a frustating occurance to be sure. I have had it several times. There is one bump on the highway (coming onto a overpass bridge) that I can recreate it every time. Now this occurs at highway speeds(65). It is not fun, you literally have to slow down to 20-25 to stop the violent shaking.
Now I was going to go back to the dealer with it, but I replaced the steering stabilizer with a Teraflex one. It still happens. They will probably blame it on the aftermarket parts.
I have been under there tightening everything. Nothing seems to work.
There is also quite a bit of bump steer too.
I guess I'll try a good local alignment shop next.
I'll let you all know.
John
Now I was going to go back to the dealer with it, but I replaced the steering stabilizer with a Teraflex one. It still happens. They will probably blame it on the aftermarket parts.
I have been under there tightening everything. Nothing seems to work.
There is also quite a bit of bump steer too.
I guess I'll try a good local alignment shop next.
I'll let you all know.
John
#32
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This crossed my mind. Right now I've got it under control, but adjustable arms are definitely on my list of things to do.
#33
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This is the 2nd recent death wobble thread I've read. I'm going to shoot down a lot of what's suggested as a fix based on my thoughts... please correct me if I'm wrong:
Steering Stabilizer: Can't be. Stabilizer is to stop/prevent sudden jerks, bump-steer etc, but not to stop a resonating wobble. If a stiffer stabilizer helps, it's simply masking the issue.
Tire balancing: Can't be. An unbalanced tire will definitely shake, but it's a rotational shake, not a 'side-to-side' steering shake. A spinning tire wants to go STRAIGHT, whether it's spinning nicely (balanced) or not.
As far as I can reason, the only way anything should wobble uncontrollably is if the caster is messed... something HAS to be messing with the way the wheel wants to track, and the fact that the wheel itself WANTS to go straight, it's gotta be something to do with the caster.
Even with loose tie-rod ends, there would be more play in the steering, but you wouldn't get a resonating wobble.
Has everyone with the wobble measured their caster angle?
Steering Stabilizer: Can't be. Stabilizer is to stop/prevent sudden jerks, bump-steer etc, but not to stop a resonating wobble. If a stiffer stabilizer helps, it's simply masking the issue.
Tire balancing: Can't be. An unbalanced tire will definitely shake, but it's a rotational shake, not a 'side-to-side' steering shake. A spinning tire wants to go STRAIGHT, whether it's spinning nicely (balanced) or not.
As far as I can reason, the only way anything should wobble uncontrollably is if the caster is messed... something HAS to be messing with the way the wheel wants to track, and the fact that the wheel itself WANTS to go straight, it's gotta be something to do with the caster.
Even with loose tie-rod ends, there would be more play in the steering, but you wouldn't get a resonating wobble.
Has everyone with the wobble measured their caster angle?
Last edited by noot; 10-19-2008 at 03:48 PM.
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Tire balancing: Can't be. An unbalanced tire will definitely shake, but it's a rotational shake, not a 'side-to-side' steering shake. A spinning tire wants to go STRAIGHT, whether it's spinning nicely (balanced) or not.
As far as I can reason, the only way anything should wobble uncontrollably is if the caster is messed... something HAS to be messing with the way the wheel wants to track, and the fact that the wheel itself WANTS to go straight, it's gotta be something to do with the caster.
Even with loose tie-rod ends, there would be more play in the steering, but you wouldn't get a resonating wobble.
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