Dodge 2500 Death Wobble

blazerbrad · 11-20-2012, 10:53 AM

Troubleshooting an issue for a local guy I know. His truck gets the death wobble sporadically, typically when going around 70 mph on the interstate and hitting just the right bump. I paint marked most of the bolts in the front suspension last night and got it to act up pretty bad this morning driving into work. Looking for any advice or experience on this. The guy had it to a couple different mechanics and of course they can't find anything "wrong". Looking for any advice.

2006 Dodge 2500 4x4
Cummins, front leveling kit (2"?), 315/70R17 BFG AT's on stock wheels
66,000 miles

Tires are fairly new and have been balanced and rotated a couple of times recently, but it's obviously not a tire issue. Just had new shocks installed on the front. Rides smooth, and no brake pulsing.

Has NOT had an alignment anytime recently...if I don't find anything obviously loose tonight will take it in to a shop and see what the numbers are. Think this guy bought the truck with the leveling kit already installed and who knows if the alignment was checked and/or adjusted afterwards. It will be interesting to see what the caster is.

UPDATE as of 11/19:
In process of moving so all of my tools are in my dad's small shop, so went there after work. Long story short, he decided to go to Columbus I didn't have anybody to move the steering while I inspected underneath and the shop was locked.

Scrounged around and found my 3/4" socket set so added a little positive caster to the front, but got DW again during a test drive.

Next step is an alignment to see what the numbers are.

Anybody in the club have an setup able to handle the alignment of a 2500 MegaCab (I know several shops can't handle a truck that long....I had to go to several to have my Chevy 2500HD Crew Cab/short bed aligned). Or experience looking at these? I will be in the Mason area most evenings this week and could bring it down.

humpy · 11-20-2012, 11:02 AM

Southside services in bethel

blazerbrad · 11-20-2012, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by humpy

Southside services in bethel

Prefer something a little closer, but thanks for the recommendation.

itbrokeagain · 11-20-2012, 12:25 PM

Holman motors eastgate

Flxratd · 11-20-2012, 12:33 PM

dans truck alignment on cin/day road..great work on big stuff..truggy had some work done by him and i beleive he was very happy...

itbrokeagain · 11-20-2012, 01:22 PM

Maybe freightliner in Sharonville

Hope Springs Hauler · 11-20-2012, 02:54 PM

a bunch of guys on a diesel truck board mention the trac bar being worn as a big cause of DW

94Dodge Truggy · 11-21-2012, 10:02 AM

Track bar is usually the culprit or upper and lower ball joints. After 100,000 miles they usually are finished. Dan's truck alignment is the bomb! Second is TD performance across from bass pro shops ask for kevin to align.

mike shelton · 11-21-2012, 06:10 PM

mine was the track bar.

twiztedzuki · 11-21-2012, 06:20 PM

mine was track bar also

blazerbrad · 11-22-2012, 09:51 AM

Did you use an oem replacement or aftermarket?

Got it on the rack and both lower ball joints had play, pass side worse. Drag link at steering box makes a light pop when you pull on it. Still need to get somebody to turn wheel back and forth while I look at it.

11-20-2012, 10:53 AM	#1
blazerbrad - CORE Member - Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 831 Images: 6	Dodge 2500 Death Wobble Troubleshooting an issue for a local guy I know. His truck gets the death wobble sporadically, typically when going around 70 mph on the interstate and hitting just the right bump. I paint marked most of the bolts in the front suspension last night and got it to act up pretty bad this morning driving into work. Looking for any advice or experience on this. The guy had it to a couple different mechanics and of course they can't find anything "wrong". Looking for any advice. 2006 Dodge 2500 4x4 Cummins, front leveling kit (2"?), 315/70R17 BFG AT's on stock wheels 66,000 miles Tires are fairly new and have been balanced and rotated a couple of times recently, but it's obviously not a tire issue. Just had new shocks installed on the front. Rides smooth, and no brake pulsing. Has NOT had an alignment anytime recently...if I don't find anything obviously loose tonight will take it in to a shop and see what the numbers are. Think this guy bought the truck with the leveling kit already installed and who knows if the alignment was checked and/or adjusted afterwards. It will be interesting to see what the caster is. UPDATE as of 11/19: In process of moving so all of my tools are in my dad's small shop, so went there after work. Long story short, he decided to go to Columbus I didn't have anybody to move the steering while I inspected underneath and the shop was locked. Scrounged around and found my 3/4" socket set so added a little positive caster to the front, but got DW again during a test drive. Next step is an alignment to see what the numbers are. Anybody in the club have an setup able to handle the alignment of a 2500 MegaCab (I know several shops can't handle a truck that long....I had to go to several to have my Chevy 2500HD Crew Cab/short bed aligned). Or experience looking at these? I will be in the Mason area most evenings this week and could bring it down.

11-20-2012, 11:02 AM	#2
humpy Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 573	Southside services in bethel __________________ S10 with a few air shocks..

11-20-2012, 12:25 PM	#4
itbrokeagain Just Empty Every Pocket - CORE Member - Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Amelia Posts: 1,435	Holman motors eastgate __________________ 91 fj 80 on 37 Nitto Muds with a 10k winch. Cage and sliders coming soon.

11-20-2012, 12:33 PM	#5
Flxratd Retired Join Date: May 2008 Location: Hamilton/Ross Posts: 645	dans truck alignment on cin/day road..great work on big stuff..truggy had some work done by him and i beleive he was very happy... __________________ One of these days Zuk 2.0

11-20-2012, 01:22 PM	#6
itbrokeagain Just Empty Every Pocket - CORE Member - Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Amelia Posts: 1,435	Maybe freightliner in Sharonville __________________ 91 fj 80 on 37 Nitto Muds with a 10k winch. Cage and sliders coming soon.

11-20-2012, 02:54 PM	#7
Hope Springs Hauler Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Hamilton, OH Posts: 431 Images: 16	a bunch of guys on a diesel truck board mention the trac bar being worn as a big cause of DW __________________ 1988 Suzuki Samurai on propane FJ 40 axles (4.10) 5.14 tcase 36" TSL SX

11-21-2012, 10:02 AM	#8
94Dodge Truggy EX-Vice President Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Fairfield, Ohio Posts: 3,048	Track bar is usually the culprit or upper and lower ball joints. After 100,000 miles they usually are finished. Dan's truck alignment is the bomb! Second is TD performance across from bass pro shops ask for kevin to align. __________________

11-21-2012, 06:10 PM	#9
mike shelton Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: waco ky Posts: 211	mine was the track bar.

11-21-2012, 06:20 PM	#10
twiztedzuki Join Date: May 2008 Location: Waverly ohio Posts: 586	mine was track bar also __________________ SMITH BUILT PERIOD

11-22-2012, 09:51 AM	#11
blazerbrad - CORE Member - Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 831 Images: 6	Did you use an oem replacement or aftermarket? Got it on the rack and both lower ball joints had play, pass side worse. Drag link at steering box makes a light pop when you pull on it. Still need to get somebody to turn wheel back and forth while I look at it.