4x4 Wobble

[Rukh]

Hello all, I just bought an '85 Suburban (intro post on the way), and it has a really severe shimmy.

I've read the posts about "death wobble" - not sure if this is it, as I have never experienced anything quite like this before. I understand that death wobble in all of it incarnations is usually related to worn suspension bits, and this truck certainly does have some wear and tear.

BTW, "Hi."

 

[Rukh]

Front driveshaft is shot, along with some steering components. We'll be sourcing others ASAP.

 

[throttleissues]

That would explain the wobble then.

 

[pseudomike]

I've never experienced death wobble in 4wd. It's something that usually manifests on the street around 30mph over just the right terrain. you would know if you had it because you would nearly C@#$ yourself as your head smashed off the interior of the truck. Ok, not that bad but definitely not fun.

I'd do the drive shaft, steering components, and if needed u-joints in the axle. If that doesn't solve it I wouldn't be surprised if the gear ratio front and rear are different.

 

[throttleissues]

Yeah, when you get death-wobble, you will swear the wheels are falling off. It doesn't stop until you get your speed way down. Mine usually started by hitting a dip at freeway speeds. It's a lot of fun. Everybody should try it at least once.

 

[Rukh]

OK, well I haven't really had a chance to work too much on the truck, as my wife lost her job for a while. Now that she's working and we're back to two incomes again, I will have the funds to get some stuff done.

I've been driving the truck, and experience the wobble almost every day in 2wd. It happens when I go over some sort of uneven "obstacle" on the road - like a manhole cover that only hits the passenger side tires, or a bump in the road. The truck starts oscillating and shaking violently, until I slow down or stop. (I think it's really ridiculous that I drive a truck with an 8" lift and 33" tires, and have to dodge manholes.)

So, what should I be looking to repair or replace do you guys think? Steering components and u-joints were mentioned, along with that driveshaft. What about suspension components?

Is it possible that installing some locating links might help?

 

[70jimmy]

Yep I would look at driveshafts / u-joints and then start with tie rod ends and ball joints on the front axle and go from there.

 

[andyblack]

Ball joints. To see if they're bad, and it sounds like they are - jack up the axle up until the tires are off the ground (probably want to do this one wheel at the time), grab hold of the tire and try to lift it up and down. If it moves at all, your ball joints are shot and need replacing.

 

[70jimmy]

When my ball joints were bad you would be going down the road and out of nowhere it would suddenly swerve right or left, like a ghost was jerking the wheel

 

[Rukh]

Oh, I get that too. I just figured it was due to play in the steering.

 

[90'K5]

After checking the upper/lower ball joints check your TREs and DLEs. Leave the wheels on the ground and have someone slightly/slowly turn the steering wheel back and forth. Look for movement before the wheels begin to turn.

 

[Rukh]

Well guys thanks for the advice, but my wife has found new employment that's pretty far away, and we're going to have to find something more fuel efficient for now. So, my project is up for sale.

There's an ad in the classified forum if you're interested.