Death wobble....I think????

[wannabek5]

Alright guys,

I am having some issues with the front end of my K5. A little back ground first, 86 K5 with 1 tons and 37" GY's, ORD crossover and 1.5" tie rod with TRE's. Ord steering box weld-in plate and bolt in brace also installed.

I was having some "death wobble" issues while driving...or so I thought. So this past weekend I pulled the front end apart to check everything out. Found that all wheel bearings were somewhat new, still had good grease. So I cleaned,checked and re-packed the bearings. Inspected the upper and lower kingpins. Found everything to be in good shape.

So with everything back together, I go for a drive. Everything goes great until I hit a pot hole with the right front. Then as soon as I hit that pot hole the entire front end starts violently shaking from side to side!!! I had to come to a complete stop for it to go away.

I need some input as where to look now. Not sure if my leaf spring bolts/u-bolts are loose or what???

Please help


Thanks
Eric

 

[sweetk30]

ding ding ding = death wobble

the king pin springs may look good but thay are basicly the first to wear out and sag and make less pressure to hold the nylon bushing on the upper king pin. i have fixed a lot of death wobble on dana 60's with new bushings and springs. donst fix all but a lot of them. and there cheep n easy to install for simple fast fix/check item.

and LOTS of death wobble info in the garage if you search.

 

[big pappa b]

Check the ORD website for the spring and bushing kit. Don't waste time looking elsewhere..I think every place out there gets them from ORD

 

[wannabek5]

Thanks guys, but I just replaced the upper and lower bushings and bearings when I had the front end apart. Thats why Im stumped, I basically rebuilt the entire front end and still have this issue. Its not a speed related issue, only when I hit a pothole on one side or the other. Could my leaf springs be loose? Is my steering gear box trash now from havinbg DW for so long?

 

[big pappa b]

I wouldn't think the box is trashed. Easy enough to check to see if it's loose. Hell, the steering box bolts could be loose too. But check the U-bolts too

 

[wannabek5]

thats my next step tomorrow, from what ive found. the u-bolt torque is around 150 ft.lbs, correct? how bout the 2 bolts on the passenger side? are they also 150 ft.lbs?

 

[K85 Octane]

Thanks guys, but I just replaced the upper and lower bushings and bearings when I had the front end apart.

springs too?
If you did, might want to try a washer on the springs to increase the load on the bushings.

 

[big pappa b]

150ft/lbs on the u-bolts. I'm looking for the torque on the 2 bolts

 

[wannabek5]

Ok, well I went out today and after putting a wrench on all of the u-bolts. Found all of the front ones were loose, so I'm going to be ordering all new u-bolts and bolts for the front end. Looks like when the front axle was changed they re-used the original parts.

 

[sweetk30]

thats scarry

had that happen 1 time.

THIS IS WHY U-BOLTS ARE NON REUSED ITEMS.

 

[big pappa b]

Glad you found it and it's an easy fix

 

[sweetk30]

drop the axle a bit and check the center pins and index holes on the axle. when mine come loosse it egged the weld on perch on driver side and i had to fix it. and also had to do new center pins.