Death wobble!

[80' 427]

I did a search and found lots of info but most I have done. My k30 always had a bit of it up to about 30mph not bad but there. Yesterday we put in a lock rite, added a drop pitman and tightened the U bolts on the springs. Now I can shake paint in it everytime I hit a bump. My stablizer is new but stock replacement. I have shimmed the kingpins and repacked the front bearings and tightened the steering box. Could a heavier stablizier fix this? My 37s are HEAVY and I could see that once they flop one way they set up a cycle.

 

[MTBLAZER89]

How is your toe in? Caster?

Steering box to the frame tight? Check for cracks?

Shackle bushings in good shape?

A bigger/better stabilizer will only mask it not really fix it if it does anything.

 

[80' 427]

How is your toe in? Caster?

Steering box to the frame tight? Check for cracks?

Shackle bushings in good shape?

A bigger/better stabilizer will only mask it not really fix it if it does anything.

toe is a little to much (tie rod bent). Idk on caster. Will check box no cracks in the frame. All bushings replaced.

 

[tRustyK5]

Probably time for new KP bushings and springs...the rebuild kit is about $100 for both sides.

One other thing to check though is lateral movement of the axle. In park and running have someone turn the wheel lock to lock and watch the leaf springs and the axle itself. If you see the axle move laterally, or the springs deflect laterally that would be a big contributor to the death wobble issue. Cross tying the shackles isn't a bad idea, as they're often a culprit for lateral instability.

If all that looks good I'd say new bushings and springs should do wonders for you.

Rene

 

[Stomis]

Probably time for new KP bushings and springs...the rebuild kit is about $100 for both sides.

One other thing to check though is lateral movement of the axle. In park and running have someone turn the wheel lock to lock and watch the leaf springs and the axle itself. If you see the axle move laterally, or the springs deflect laterally that would be a big contributor to the death wobble issue. Cross tying the shackles isn't a bad idea, as they're often a culprit for lateral instability.

If all that looks good I'd say new bushings and springs should do wonders for you.

Rene

If this is the case then fix it right and dont go putting a panhard bar on your truck like some people I know locally...

 

[86chevred1tun]

just curious.. why wouldnt a panhard bar be a "fix it right" solution?

 

[tRustyK5]

It technically is the correct fix IMO. Provided it's done correctly and the angle isn't stupid.

Rene

 

[BIGCHEVYTRUCKDRIVER]

Fix tie rod drove my truck to the trail with 37's and no steering stabilizer at all 60+ MPH bent the tie rod on the tril and death wobble that would damn near atke you off the road.

 

[Stomis]

just curious.. why wouldnt a panhard bar be a "fix it right" solution?

Its just a mask like a steering stabilizer or a hydro ram.

Even if you install one whatever is loose and causing lateral movement is still loose and not correct, the panhard just doesnt let it wiggle.

 

[tRustyK5]

Lateral movement being eliminated isn't a mask or a band-aid. It's fixing something that should not be happening and does contribute to DW.

OEM front leafs had flat or slightly negative arch springs. With that type of spring they could easily run a fairly short and stable shackle. With no lift they were able to easily accomplish a perfectly flat drag link angle too. Throughout the limited stock range of motion there was nothing trying to move the axle aside from up and down.

The higher we lift them, and the softer our front springs, the longer our front shackles, the more mass we add through larger tires the more we create potential for very unwanted motion...specifically lateral walk under a quick compression. This induces forces on the King pin set-up that exceeds their ability to deal with, and the bushings unseat from the KP's momentarily.

So, we create all these extra forces but do next to nothing to mitigate them. A Panhard or track bar is a way to mitigate a lot of the unwanted movement. I dunno about you, but I want my front end to stay centered under the truck.

A band-aid masks the symptoms rather than addressing the cause. 4 stabilizers is a mask or a band-aid. A panhard deals with the initial problem eliminating the need for a band-aid.

A panhard or track bar with leaf springs is not unprecedented. Quite a few OEM's used them...Check any Jeep YJ.

Rene

 

[tRustyK5]

I want to add the IMO the king pin design used in the D60's is marginal for maintaining control. The springs are easily over powered by the forces put on them even with stock tires.

one or two washers used to increase KP spring rate does work mostly...but something more solid (than springs) in that area is probably a good sized piece of the puzzle.

Ballistic fab makes high steer arms that eliminate the KP springs.

http://www.ballisticfabrication.com/D60-high-steer-kit-for-kingpin-axles_p_1246.html

Rene

 

[Stomis]

Rusty I'm not saying a panhard doesnt have a place. All I'm saying is that if his movement is due to something being shot then throwing a panhard at it is a bandaid.

 

[scrappyk5]

Lateral movement being eliminated isn't a mask or a band-aid. It's fixing something that should not be happening and does contribute to DW.

OEM front leafs had flat or slightly negative arch springs. With that type of spring they could easily run a fairly short and stable shackle. With no lift they were able to easily accomplish a perfectly flat drag link angle too. Throughout the limited stock range of motion there was nothing trying to move the axle aside from up and down.

The higher we lift them, and the softer our front springs, the longer our front shackles, the more mass we add through larger tires the more we create potential for very unwanted motion...specifically lateral walk under a quick compression. This induces forces on the King pin set-up that exceeds their ability to deal with, and the bushings unseat from the KP's momentarily.

So, we create all these extra forces but do next to nothing to mitigate them. A Panhard or track bar is a way to mitigate a lot of the unwanted movement. I dunno about you, but I want my front end to stay centered under the truck.

A band-aid masks the symptoms rather than addressing the cause. 4 stabilizers is a mask or a band-aid. A panhard deals with the initial problem eliminating the need for a band-aid.

A panhard or track bar with leaf springs is not unprecedented. Quite a few OEM's used them...Check any Jeep YJ.

Rene

Very well put

 

[tRustyK5]

Rusty I'm not saying a panhard doesnt have a place. All I'm saying is that if his movement is due to something being shot then throwing a panhard at it is a bandaid.

I agree with that.

Rene

 

[80' 427]

I am going to check toe. I am getting a stablizer to replace my leaking one. The springs and bushings are 6 months old and include ord hd shackles.

 

[1-ton]

I want to add the IMO the king pin design used in the D60's is marginal for maintaining control. The springs are easily over powered by the forces put on them even with stock tires.

one or two washers used to increase KP spring rate does work mostly...but something more solid (than springs) in that area is probably a good sized piece of the puzzle.

Ballistic fab makes high steer arms that eliminate the KP springs.

http://www.ballisticfabrication.com/D60-high-steer-kit-for-kingpin-axles_p_1246.html

Rene

I agree. All the Death Wobble problems I have ever had were the king pin springs not being loaded enough.

Is there any kits out there that eliminate the king pin springs without having to go to high steer? My trucks are only used for light weight trail wheeling, and the expense of high steer is not worth it...only crossover is needed to eliminated bump steer from the more flexible lifted springs.

 

[80' 427]

Mine has so many washers I could bearly get the nuts started.

 

[80' 427]

Well while resetting toe on the hoist last night I discovered my previously tight pass side tie rod was very loose. We had to remove it to pull the carrier so it may have happened then (about the same time my death wobble got bad). Still put on a bigger stablizer and set the toe to 1/8".

 

[DIRTY LU]

add another stablizer i put dual skyjackers.. had the same problem when swapped in a 60... that was a few years back... now i have hydro steer without stabilzers.. and NO pan hard that for FORDS... i have two trucks and no wobble any more.