finally got the death wobble

[05typeRSX]

Help, my '85 Blazer has contracted the death wobble. I have replaced the ball joints, tie rods, and stablizer but that was about twenty thousand miles ago. I wouldn't think that the front end would wear out that fast but I do have bigger tires( 34" x 10.50") and my scrub radius could be a lot better. Could this just be a case of shot tires ( approximately 15K on the LTBs)? I guess what I really want to know is where I need to look first for the problem as I have never had this happen before.
As always thank you in advance for all your help.

 

[George_Pimpdaddy]

More info will be needed like what front axle you are running and any other changes you have made to the truck.

 

[obijuan]

its likely gonna be a ten bolt or dana 44. check your tires for any type of irregular wear, the tires can tell you whats worn out.

also since you have ltbs, see if you can have them balanced again, and alos have them shaved and trued up.

 

[05typeRSX]

Front axle is the factory 10 bolt complete with 28 spline axles. I re-geared it with a TrueTrac if that makes a difference. It does not seem to matter if the hubs are locked in or free the thing still wobbles. Should I use a dual stabilizer with that size of tire? The wheels came from a guy who had them on a Toyota with 44s" so I know the backspacing is not ideal for the scrub radius. As a result the inside edge of the tires are worn more than the outside edge. I have tried to re-balance the tires but it always goes to hell as soon as I get into even a little mud. If that is the best recommendation I will balance the tires again as I have now recently moved off of the dirt road.

 

[Teck]

The house that come on mine was machined just enough were one of the ball joints seat that would let them wore out premature. Ended up putting a new housing in mine to fix the problem. Been years ago when I had to do this, I think it was on the driver side. Good friend owned a 4wheel drive shop, it took about 3 or 4 set of ball joints before we figured out that the houseing was the problem. Wouldn't keep the ball joint seated right so it would loosen and wear out.

 

[Blazin'4x4]

A stabilizer will only mask your actual problem

 

[NV_K5]

I agree about the stabilizer - leave it off until you're wobble free. Check if the ball joints are worn first, second would be to make certain the ball joint retaining nut(s) are torqued to spec.

 

[broncoman6524]

Have some one move the steering wheel side to side, while you look at the drag link. Does either end "pop up" or wiggle?

No? Jack up a tire, move it side to side, up and down. (that would be like literally moving the tire around)

Any movement?

I'm willing to bet, worn hub bearings, or worn draglink parts.

You can tighten the hub bearings if they're loose and be good for a little bit!

 

[05typeRSX]

So you are saying to remove the stabilizer. I agree that it only masks the underlying problem but taking it off will only make the truck all but impossible to drive. I will check the ball joints for any play and make sure the steering linkage is not bent with a strait edge but all of these parts have been replaced since I have owned the truck. I suppose it is about time to pack the wheel bearings again so I will do that while I have it up in the air. I will repost if I find the problem. What is the average life expectancy for a Rancho stabilizer with big tires?

 

[down4thakrown]

if everything mentioned above checks out ok. i would check bushings in the springs and frame bushings for the front springs. i had the death wobble and put new bushings in the frame where the front spring shackles hang from and fixed it. also check tie rod joints and draglink joints. what size lift you runing if you are runing one?