Yep, here we go again.... DW!!!

[rokcrawlin85]

Yes so i've got the DW syndrome as is all too common with us, had it for years now, even on dirt roads!!!... Has anyone ever had a cause being the fact the frames are wet noodles?... allowing the front end to shake back and forth enough to cause the front spring hangers to move shifting the axle back and forth.... I'm just throwing out an idea as I like everyone else has, have been through every other component in the front end. Rig is a 85 K5 with crossover on a 10 bolt with a reverse tierod , 52" springs, and narrowed front end. Just seems to me the frame is all over the place. currently im building an engine cage that ties into my roll cage and frame in hopes it helps cure it..... what have you all experienced with this?

In its current state:

Just a frame flex shot for viewing pleasure:

 

[85 Jimmy]

I had death wobble with 52's up front. I added hydraulic assist and it covers it up so I no longer have DW. Since then I removed the 52's and just put my old lift springs back in. I don't know if I'd have it now if I took off the hydraulic assist or not.

 

[nvrenuf]

I would think if the frame were to blame this would have been an issue with the trucks when new.

Seems like the answer/fix is always related to caster angle or a worn part somewhere.

 

[rokcrawlin85]

I would think if the frame were to blame this would have been an issue with the trucks when new.

Seems like the answer/fix is always related to caster angle or a worn part somewhere.

This is an excellent point! I noticed my front and engine cross member rivets loosened up making the flex exaggerated.

How about bump steer for people with crossover. Non existent over say a single 4-6" roc or do your tires seem to slightly steer one way or another over them? If I drive over a single rock in the yard only a couple inches high I can watch the tire push or pull over it. Common for everyone? Or is it becoming more and more obvious I have something seriously wrong in the front end somewhere?

 

[sweetk30]

working on a truck now with 10+ year old tsl 44" tires on 14" wide rims. has a dana 60 front .

I did master king pin reman both sides . old stuff was shot .

also did crane off road spring eliminator kit .

then did C&M ampco bushing upgrade .

truck has crossover and twin steering stabilizer kit that's it .

drives super in town and highway otherthan bias ply wobble .

http://coloradok5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=307918&highlight=king+pin

I know you don't have a 60 front but just shows it can be stoped . and I have been told ditch the shims under the tall springs in the front and get bigger u-joints for extra flex on the front shaft to fix it . this will keep the caster in spec a lot better.

 

[rokcrawlin85]

If I remove those shims my caster is put all the way up to 12-13° positive caster. Way way too much and made a slow speed wobble more prevelent. I put in those 6° shims and it made it better, but something still feels sloppy on the front. Thus why I wanted to stiffen it up with the cage tie ins. I'm just clawing at anything to get it driveable without white knuckles on the wheel.

 

[K85 Octane]

did you box the frame?

how is the steering box portion of the frame? And I don't see a brace either.

 

[rokcrawlin85]

did you box the frame?

how is the steering box portion of the frame? And I don't see a brace either.

Just the front section back to the front cross member is boxed. So the cross member is welded to the frame and the boxed plates. Behind the box is not boxed. The frame has the ORD weld on repair plates. I do not have a brace from the box to the cross member. But I will have tube tied to the frame close to the box area when that part is done.

 

[jt512]

You're running 52's, what is your shackle hanger and shackle length ? I ask because I have been dealing with similar issues on my K30 with 52's and 6" shackles, I have a 60 with rebuilt kingpins, good caster numbers and hydro assist but would still have DW problems here and there on certain roads. I went through all the spring bushings and shackle hanger bushings and have come to the conclusion that with 6" shackles and 52's there is just going to be lateral movement.
The 2 options I'm considering now is a panhard bar or ditching the 52's and dropping the coin on some custom $$$ front springs.

 

[cybrfire]

I had death wobble on my crew cab when first put together.

Everything was new and rebuilt. 6" lift and stiff, stock length springs in the front. Caster angle is perfect. Only correction I could come up with outside hydraulic assist was a shim washer on top of the kingpin spring.

Recently I hit a pretty good pothole at an odd angle and it started to wobble but subsided.

 

[rokcrawlin85]

You're running 52's, what is your shackle hanger and shackle length ? I ask because I have been dealing with similar issues on my K30 with 52's and 6" shackles, I have a 60 with rebuilt kingpins, good caster numbers and hydro assist but would still have DW problems here and there on certain roads. I went through all the spring bushings and shackle hanger bushings and have come to the conclusion that with 6" shackles and 52's there is just going to be lateral movement.
The 2 options I'm considering now is a panhard bar or ditching the 52's and dropping the coin on some custom $$$ front springs.

My shackles are 6" eye to eye. I haven't physically watched them to see about side to side movement. I'm using heavy walled DOM tubing sleeves and bushings from Barnes. The shackle hangers I made myself out of 1/4" plate and 1/4" walled bushing housing. I really don't want to ditch the 52's. I want the flex and better ride. There's plenty of guys out there that have been able to drive theirs without issue. I've thought about the tracbar just still haven't been convinced that will be the right way to go.