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73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => Brakes, Frame, Steering & Suspension => Topic started by: Jon87V20 on January 15, 2018, 08:28:33 PM
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Hi, Fellas:
1987 Chevy Suburban V20 350/TH400/NP205
Had kind of a scare today. All of the sudden my front passenger wheel started violently wobbling and shaking under moderate to heavy braking. The only way to get it to stop seems to be moving the steering wheel back and forth quickly and letting up off the brakes. I haven't had a chance to get in there and look at it yet. I did take that tire in for repair a few weeks ago but I can't think of why that would matter. The wheel didn't feel or sound loose during the shaking but I guess I shouldn't rule it out.
Also the steering in this truck is very sloppy. It has about an inch, maybe slightly more of play in the steering wheel. Could this be from too much slop in the steering letting the wheels wiggle? I just replaced the rotors on this about a year or two ago but haven't changed anything else yet.
Is this what is referred to as the "Death Wobble"? Should I assume it's not safe to drive this way?
Thanks!
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generally, Death wobble is caused by bad caster angle on lifted vehicles. if its not lifted your TREs (tie rod ends) could be worn out.
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Agreed, not death wobble. Check your lug nuts, wheel bearings and front end thoroughly before driving again.
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Steering stabilizer?
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Steering stabilizer?
Steering stabilizer has nothing to do with wobbles-the only thing it does is soften bumps, and mask the real problem.
With over an inch of play at the wheel, I would be looking at all front end parts, this includes ball joints and wheel bearing. The brake caliper should be OFF when checking wheel bearings.
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ive had lifted trucks and non lifted trucks the only trucks ive seen the death wobble in is the k30 with the dana 60 without a lift. and in those two trucks it was the springs in the kingpin.
that being said you dont have a kingpin so i would check where vile has suggested
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I looked around under the front of the truck today. Both wheel bearings felt okay with no play. When I push on one wheel the other side moves right along with it with no play. Everything felt super tight but I was curious about the drag link and wanted to know what you guys think about it. It looks pretty trashed but it's also really dirty. I took a few short videos of the drag link. One of which I had my five year old crank the wheel back and forth. Does this look normal? Could this be the cause? Also I noticed all the play in the steering wheel seems to be happening in the steering box. I had him move it around in the slack zone and the only thing moving was the steering wheel shaft.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/av94s85az8atmyq/87V20_Drag%20Link01.mp4?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/mbpxp5eqchsqmdm/87V20_Drag%20Link02.MOV?dl=0
Thanks!
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To do a dry park check of the front end, you need to rock the wheel back and forth. Turning left and right will not give you the visual you need for seeing the worn components. Like 10:00-2:00ish
Check the rag joint, check the steering box to frame, check the frame connector and rivets, jack up and support the front axle, using a pry bar under the tire check the ball joints. Twisting the drag link is only pivoting it on the ball stud and indicates nothing abnormal.
How about that exhaust leak?
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Vile, I had him rock the wheel back and forth and it looked like all the play was just in the steering gear box. The frame looks good. I'll check the rag joint today as well. When I'm looking at the ball joints, how do I tell if they're bad? How much should they be able to move with the pry bar?
I'm attacking that exhaust leak today ;D
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The rag joint is completely trashed. Can that cause the problem on it’s on?
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It can cause the steering to wander really bad and feel loose.
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Replaced the rag joint and adjusted the steering gear box and it made a huge difference. I'll have to re-learn how to drive it now. It's weird having it steer when I move the wheel. We'll see if the wobble goes away now.
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how did you adjust the steering box?
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Irish, I just tightened what I've read is called the adjuster screw on the gearbox. I'm not sure if it made much difference or not. I don't know if it was the rag joint or the "adjustment" but I noticed my steering wheel is a bit off now so I might just turn the screw back. Maybe that wasn't adjusting what I thought it was?
So after driving it to work the other day, it still tried to wobble a bit under moderate to heavy braking. I'm thinking this is probably a brake issue. I should mention, sometimes when the truck has been sitting for a few weeks, when I go to drive it, the first few low speed stops, it tries to lock up a bit even though I'm barely pressing them. Does this point to anything I should be checking in particular? I can't really afford to throw a bunch of money at it until it's fixed.
I did replace the front rotors and calipers about two years ago. I've never touched the rear brakes and the master cylinder hasn't been replaced since I've had it. There's no leaks as far as I can tell. It seems to wobble on the front right and pull left under heavy braking.
Any advice helps.
Thanks, guys.