serious shaking problems

[jamiebarnesjr3]

ok heres the deal 1984 k10 4x4 swb right.  i was driving about a week ago and this this just started shaking all over the place on an off with nothing seeming to change it. i checked all components nothing broke or loose.yesterday i took it out and it did again this time the guy behind me pulled over and said my front tires where movin around an smokin like crazy. so i went home jacked up the front end and and pryed and shooke and hit everything that had to do with thee front tires and nothing any ideas on what this is or have you experienced this before anything would help right now.

[VileZambonie]

Death wobble? Check the lug nuts first. Next do a dry park check of the front end. Check all of your linkage for play. Check for movement in the frame, bushings etc. Jack it up and insert a prybar under the tire. Rock it up and down and check the ball joints.

[choptop]

Also check how much you have to turn the steering wheel before the tires actually start turning. I had a worn out sterring box cause similar problems. What size are the tires? Does it do it in a certain speed range or does it matter? Make sure youre not getting a bubble on any of the tires, but it does sound more like looose components, ball joints, wheel bearings etc

[jamiebarnesjr3]

i just checked for anything loose the only thing i found was the steering box moves on the frame when i turn the wheel an i got a broken grease fittin on the passenger side steering stabilizer

[4x4orbust]

check your frame around your steering box for cracks.   check the bolts that hold the steering box.  i don't think the steering stabilizer would cause this problem. (you are talking about the shock type thing mounted from your axle to your tie rod?)  does sound a lot like death wobble.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x7cEOPYQFTs

[jamiebarnesjr3]

that you tube video is exactly wats happining but its not constant and its worse than that when it happens imma try tightening the steering box tomorrow

[VileZambonie]

If the frame is flexing behind the box remove it and weld up any cracks. Then put a reinforcement plate behind it.

[jamiebarnesjr3]

ok i jacked the front end up and pryed on the tire with a shovel and my lower ball joint moves up and down about 3/4 of a inch on the driver side is this ok or should i replace it

[Captkaos]

That is NOT good!  There shouldn't be any noticeable slack in the joints

[jamiebarnesjr3]

im headin out to get the lower ball joint ill update you all later

[smitty77]

Get that steering box tightened up good and weld a reinforcement plate on there if there isn't already .  These frames are known to fail in that particular area, and you or someone else might get killed if it ever does break free and the repair plate is cheap insurance.  Don't risk it, fix it.  And get those ball joints fixed too - I've seen one let go on a guy pulling into a parking space and couldn't imagine it happening at speed.  Scary!

While you're at it, I'd check the whole front end over very carefully.  Let us know how it goes.
Smitty

[jamiebarnesjr3]

ok i got the ball joints on finally but ran into another snag when i try to tighten the lower ball joint nut the whole thing spins instead of tightning up is there a trick to this. i bought the moog hd problem solver ball joints they should handle these big 35/12.50/15 tires i know they are why they went bad

[VileZambonie]

Yes push the ball joint and knuckle together to press the ball stud in tighter using a jack. Then tighten the nut.

[jamiebarnesjr3]

well i finally did the ball joints seems to have fixed the problem but it ruined my tire i have like a hump in the top tread part of the tire so i picked up a set of 31/10.5/15 kinda wierd looking when your used to the big 35/12.5/15 i was wondering though will this help my 8 mpg problem at all and if so how much. also im yet to get the tires on becaouse the new rims lugnutz are differant. so i need to know what to use my wheels have the mag wheel type with the shaft on the end but these new rims have hole about 2 inches deep that the lugnuts go into but when i put the nut in the hole i cant fit the four way in there to tighten them any ideas on wat style nutz i need auto parts store offered no help at all

[4x4orbust]

i know that the auto parts stores have different length wheel nuts.   i just bought some for my truck that are 1 7/8" long,  and they had some that were longer than that.   

the different size tires might help your MPG,   do you know what gear ratio you have in the axles?   if it is stock ratios then yes it will help,  your engine won't be working as hard to turn the tires,  and should result in greater MPG's.