87 v3500 death wobble

[snibook7537]

I have an 87 v3500 in stock form ( no lift, suspension upgrades/changes). I have been experiencing a lot of death wobble lately it occured once when I first got the truck and has been increasingly occurring. This happens at any speed if I hit potholes or bumps.  I have done a dry turn and had a friend look and he said nothing looked abnormal, I did not have him look at the steering box (forgot) but When I got it there were no cracks that you could see and I have seen one with cracks. This wobble will only stop if I slow almost to a stop, it is only left to right not up and down or back and forth. I have read on this forum that it could be ball joints on a 4x4 but I thought a Dana 60 had kingpins and I am not sure how to check them.  The truck does have a Meyers plow on it but it did do it before the plow was on the plow frame so I don't *think* that would have to do anything with it. I did notice that it seemed like it did it a lot worse one day after smashing the plow into a pile of snow but it did happen before that.  On a side note I have been experiencing a sort of clunking noise when in second gear and only in second (might have happened once in third but never in fourth) I am hoping it is the transmission as it already needs a rebuild ( falls out of 3rd). I don't think this would have anything to do with the wobble but it is abnormal and I figure you never know. Also should say that it wobbles and makes the clunking noise when hubs are unlocked and when locked in 2wheel and 4 wheel high. I haven't been in 4 lo except twice so don't know about that.   

[Irish_Alley]

Have you checked the wheel bearings yet. Jack up a corner and wiggle each tire

[VileZambonie]

Redo the dry park check while YOU check out the front end and the frame etc for movement. After that check your ball joints and wheel bearings. Tire balance, steering stabilier can cause it too.

[snibook7537]

So now my friend turned the wheel and I checked the front end and I found that the pitman arm seems to have a bit of play in it. Unfortunately I don't know if this is enough to cause the wobble. How much play is too much and could that be responsible for the wobble.  I think this is likely the issue as the frame near the steering box and the steering box itself is stationary the entire time(not broken/cracked). 

[1979C20]

My truck has quite a bit of play in the steering wheel. I can turn it about 4/5inch before it turns the tires. Driving above 35 mph I get a bit of death wobble. I haven't adjusted the play in the steering box yet, and I know that is the problem. So, adjust your gears or replace your box. I'm not sure how to adjust it on newer vehicles, but maybe someone else on here can help.

[Grim 82]

Replace any obviously worn parts before you mess with your steering box.

[87454westernhauler]

my dad has an 87 r30 1ton dually that sounds kind of like what yours is doing. have you replaced the bushings in the front suspension ever? how good are yours tires alighned?

[thirsty]

I bought a truck once that came with the death wobble. It turned out to be a bad tie-rod end and a worn stabilizer shock.

[ehjorten]

Upper King-pin bushings are a good place to start on the Dana60.  They are inexpensive and easy to replace.  Jack it up, put a jack under the knuckle to keep upward pressure on it, 4 bolts to unbolt the top cover and pull out the spring and bushing.  Replace with new spring and bushing and put back together with a new gasket.  Have lots of grease on hand to re-grease.

[snibook7537]

I found the problem, it is a tie rod end that attaches to the pitman arm. I think I am going to get a dampener just cause too.  The tires and bearings and the gearbox are all good.  Thanks for the help guys

[rwhit57]

Death wobble is caused by toe-out, obviously it can be worn parts especially tie rod ends. It occurs when one wheel toes out then tries to correct itself forcing the other tire in and out, etc. Once you replace the worn parts an alignment is a must. Sounds like you found the cause, good luck.

[KY..Rob]

Nasty Wobble!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x7cEOPYQFTs&feature=related

[VileZambonie]

Death wobble is caused by toe-out

Who told you that?!

[rwhit57]

Death wobble is caused by toe-out

Who told you that?!

Please continue.

[snibook7537]

don't mean to bring this from the dead but I actually replaced the steering dampener and what a heck of a difference that made.  The tie rod was worn out but I could have probably just put that dampener and it would have gotten rid of the death wobble.  Not saying I would do it as the tie rod was worn out but if you think that it might be a problem take it off and look.  Mine you could EASILY push in and I put it on the bench in my garage and it never released.