Death Wobble part 2
Camel Trophy
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 4,245
Likes: 402
From: Traverse City MI
Funny you should ask. Main duty is on pavement, work, chores, military requirements and vacations. Heard many complaints of stiff suspension with aftermarket. Highway ride is Caddy smooth, off road is not bad, little soft.
Baja
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 5,232
Likes: 52
From: Georgia, USA
I was kidding about the OE shocks, I'm sure a lot of people use them. Or at least shocks with pretty much OE specs.
Winching
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 676
Likes: 43
Panhard rod bushings. The panhard rod locates the front axle laterally and if the bushings are shot, it will wobble at speed. The radius arm bushings locate the axle longitudinally, so they are less likely to be the cause of side-to-side wobble, but if they're worn enough there can be enough play there to cause it.
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Rock Crawling
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 473
Likes: 3
From: Aiken S.C.
Listen this is going to dredge up all the death wobble trolls so let me be the first troll to chime in.
Death wobble comes from one thing - slop somewhere in the front end. I call BS on the whole swivel ball preload thing. Unless there is slop at the swivel pins, no wobble. So solving the issue comes down to finding where your slop is.
I replaced a LOT of things in my front end trying to rectify this situation. Did the preload thing with the fish scale three times and it didn't make a damn bit of difference. Replaced everything around the swivel ball and also had no effect.
So, what did I do? I replaced all the bushings front and back and it WENT AWAY. Specifically, the stack of rear bushings on the front radius arms were shrunken and hard. When I got underneath with a spud (something I suggest you do ASAP) and started prying around on stuff I could move the front around close to half an inch in any direction.
Now, everybody is going to jump on me because they say it says in the RAVE that it is due to the preload. It really doesn't. It mentions NINE other things to check, before a casual mention of "check the resistance and condition of the swivels".
Take a look yourself, page 5 of the Steering section in RAVE, see attachment. Or waste your time with the fish scale barking up the wrong tree. Up to you.
Go right ahead and ban me Disco Mike for disagreeing with you. You have threatened it several times before - now's your opportunity to follow through.
Death wobble comes from one thing - slop somewhere in the front end. I call BS on the whole swivel ball preload thing. Unless there is slop at the swivel pins, no wobble. So solving the issue comes down to finding where your slop is.
I replaced a LOT of things in my front end trying to rectify this situation. Did the preload thing with the fish scale three times and it didn't make a damn bit of difference. Replaced everything around the swivel ball and also had no effect.
So, what did I do? I replaced all the bushings front and back and it WENT AWAY. Specifically, the stack of rear bushings on the front radius arms were shrunken and hard. When I got underneath with a spud (something I suggest you do ASAP) and started prying around on stuff I could move the front around close to half an inch in any direction.
Now, everybody is going to jump on me because they say it says in the RAVE that it is due to the preload. It really doesn't. It mentions NINE other things to check, before a casual mention of "check the resistance and condition of the swivels".
Take a look yourself, page 5 of the Steering section in RAVE, see attachment. Or waste your time with the fish scale barking up the wrong tree. Up to you.
Go right ahead and ban me Disco Mike for disagreeing with you. You have threatened it several times before - now's your opportunity to follow through.
Pro Wrench
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,512
Likes: 172
From: Central Minnesota
I checked everything and the only thing I found was that I was able to move the wheel in and out at 12:00 and at 9:00 position. I replaced the pivot bearings, and *****(and seals) as the surface of the swivel ***** were rusted and pitted badly causing the lubricant to leak out, and wearing out the pivot bearings. (also not too good for the CV joints) I couldn't get any play in any of the other points using a pry bar. Wobble went away after new bearings.
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