- Thread starter
- #121
Side note: I didn't realize these tires are actually made in Japan. Obviously Yokohama is a Japanese brand but they have plants in VA and MI too. Don't think that necessarily changes anything but I thought it was interesting.
1997 with Death Wobble? ...help appreciated (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter Wrencher93
- Start date
This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.
Actually, this might not be correct.
Tyres that are in regular use get hot and stay pliable.
I had a project car that sat for a few years on quite new BFG All Terrains. They went rock hard through lack of use.
First drive was interesting on tyres that squealed and squeaked at every turn
I've been following your posts, because I've been fighting a bad death wobble on my 97 80 with a 6" lift and 37's. Last weekend I did a brake overhaul... replaced master cylinder, calipers, rotors, and pads. Miraculously, the death wobble is now gone! Doesn't make sense to me... but I'll take it.
Just wanted to pass it along. Good luck!
Just wanted to pass it along. Good luck!
- Thread starter
- #125
Yeah my brake system is all new so for me that wasn't it. I could see it being and issue though.
Edit: I did, however, have a pull when braking before I replaced everything. That went away with new OEM parts. I think one of my calipers might have been sticking. Don't know what the specific cause was, don't care. But yeah, new brakes are awesome for having peace of mind and being able to diagnose other issues.
Last edited:
- Thread starter
- #126
I was comparing tires getting baked in sunlight vs tires in a shaded/non-extreme environment. But yes, I can imagine they go bad just sitting as well.
- Thread starter
- #127
Got the new meats mounted today. I've only driven the 80 a few miles home so not enough to have a solid impression yet. And I went from old crappy tires to brand new ones, so it isn't really fair to compare noise level, etc. Anyhoo, here's some pics. I think they paired pretty well with the F5's.
- Thread starter
- #128
Got the Escape Gear tire cover mounted this evening. Yes, I know it's not perfectly level but that was my second attempt with the same result. Not that worried about it. Really pleased with the cover. Quality seems to be great and fit was excellent.
Did tires eliminate your death wobbles?
- Thread starter
- #130
The panhard bushings eliminated the death wobble but I could tell the truck was still having issues. I would get periodic vibrations in the steering where the old tires were irregular and breaking down. New rubber seems to have cured that entirely. I did hit a weird patch in the pavement with the new tires the other day and it gave me some very brief feedback in the steering wheel but I think that was more a factor of mud terrain tires and the lugs catching something funny on the road surface.
- Thread starter
- #132
Ordered a new OME one. Haven't put it on yet. I think the comments earlier in the thread about the damper not being critical are true. Still gonna put the new one on, but it definitely wasn't the main problem. Lesson learned.Good news
How is your steering dampener? Perhaps involved with brief oddity?
I'm currently experiencing this and it's heartbreaking because I had to park my daily driven 80 a few weeks back in favor of my parent's 04 Armada s***box. Even without AC I'd take my 80 over that thing any day. Mine wobbles so bad that the L/H range selector wobbles back and forth violently along with the steering wheel and front tires. I'm going home after work and starting by checking if any wheel weights have come off as well as rotating tires. After that if it persists I'll be taking it to my buddy who just opened a TLC/Toyota related specialty shop locally. On a side note, I'll soon be able to have something else to drive as well because a friend just gave me a 00 LX470 free that seems to need front axles and hub flanges.
- Thread starter
- #134
Hope you get yours fixed. Mine was definitely the old tires combined with tired bushings. The bushings aren't hard to replace if you have a press. If not, I'm sure your buddy would let you use his if you remove the panhard and take it to him.
Mine ended up being track bar bushings. They were shot. Buddy swapped a stock bar on for now until he can either find correct sized bushings for the adjustable bar we pulled off or me buy a complete new adjustable bar.
- Thread starter
- #136
Yeah I saw a marked improvement after putting new panhard bushings in.
- Thread starter
- #137
I forgot to update this. I put the new OME steering stab on. Same as my old one, just a little less tired. This has helped with some of those minor on-road steering deviations but it's easy to see why people had told me it wasn't the root problem. After having gone through this, I now concur. But, new parts are always nice because assuming you install them correctly they eliminate one more thing that could be a problem. So far, the new panhard bushings and new tires have really improved drivability. I still have some suspension gremlins to work out but taking turns and going over uneven patches in the road at speed has vastly improved compared to the old, dangerous tires and busted bushings I was on. Overall, I'm pleased and encouraged.
iptman
SILVER Star
I'd be more concerned about whatever is causing that puddle of oil on your driveway. 
Mostly kidding but I do hate standing oil leaks on my trucks.
Mostly kidding but I do hate standing oil leaks on my trucks.
- Thread starter
- #139
That puddle of oil is a puddle of condensate. Truck had just been driven.I'd be more concerned about whatever is causing that puddle of oil on your driveway.
