Death rattle or shake

[boerboel313]

Ok !!!!!! In the past few months and only on occasion at medium to low speeds after hitting uneven pavement or braking my truck feels like the front end is going to fall off .
Its had an alignment, balanced, Heavy heavy duty steering damper, lug nuts are tight, front shocks have 5000 miles on them, U bolts seem snug. So WTF,

just drove it 2400 Miles to and from WA to SOCAL and it happened twice on the trip while braking down a very steep off ramp and tonight driving down hill 30mph and with no braking.

Any ideas ?

 

[CenTXFJ60]

Have you retorqued the u-bolts? I know you mention they seemed good so did not want to assume. There’s a lot of weight on the nuts when parked. But with momentum and an unstable situation such as a bump your axle can go into a wobble. I only know this cause it happened to me shortly after my first spring job. A few miles Later I got the death wobble from hell. Could not even steer the truck. It’s worth hitting with the wrench If you've not done so. Good luck and hope you’re able to pin it down.

 

[cedarcruiser]

Doesn't really sound like them but it never hurts to check the bearings.

 

[boerboel313]

The knuckles were repacked just over a month ago.

I'll try the u bolts again this weekend. Thank you

 

[cps432]

Have you checked your brakes and rotors?
I had a wobble in my mustang after a brake job where I didn't get the retaining clip installed properly. The brake pads on one side weren't seating properly so the other three wheels took the brunt of the stopping force. Over time, with the pads failing to grab, they created bad hot spots and it ended up warping my rotor out of spec and was too damaged to turn. It took about two months to wear but the front driver side looked like it was 5 years old.

 

[cps432]

Also, the problem began to manifest as a wobble at lower speeds upon braking. Not so much at higher speeds because I think the force was great enough to overcome the friction. That's definitely what caused the rotors to overheat though. Slower speeds allowed the warpage to affect the movement of the brake pads and essentially the entire vehicle.

 

[SteveH]

Death Wobble is sometimes a camber issue. Be sure you have the right amount - maybe check the sheet from the alignment shop, or have another shop check it, and get them to write down the values.

 

[landcruiserjunky]

How new is your steering stabilizer?

 

[boerboel313]

Have you checked your brakes and rotors?
I had a wobble in my mustang after a brake job where I didn't get the retaining clip installed properly. The brake pads on one side weren't seating properly so the other three wheels took the brunt of the stopping force. Over time, with the pads failing to grab, they created bad hot spots and it ended up warping my rotor out of spec and was too damaged to turn. It took about two months to wear but the front driver side looked like it was 5 years old.

I'll check that out. Rears were redone a few months back with new rotors and pads. Will check fronts.

 

[boerboel313]

How new is your steering stabilizer?

Two months. Its an adjustable tuff dog stabilizer.

 

[boerboel313]

Death Wobble is sometimes a camber issue. Be sure you have the right amount - maybe check the sheet from the alignment shop, or have another shop check it, and get them to write down the values.

Will do. I have 4-6 degree shims installed on front suspension. Been there for years with no issues.

 

[boerboel313]

Also, the problem began to manifest as a wobble at lower speeds upon braking. Not so much at higher speeds because I think the force was great enough to overcome the friction. That's definitely what caused the rotors to overheat though. Slower speeds allowed the warpage to affect the movement of the brake pads and essentially the entire vehicle.

That could totally be it. Aleays at low speed. I'll have that check. I might need new rotors.
Thank you.

 

[rrv333]

Check the tires as well. When my 62 was exhibiting the "death wobble" it turned out to be the tires were out of balance.

 

[morganism]

motor mounts and pinion extension grease on the driveshaft ?

 

[boerboel313]

motor mounts and pinion extension grease on the driveshaft ?

What do you mean by grease on drive safe? That I need to grease the zerk fittings on universal, or that I actually have grease leaking onto the DS?

 

[boerboel313]

Check the tires as well. When my 62 was exhibiting the "death wobble" it turned out to be the tires were out of balance.

We’re resently balances. You should see all the weights on the rims.

 

[boerboel313]

Have you checked your brakes and rotors?
I had a wobble in my mustang after a brake job where I didn't get the retaining clip installed properly. The brake pads on one side weren't seating properly so the other three wheels took the brunt of the stopping force. Over time, with the pads failing to grab, they created bad hot spots and it ended up warping my rotor out of spec and was too damaged to turn. It took about two months to wear but the front driver side looked like it was 5 years old.

Just ordered new Rotors and pads. Will be here tomorrow.

 

[cps432]

What do you mean by grease on drive safe? That I need to grease the zerk fittings on universal, or that I actually have grease leaking onto the DS?

There's a zerk on the yolk where the two pieces meet. That should be part of your maintenance greasing. Do that when you do your U joints and and tie rods. There's one on both drive shafts.

 

[flomud]

Could be the bearings on the top and bottom of your knuckles need re-torqued via shimming . Check the FSM , From what I recall you use a fishing scale , the kind used for weighing fish , disconnect the tie rod end from the spindle so it is free turning then hook the fish scale on the end of your spindle and pull it towards the back of the truck , check the measurement in lbs , not positive but should be 15lbs check fsm for specifics , if out of specs remove or add shim on top of the knuckle under the 4 studded nuts ...

 

[augirthedude]

Check , wheel bearings, knuckle bearings, wheel balance, tie rod ends , Ubolts. Also camber is not adjustable. Caster can be adjusted with wedge shims. If caster is an issue , check the knuckle bearings for excessive clearance.