Running the LC on axle stands

[snowwolf]

I still have a very bad death wobble, some days it's worse than others.

I want to put the car on axle stands and slowly run the car in drive, see if I can see any problems when breaking with it on stands.

Has anyone else done this before?

 

[e9999]

I still have a very bad death wobble, some days it's worse than others.

I want to put the car on axle stands and slowly run the car in drive, see if I can see any problems when breaking with it on stands.

Has anyone else done this before?

yes, there were some, but sadly, they are no longer with us...






















seriously, be careful. I wouldn't do that myself. But if you do, big big stands eh... Or better, on big blocks like railroad ties or something. Don't do that with something expensive in front of the truck either...

 

[Squash]

Works well, keep others away from the area just in case.
If possible leave some clearance from other vehicles garage doors or roadways.

Bring the vehicle to a complete stop before getting out to check your changes.
Use a power bar to check front end play.

Good luck

 

[80t0ylc]

Some good cautions mentioned, but before you start up engine, after you've put it securely on the heavy duty steel jackstands. Grab vehicle (or have buff friend help) and try to shake vigorously. If you have any instability or movement of jackstands, fix before starting rig.

 

[Enigma]

Just don't kick it, ala "Ferris Bueller".

 

[snowwolf]

mmmm all sounds a bit dodgy, but I will try it, think I will secure front and back between two trees with slings and lifting gear

 

[80t0ylc]

mmmm all sounds a bit dodgy, but I will try it, think I will secure front and back between two trees with slings and lifting gear

I don't know if all that's necessary, - it can't hurt though. I just re-read your first post and if the death wobble you're describing is brake related, I'm not sure that you'll feel or see it on jackstands. Sounds like you have warped rotor(s). Have you got rear disks also?

 

[turbocruiser]

I'll add something that's super important, I mean really really really super important. Along with all the other things mentioned (doing this with super stout stands and making more than sure that you have clearance all around the rig) do not, I repeat do not, hit the brakes too hard to stop the rig's tires from spinning. If you do this the transfer forward will literally lurch the rig off of the stands and you will come crashing down. In general you should not spin the tires too fast but if you indeed must incrementally speed them to see where the wobble is and they get going really rapidly, once you have found where the wobble is, just ease off the accelerator, and ease on the brakes slowly but surely until they ultimately stop. Hope this helps.

Ohh, the rope between the two trees will help add some safety here but basically still avoid the abrupt stoppage of spinning tires.

 

[IdahoDoug]

I've done it several times and to the cautions I'd add another. Have someone in the driver's seat in case the worst happens. This will save you all manner of time and work to strap, etc and is more foolproof than any restraints. You should also take the wheels off since you'll want to eyeball the spinning rotors, and having it in low range locks the center diff so you'll have all four spinning. Having F/R lockers and engaging them also makes sure they're all spinning at the same RPM. Do it with the tires on also and you can see if you have a rim issue or a tire issue (more common than you'd think).

DougM

 

[alia176]

I am unsure if the death wobbles will resurface given that the wheels are not under a load.

 

[IdahoDoug]

Agree, but there's a higher probability the death wobble is from a rotating part out of balance than there is the torque alone.

 

[azrider]

One thing to add, with the front wheels off, the ABS will do funny things. Lurching and grabbing but not allowing it to stop fully when applying the brakes. I know locking in will disable the ABS. I found this out when I was trying to trouble shoot shuddering brakes(turned out to be wheel bearing gone bad and the shuddering stopped after replacing)