TLC shakes!

[rustycruiser88]

This is help for the obvious non mechanic.

My wife says that sometimes when she is driving (it's her car) and one tire goes over a bump the whole car starts to shake (on the freeway). It seems like it is coming from the axle or steering column. Then she slows down to about 40 and then it stops and she keeps driving. Any reason this might be happening? what should I check out?
Thanks

 

[zipnman]

Start with your springs, make sure everything is tight. Check out your tie rods and relay rod . Sounds like something is loose. I would go through the entire front end

 

[brett76]

x2 plus while your under check your drive shafts for play at both ends and the ujoints

 

[Cruiserdrew]

It's death wobble. Do a search. First step is to tighten up the drag link ends.

 

[VETTE60]

I had the same problem, it was cured when I re-did my front wheel bearings, trunion bearings, and home alignment, etc... Basicly a full front knucle rebuild. nice and tight now.

 

[rustycruiser88]

Alright..... I check it out. Thanks for the help

 

[rustycruiser88]

I gave it a quick look over and did not see anything noticeable that was loose or anything wrong with the tires. Will a tire mechanic be able to find the problem?

Is the death wobble actually deadly? I want to know since my wife usually drives it! (and no, I don't want her to die

 

[VETTE60]

you definitely need to fix it. I am almost sure that a knuckle rebuild will do it for you. Especially if you have a lot of miles on the rig and it has never been done. When those trunion bearings get worn and loose, or the caps on the knuckle get loose, this can give you the death wobble. also, a home alignment is easy to do. all you need is .25" of toe in on the front. do a search and there are some good threads.

 

[rustycruiser88]

So I took it to the mechanic and they changed the Steering Stabliizer. It seems to be cured as of now. But it doesn't turn all the way to the left now! Why would it do this?

 

[cfdlighthouse]

check to see if the stabilizer is limiting the stearing travel. turn wheel to the left all the way and see what the stabilizer looks like, then disconnect it and see if you can turn the wheel the rest of the way

 

[60wag]

The stabilizer can mask the real problem. The Cruiser should be fine with the stabilizer removed. Is your truck stock or lifted? I'd find a local mechanic who is knowledgable of Cruiser suspensions and let him find the rear problem - likely something loose or worn.

 

[VETTE60]

60wag is right. you should be able to roll without the stabilizer if all is correct. you definitely need to find the real problem.