Hi Folks,
I have a 2001 Dodge 3500, diesel. Sometimes, when the truck hits a pothole, the front wheels start to shimmy violently. The only way to stop the shimmy, is to slow down to less than 10 MPH. Then the truck drives down the road good. I have had the front end checked twice for worn out or bad parts, but everything looks good. Any ideas
Thanks,
TK in Tn
kingtl@bellsouth.net

 

Do you feel like you're going to veer off the road and die? Still have control of steering?

Get under the truck and check for loose things. I would especially check the track bar and shock bolts to start with.

What's the status of your front end? Old , New, rusty, greasable ball joints u joints tie rod ends? Shocks old?

Ohhhhh and check your lug nuts make Sure they're nice and tight

 

Had the front end checked by who? Maybe get a second opinion (or third).

 

Sounds like a classic case of death wobble.

 

Heh. It's got death wobble, so it's absolutely impossible that all of the front end/steering parts are good. Given how old these trucks are and that this problem can exist in any coil sprung solid front axle four wheel drive vehicle, any shop who'd say it's all good under there is one to be avoided.

The problem can exist anywhere between the front wheels and the bushing at the midpoint of the steering column just shy of where it passes from the engine compartment through the firewall. Any slop anywhere can allow this to happen, and the fix is to get rid of the slop so it can't happen any more.