i didnt know if i should ask this here or in the diesel part of the forum. i have a 97 2500 4x4 long bed extended cab that has the diesel in it. when i drive it and hit 35 to 45 mph the front end vibrates violently, if i look at the front tires there turning side to side and the steering wheel is also jerking from left to right and back again. the only way i can get it to stop it to hit the brakes and come almost to a stop. now i know what your thinking your going to say it's the track bar. well the thing is i have had the problem 3 times now. . . i believe it's been 3. and every time the track bar fixed it. well i replaced it and it didnt help this time! any ideas on what to do next?

 

and yes i did search before i posted!

 

Do a search for "Death Wobble", it's a common problem and well documented...

 

my problem is everyone who talks about the death wobble it seems a phantom. most of the time it doesn't happen. with my truck it happens I would say 95 percent of the time so is it really a death wobble?

 

Sounds like the "Shake of Death" check you track bar it may have one of the ends worn out if it moves and all like it's loose it needs replaced.

 

It is death wobble, as was said above. Its a common problem in a 5-link front setup as is in our ram's. It comes from something being loose or worn in the front suspension and/or steering. Check everything up front. Your track bar bolts need to be very tight and have no play in the ball joint at the frame end.

Check all your TREs for play, check your ball joints for play, check your Control arm bushings for play. If anything has excessive play in it, replace it.

Like I said, something is either loose (bolts aren't tight) or worn (creating excessive movement).

Side thought, I'm not sure on the 60 front ends the 2500's have whether there is a non-serviceable one piece hub like there is on my 01 1500. Check your hubs for play too. That could cause a shake if they are very sloppy too.

 

sounds like the DW to me as well... replace anything that is loose up front and when you get an alignment, tell the tech to put in as much caster as he can and still have it drive straight. tell him to FORGET the spec... changing the caster will ensure you dont have the dw again...

 

Change your steering dampener!
Get a heavy duty one if you can.
Get your tire balance checked too.
Be careful with the caster. too much can give you bad pinion angles and you will have bad vibrations in 4wd or tear out the u-joints.
Pinion angle is more important the caster (especially if you have a lift) usually you have to compromise.

 

the upper caster spec is 4.8~5.0... we're talking about 5.2~5.4 as being the max that a tech will be able to get into it. that will be more than enough to cure the DW problem.