I can certainly understand your being hesitant. The oldest of three Dodge 2500s with Diesel in my company's fleet had DW for several years. After replacing tie rods, steering stabilizers, ball joints, etc. it never seemed to go away completely.
I'm just re-reading this thread in Feb 2013 because i'm working on the same truck again (electrical issue). I just spoke with the driver who uses the 96 Ram the most and he says the DW problem has been gone for a couple of years, but he didn't know what the cure was.

Based on reading the first 7 pages of this thread I've concluded that the most likely culprit in this is Dodge, but in terms of fixing the problem it seems logical that it's an alignment issue. The suggestion to adjust caster to 5.2~5.3 + seems like the best solution. Obviously, if other front end parts are worn, they should be replaced. When I drove the 96 Ram yesterday it didn't exhibit any DW symptoms, just a bouncing typical of worn out shocks.

Unfortunately many posters base their conclusions on partial information. Though they are desirous of helping if they don't address the root of the problem they are only "masking the symptoms without curing the disease."

Then there's the problem of taking offense when another poster suggests something different from the OP. Name calling, dismissive replies, etc. make me eliminate from consideration anything else in those posts.

This DW thread has been around for so long that it's hard to believe that Chrysler Corporation hasn't done anything about it. I would be curious to know just what percentage of RAM owners have had the problem.

coopab

 

Dodge has made changes to get rid of the DW... they started by getting rid of the TRE style end on the frame side of the tracbar. That helped but didnt solve it. Then in 2008 they changed the steering linkage, that helped even further. Then they pushed the caster out to beyond the 5.25 mark and I think it's something like 5.25-5.5 now. Only problem with that is it puts more stress on the front driveshaft ujoint. That seems to have helped pretty much get rid of it.

I personally have had several steering setups on 2 trucks... the 2000 ram I had originally had the DW when I 1st bought it, got the alignment done with the caster out there at 5.25 and never had it again. Had 34" tires on it too... The current 2005 truck I've had the stock steering setup, thurenfab setup and the 2008 setup. Nothing compares to the thuren setup, it was by far the best. With the 2008 setup I had a DW event when I did not have the steering stabilizer on. With the thuren setup I never really needed it as steering was rock solid. After installing the steering stablizer the DW went away. During that time period I did find out that the control arm bushings being worn will help contribute to the DW problem. Basically to get rid of it with 100% certainty one should replace the steering linkage, control arm bushings, stabilizer and get the alignement done with the updated settings. Ball joints shouldnt contribute to the DW since they are out at the wheel end of the axle and are just along for the ride.

and to take it a step further, Dodge also released a larger steering box on the newer trucks that is being used on the older ones.

 

on older trucks 08.5+ steering helps too...ditch the y-steering for T-steering. direct bolt on for all trucks 2000 and newer. 99 and older can go to the 99HD steering. (axle is not as wide on the 99 and older trucks)

 

I just replaced everything (drag link, track bar, inner and outer tie end rods, sway bar, both adjusting sleeves). I also installed a steering gear box stabilize. When I took it to the shop for an alignment, I discovered the death wobble. My only thought is that there is too much play in the steering box, that its time for a replacement...unless there are any other suggested routes I take.

 

caster @ => 5.25 & control arm bushings...

 

i had all of the above done on warranty, i put in new shocks, the problem showed up last year and was repaired shortly after, have not had any trouble since.

 

I adjusted the caster and had the alignment done, and sure enough the death wobble is back. I noticed that there is a lot of play in the steering wheel, so much that while driving I have the steering wheel at about the 2 o'clock position, and if I make slight turn to the left, I have to turn the wheel to the 9 o'clock position. I would guess there is 3-4 inches of play in the steering wheel now, as when my son turns the wheel, it doesn't budge....When I spoke to the mechanic, he told me that the steering box would not cause the death wobble, but if everything is new on the front end, shocks, drag link, track bar, inner and outer tie end rods, sway bar, shocks...there steering box is the only thing left...I also bought a new intermediate shaft and hoses to replace while I am replacing the box. I sure those are original to the truck (223000 miles)...Thoughts?

 

do you have a steering box stabilizer on your truck and does your steering wheel have play in it while parked with the engine turned off? if so watch the pitman arm while someone moves the wheel back and forth to see if it is slightly tilting before it trys to turn the wheels. if the pitman arm comes loose the crush washer can still look flat and tight but let the pitman arm wobble on the tapered sector shaft on the steering box and cause more and more play in the steering wheel as it becomes looser. if not there id check the linkage from the steering wheel down to the steering box too before replacing the box. i recently had a loose pitman arm ruin its self from coming loose and causing atleast a 1/4 turn of play, but it was an extreme drop pitman arm for a 12in lift moving 40's so i fixed it with a 2010 steering box, new pitman arm for the much larger sector shaft and a ram assist steering kit from PSC. this was just for the play in the steering wheel i wouldnt know about the death wobble as ive never had it on my truck but it has always had the steering box stabilizer on it.

 

2004 Dodge 2500 4X4. Had the DW when the truck had less than 10K on it. Replaced the stabilizer shock. Haven't had it since.

Not a mechanic and that's all I know.

 

Finally fixed the death wobble issue, had to buy a new track bar, the shop sent me the wrong one, and was allowing too much play...sure enough replaced it, and now its good to go...also adjusted the caster....