with my factory warranty nearing it's end, I took a shot and dropped the truck off to see if they'll do the steering upgrade. My "death wobble" isn't very deadly, or much of a wobble... I'd call it more of a "annoyance shimmy", but I played it up a bit, and we'll see if I can get the upgrade under warranty. The service adviser said that it was due for a recall as well, and that he would check it out for any other warranty issues. Here's what's funny... the adviser said that he had never heard of "death wobble" on dodge trucks, only on jeeps, and said not to believe the hype on the internet. Seems strange to me. Everyone I know that has currently, or has had, one of these has dealt with it at one time or another (my 2nd gen had it, but I put a track bar and new stabilizer and it fixed it).

 

I failed to warn my wife of the potential for "Death Wobble" and I can't explain how upset she was after experiencing it first hand. For a service adviser think we are making this up is inexcusable.

 

Its not surprising the adviser never heard of the death wobble, most of them never read TSB's or know anything about vehicles. Most are order takers and have no clue how a car/truck actually works.

 

I found the TSB for the death wobble which is 22-005-06 2003 - 2007 2500/3500 4x4, which I read replaces this stuff...
qt. 1 52106909ae Steering Damper
qt. 1 05086146ac Outer Tie Rod Package
qt. 1 05086144ac Tie Rod and outer link
qt. 2 06505623aa Nut and Washer

but they are not upgraded parts, just normal factory replacements, (which leads me to believe I'll have to do them again in a year or two)
but I read somewhere that dodge is doing the 08 steering upgrade on the 03-07's to prevent future issues, but I wasn't able to find anything in writing from Dodge. Anyone know if there's a TSB or something written about getting this upgrade?

 

There is a program in place to replace the front end components on the 03-07 with the upgraded factory 08 parts. As for it being a recall or TSB, Im not sure. I think if you have the problem and take it to the dealer, and if they know about it, they then replace with the 08 parts. Something like that

 

we'll see what they say today. I'm not crossing my fingers about the 08 upgrade, seeing as the service writer didn't even know about death wobble. Maybe it'll go to a tech that knows about it. we can only hope

 

Success! I just heard from the dealer. It's getting the TSB, although the adviser said that it was going to be different than the one I told him about, so maybe the 08 upgrade. He didn't have a clue when I asked him about it though, so we'll cross our fingers there.
Here's a list of what's being replaced under warranty for the DW:
4 ball joints
and whatever the TSB covers (probably what's listed above, I assume)
and due to leaks:
steering box
front pinion seal
Transfer case front output seal
crankshaft seal

so I have to say, at least the dealer seems to have a good service tech, even if the adviser didn't know what he was talking about. It should be back in my hands tomorrow afternoon.

 

It's back in my hands. The first front crank seal they got spewed oil when they started it, so I had to wait another day to get it back. No big deal. Walked out without paying a cent, and it drives like a brand new truck. I'm not sure if it's the 08 upgrade yet... it's dark and cold out, but I'll get a look tomorrow, and snap a few pictures if it is.

 

I had the 08 tsb done. there is a huge difference in the two setups. the 08 is way beefier.

I post some pictures on diesel bombers. I cant link them to here thoguh.

 

caster... it's all in the caster.

my truck with the worn wide 33's on there, tre's... shot, ball joints... loose, control arms bushings shot... no dw at all. have the caster at over 5.0 on both sides which is beyond the spec. Never had an issue.