Another "Death Wobble" Question

[johnnywagon]

I know there have been many posts on this subject but I have a very specific question. I recently put a couple thick fender washers on top of the kingpin springs on my Dana 60 and it did make the death wobble better but its still there. My question is: I'm thinking of adding another washer or two, which add up to almost 1/2" of spacing. Think it will help or hinder? Has anyone had luck with simply rebuilding to top end only (spring & cone bushing). I'm trying to do this on the cheap before I can afford crossover steering.
Thanks, John

[DieselEater]

I did the washer thing and the wobble came back after about 50 miles.......So I bit the bullet and bought the kingpin re-build kit. I still haven't installed it, but feel that it is the only REAL way to fix the problem. If I don't install it this winter, I'll sell it to you for a few bucks cheaper than you can buy one. My truck won't be seeing the high-way anymore since I'm going from Modified Street to Pro-stock class, and my engine will no longer be streat-able.


A.......

[eedgell]

Just a dummy here asking a question. Is the the death wobble more from the front kings being worn, or the big tires? Or both? Or will new king pins fix this nasty wobble with the larger tires?

[DieselEater]

Death Wobble is most common on Dana 60's. A new kingpin kit will fix it. If it still wobbles it is not Death Wobble.....it's out of balance or tie rod ends or something else...

A......

[Americanrider]

I'm just finishing a kingpin job on my 85 K30. What a PIA! Might as well do the brakes while you have them off too.

You should read this :

http://www.offroaddesign.com/catalog...ng-bushing.htm

If your going to change them out go with the full kit and read into these
articles before you start, it helped me. Mine had worn on the lower bearing and causing the bottom of the knuckle to hit the axle tube lower "C" at full turn.

http://www.pirate4x4.com/tech/billav...pin/index.html

[vtblazer]

Do a full rebuild kit install.

Alot more work than just doing the top end but the benefits are worth it.

I had death wobble with my 39.5's that was 'livable' so I did the washer trick and all was good but with the 42's, forget about trying to drive it on the roads...scary.

Busted a knuckle which led to the Dedenbear install, so while I was doing that I figured I'd give it a full kit rebuild.

Troubles are over, I can drive down the road at speed again. (safely)

[Burt4x4]

I found/have a differnt solution.
Death wobble is caused by the kingpin springs deflecting right, wether it is due to worn parts, big tires or whatever. So the true fix is to eliminate the springs!

www.wfoconcepts.com
Trevor over at WFO designed a steering arm that eliminates the springs. Basically there are shims on top of the bushing so you can still adjust the tension on the kingpins so they aren't too tight or loose. I never have to worry about deathwobble...ever!

This is his Xover/Highsteer arms, my 454 and short lift prevented me from using his "behind the axel" highsteer so I had to mount the tie-rod up front and did not use the double arm in that pic but you get the idea...
WFO Rocks!

[vtblazer]

So they just bolt right down onto the cone?

Elimination the spring and plastic bushing?

[Yukon Jack]

As this topic is being discussed, can "death wobble" happen on the old Dana 44 closed knuckle axle like in my 69? I get a bad shaking feeling from about 45 to 55 mph. It decreases a little when I get closer to about 60 mph. The shake is progressively getting worse and didn't change when I rotated the tires recently.

[johnnywagon]

Thanks to everyone for your input! I think tonight I'll ad another washer as a quick fix but long term will be a complete kingpin rebuild or the WFO spring eliminator kit when I go crossover. Thanks again! You guys rock.

[Burt4x4]

Hey YJ ~ death wobble is not shaking ~ both your front tires VIOLENTLY shift from left to right, very scary feeling, I have only been a passanger when this happens but as a driver it feels like you are gonna DIE from it it is very bad and you have to practicaly come to stop to make it stop. You cannot drive when this happens as the rig is freaking out big time!

VT ~ no the cones stay in place, in that pic from WFO you see that washer with the lip, that goes ontop of the cone and then the shims on top if that. You replace the bolts with studs so the steering arm slids on over the studs then you use acorn nuts to secure the arm to the knuckle. You do have to make sure the shims stay ontop of the cone/washer until the arm is flat. Greese keeps them from moving so it's easy. So basically you toss out only the spring and the spring cap. Works like a champ and now there is no posiable way for the deflection to occur

[Burt4x4]

Sorry just to clarify after I re-read:
Cone = white plastic bushing not the cone fixed to the knuckle..
Understand?

[vtblazer]

Originally Posted by Burt4x4

VT ~ no the cones stay in place, in that pic from WFO you see that washer with the lip, that goes ontop of the cone and then the shims on top if that. You replace the bolts with studs so the steering arm slids on over the studs then you use acorn nuts to secure the arm to the knuckle. You do have to make sure the shims stay ontop of the cone/washer until the arm is flat. Greese keeps them from moving so it's easy. So basically you toss out only the spring and the spring cap. Works like a champ and now there is no posiable way for the deflection to occur

Yeah, figured cause that's about the only way it could work.

But thanks for the 'Elsplaino'

[Burt4x4]

Coolleo Julleo
Have a SUPER GREAT weekend

[earl87gta]

here is a pic of part of why deathwoble happens I have also thought if we could find some one who makes springs that could make a little stiffer spring it may help. but the more presure you put on the bushings the more they will were and krack. I looked in to the cross over arm that partsmike sells and it looks like its a good product but its not as user friendly as the origanl set up you have to play around with it some its not self adjusting like the springs. Its also goin to have the same problem sooner or later the bushings are going to crack. some one needs to take those steering arms and add a king pin deleat kit. replace the kingin with a round pin and have a bearing that would go around it. then use the arms to put presure on the bearing asembly.

[johnnywagon]

Its FIXED!! For now, at least. Three thick fender washers per side did the trick.

[Burt4x4]

Nice, when I pulled my kingpins apart there was a stack of washers in each of mine to, must be a common way to stiffin the spring up. Gald to hear your back rolling not wobbeling

[earl87gta]

We need to come up with a better solution then stacking washers. We know the real problem is the bushings cracking. I wonder if we could get them made out of something other then plastic. I just don’t know what.

[johnnywagon]

The wobble is back. Going to replace the king-pin springs and a new steering stabilizer. Has anyone come out with any new solutions? (besides the complete rebuild). Thanks.

[fun in dirt]

Lasted 5 yrs that's pretty good!

[71blazerdetroit]

I'll just add another victim that switched to springless arms and won't look back.

That was after doing a full rebuild with new springs and having da' wobble.

[snj8198]

Originally Posted by 71blazerdetroit

I'll just add another victim that switched to springless arms and won't look back.

That was after doing a full rebuild with new springs and having da' wobble.

What what?! Springless whats? What are these critters? Do you have or know of any links? Do tell sir...

[Burt4x4]

This is my springless crossover/highsteer arm built by wfoconcepts.com..there are adjustable versions nowa days and you can even buy just a block that is not an "arm", but crossover is a nice conversion so I would do that and eliminate the springs at the same time
Google it..there are like 10 companys(or howevermany) making them now...

[johnnywagon]

New King Pin springs plus one thick washer and a new steering stabilizer and no more wobble. Next time it will be a full rebuild with springless conversion.

[joe231]

check out these bad boys

http://www.wfoconcepts.com/pr/Dana-6...3168/3462/4144

and


http://www.wfoconcepts.com/pr/Dana-6...3168/3462/4277