84-85 Trucks & 4Runners 2nd gen pickups and 1st gen 4Runners with solid front axles

so i got a death wobble?

Old Mar 9, 2008 | 10:39 AM
  #1  
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so i got a death wobble?

ya im getting a death wobble at about 50mph but its not always there,but sometimes it is. my dad says it is the u joints in the rear driveshaft( i have a 2 piece driveshaft). so is he right anyones input is welcome.

also it sometimes pulls to the left but not always.

thanks for any help.

Travis
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Old Mar 9, 2008 | 10:47 AM
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dont mean to hijack but i also have death wobble in the front in the 30-40 mph range. if you find a way to fix it let me know.
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Old Mar 9, 2008 | 10:49 AM
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will do.
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Old Mar 9, 2008 | 11:15 AM
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Death Wobble can be attribute to many things especially on an SA.
Out of balance/worn tires
Bent Tie Rods
Bad wheel bearings
Broken Spring
Bent Frame
those are just off the top of my head

I would recommend jacking up your truck and moving your wheels by hand and check for any excessive play. When I had the "death wobble' on my old '84 it was due to lack of maintenance on my part from water crossing and not greasing the wheel bearings...rebuilt the front end, and it fixed it. Good luck, tracking them down can be a headache.

No disrespect to your dad, but I am not sure how a rear drive shaft issue would make your truck pull to the left (assuming DW is upfront) you may need to replace your rear u joints too...old trucks are just that, old and need maintenance.
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Old Mar 9, 2008 | 11:37 AM
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I agree with you ocdropzone i couldnt figure out why the u joints would do that either also i checked them and they seem to be good.im thinking its Bent Tie Rods, Bad wheel bearings, or Broken Spring. when i get home today ill do a little check up on it, and see if i can figure it out. thanks for your input, if anyone else has any feel free to add it.
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Old Mar 9, 2008 | 03:25 PM
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check your steering components, and wheel bearings, as stated.

Death wobble is a function of manual steering.

If those other things don't fix it, its your caster. Get it checked, and cut and weld the perches to fix.
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Old Mar 9, 2008 | 08:49 PM
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Originally Posted by AxleIke
check your steering components, and wheel bearings, as stated.

Death wobble is a function of manual steering.

If those other things don't fix it, its your caster. Get it checked, and cut and weld the perches to fix.
Mine death wobbled with all brand new stuff after my 4" lift. It was a combo of my completely worn out tires and caster. I don't think you can cut off the perches and reweld. You have to cut and turn the balls.

Best and cheapest way I've found to combat DW, Hydro Assist!!! Worked like a charm on mine
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Old Mar 10, 2008 | 05:27 AM
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Originally Posted by Volcom
Mine death wobbled with all brand new stuff after my 4" lift. It was a combo of my completely worn out tires and caster. I don't think you can cut off the perches and reweld. You have to cut and turn the balls.

Best and cheapest way I've found to combat DW, Hydro Assist!!! Worked like a charm on mine
You can cut and reweld the perches IF your caster is only out very slightly. You can also shim to correct the problem. If it is out too much, you are correct, he must cut and turn.
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Old Mar 10, 2008 | 06:12 AM
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death wobble is usually in the front....not the rear...

If the vibration is coming from the rear its most likely your driveshaft.

Check to make sure you havent lost any weights on the shaft.

Also, check to make sure that your u-joints are greased and in good condition.

Also, check to make sure your u-joints are in-phase
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Old Mar 10, 2008 | 07:04 AM
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I thought it was in the front. His dad thought it was the rear dshaft, but they thought that was weird.
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Old Mar 10, 2008 | 09:05 AM
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From: St. Loser, Misery
Originally Posted by AxleIke
I thought it was in the front. His dad thought it was the rear dshaft, but they thought that was weird.

Yea, who knows really......I just read that you have a carrier bearing too.....you might wanna check out the condition of that too....IF its coming from the rear
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Old Mar 10, 2008 | 10:40 AM
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nope its comeing from the front pretty sure its the wheel bearings.
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Old Mar 10, 2008 | 11:18 AM
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From: St. Loser, Misery
jack it up and shake the wheels back and forth...if there is movement then its your bearings
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Old Mar 11, 2008 | 02:27 PM
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ya there is movement,im going to work on it next week. i really dont have time right now.
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Old Mar 12, 2008 | 07:23 AM
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From: St. Loser, Misery
I would recommend using OEM toyota wheel bearings (Koyo) they are more expensive but worth it. There are some good writeup on the intardweb on the proper procedure for setting the bearings
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Old Mar 12, 2008 | 10:41 AM
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ive done the bearings on a 2wd chevy, how much of a difference will there be on this thing? ive never worked on a 4x4 front axle before.
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Old Mar 13, 2008 | 08:41 AM
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From: St. Loser, Misery
Originally Posted by 85toy
ive done the bearings on a 2wd chevy, how much of a difference will there be on this thing? ive never worked on a 4x4 front axle before.
check here....

http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/CheapTri...eRebuild.shtml
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