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-   -   Bad Steering Issue (https://www.dieselbombers.com/12-valve-2nd-gen-dodge-cummins-94-98/12309-bad-steering-issue.html)

94cummins12v 05-05-2008 07:36 PM

Bad Steering Issue
 
ive noticed that when i go over a set of train tracks or an agressive bump that my truck starts shaking vilently. when its shaking the stearing wheel is moving from side to side faster then hell and it is bad, i have to slow down to about 25mph to get it to stop. i first noticed it in novermber when i bought the truck and have been putting stearing stablizers on to fix it but they dont seem to work any ideas?

ChinookFE 05-05-2008 07:38 PM

Track bar...Classic case of Dodge Death Wobble

94cummins12v 05-05-2008 07:42 PM

i dont know what it is but it scared my girlfreind when she drove it yesterday so i figured it would be time to fix it. how much does a track bar run?

Uncle Bubba 05-05-2008 07:47 PM

Just go into the 2nd gen section and do a search for Trac Bar. There are several options and pro's and con's for each of them. This death wobble is appropriatley named also. It will continue to get worse until one day your truckin down the highway and all the sudden lose all control of the steering. The steering wheel will take off out a your hands and all you can do is try to slow down before you get stopped by whatever you run into.

If you narrow down a few options you like then still have questions on them let us know and we can work from there.

The most coomon replacements I can think of are D-T Profab, 3rd Generation convertion kit, Stock replacement, a beefed of stock replacement and Thuren.

94cummins12v 05-05-2008 11:36 PM

ok i looked in a search and really couldnt find what i was looking for but all i need to know is how to make it quit shaking the hell out of me by thursday any advice on a decent track bar would be great

Diesel Dawgs Performance 05-06-2008 12:40 AM

Google DT ProFab

Uncle Bubba 05-06-2008 01:25 AM

D-T Profab or Don Thuren trac bars are the best but they are not the cheapest by any means. Dr. Evil posted up some info about a guy that is using the stock trac bar and beefing it up considerably if you wanna PM him for more info.

AndyMan 05-06-2008 09:10 AM

I just put on a DT Profab bar. It was almost $400 shipped. It's a NICE NICE NICE setup. I also just had new XRF Balljoints put in.

It def sounds like you've got good ole death wobble. I had it in my 03. It SUCKS for sure.

The most COMMON causes for death wobble are be:
bad ball joints
worn track bar
worn control arm bushings
cupped tires (or severely weirdly worn tires)

It can also be triggered by other things in the front end.

My advice would be to take it to a reputable front end shop and have them check it out. Don't drop four bills on a track bar only to find out you've got bad ball joints (or some other high $$ item).

---AutoMerged DoublePost---

The Thuren track bar is also top notch. I was going to order that from Don Thuren (who is a great guy BTW), but he was backlogged for a few weeks on availability.

94cummins12v 05-06-2008 10:20 AM

well there has not ever been one shop mechanic to touch my truck and there never will be, i dont trust them, im gogint to order an new track bar today. i know my tires are shot since my shocks were bad it wore my tires on the outside. the outside of the tires are bald and the insides are brand new

Dr. Evil 05-06-2008 10:44 AM

check your PM's

AndyMan 05-06-2008 10:50 AM


Originally Posted by 94cummins12v (Post 154968)
well there has not ever been one shop mechanic to touch my truck and there never will be

It's your money. Good luck.

For anyone else that runs across this thread: Death wobble and bad track bars don't go hand in hand. At a minimum, check out the ball joints, TRE's, treadwear pattern, and control arm bushings in addition to the track bar. While you're under there, check out the drag link, sway bar bushings, wheel bearings, u-joints and steering box/sector shaft. There's a lot of things that can cause death wobble. Too little caster, and even too much or too little toe can trigger it. Sometimes mild wear on more than one part, or a combination of a couple things outta whack can trigger it. I've found it very difficult to diagnose myself in some cases. I like to do my own work, but sometimes, it makes sense to have a pro check it out and give me recommendations. Not some idiot at a chain store, but a reputable and trusted shop. I've got a couple old timers that I trust. They've never let me down.

MotorOilMcCall 05-06-2008 11:08 AM

I gotta say while I like to do all my own work as well, death wobble is too serious to let go. If I can't find it within a week, its going to the shop. From the sounds of your worn tires your looking at ball joints, not bad shocks. Trac bar could be bad, but its not the only thing that causes it like Andy said.

Good luck and let us know what you find.

Uncle Bubba 05-06-2008 12:56 PM

If he's the only one who has ever worked on this truck and he's askin about the Trac Bar I wuld have to assume that it has never been replaced. This makes it the stock bar from 1994. I'm thinkin it's a pretty good chance it's ready to be replaced.:w2:

ChinookFE 05-06-2008 06:08 PM

I got the ThurenFab one on my 2nd Gen Gasser...I Love it, truck drives better than new now.

Dr. Evil 05-06-2008 07:09 PM


Originally Posted by Uncle Bubba (Post 154888)
D-T Profab or Don Thuren trac bars are the best but they are not the cheapest by any means. Dr. Evil posted up some info about a guy that is using the stock trac bar and beefing it up considerably if you wanna PM him for more info.

Here it is: https://www.dieselbombers.com/cummin...ar-option.html

A good option for the money, IMO.

Diesel Dawgs Performance 05-06-2008 07:21 PM

Well if his truck is a 94 and hes only 18 yrs old im sure someone other than him has worked on his truck before. Best to know whats wrong before you start throwing money at it only to discover it was something else.

94cummins12v 05-07-2008 11:36 AM

well the funny thing is that everything on this truck is stock. i ordered a new track bar and i will pit it on wednsday night to get me to southern idaho and back (1200) miles while frank from franks auto (thanks dr. evel) is building my new track bar. the pickup will be getting all new tie-rod ends and ball joints next week all i have to do is get through my trip and i will be happy. thanks guys

---AutoMerged DoublePost---

hey guys what do you think of this idea Dodge Ramcharger Central - Cummins Diesel - Ram Truck - Power Wagon - Trail Duster - 4X4 - Plymouth - Chrysler - Mopar it sounds like an ok deal

Dr. Evil 05-07-2008 11:42 AM


Originally Posted by 94cummins12v (Post 155156)
---AutoMerged DoublePost---
[/size][/color]
hey guys what do you think of this idea Dodge Ramcharger Central - Cummins Diesel - Ram Truck - Power Wagon - Trail Duster - 4X4 - Plymouth - Chrysler - Mopar it sounds like an ok deal


Thats basically what Frank does except he doesnt use the nylon - it wears too fast.

94cummins12v 05-07-2008 12:21 PM

he wants almost $300 bucks to do it so im going to call him to see if he will send it to me and i will do it myself

Uncle Bubba 05-07-2008 12:34 PM

The Lukes Links do a good job but over priced for what your gettin.

94cummins12v 05-07-2008 12:48 PM

if i remember right the lukes link is $65 and franks is $50

Dr. Evil 05-07-2008 01:00 PM


Originally Posted by 94cummins12v (Post 155394)
he wants almost $300 bucks to do it so im going to call him to see if he will send it to me and i will do it myself

Really? Prices sure have went up since last summer - if thats the case get a Thurenfab trackbar...

94cummins12v 05-07-2008 01:17 PM

well i dont have a ton of money to get anything now since i have my new turbo and i ordered a stock replacement track bar yesterday.

flatbad cummins 05-18-2008 04:37 PM

if the outsides are worn badly and the insides are brand new still, i'de look at ur ball joints as well as the track bar. it means ur camber is way off and typicaly points to ball joints. the cupping is caused by worn shocks and worn track bar.

jordan henne 10-07-2008 10:47 PM

i went through the same problem. I had spent hundreds trying to fix it. I replaced my track bar and steering stablizer and prety much hasnt happened in about 8000 miles. if that doesnt fix it there is a kit that boxes in your frame and mounts between the pitman arm and steering box. Acording to diesel power that kit will fix everything

94cummins12v 10-07-2008 11:05 PM

hey bud this issue has been fixed for a few months now thanks for your input though im thinking about the steering stabalizer from bd this winter but it comes with time i got the cummins, tranny and the lokks were i want it now its time for just small stuff here and there

dieseldick 11-27-2008 06:29 PM


Originally Posted by AndyMan (Post 154981)
It's your money. Good luck.

For anyone else that runs across this thread: Death wobble and bad track bars don't go hand in hand. At a minimum, check out the ball joints, TRE's, treadwear pattern, and control arm bushings in addition to the track bar. While you're under there, check out the drag link, sway bar bushings, wheel bearings, u-joints and steering box/sector shaft. There's a lot of things that can cause death wobble. Too little caster, and even too much or too little toe can trigger it. Sometimes mild wear on more than one part, or a combination of a couple things outta whack can trigger it. I've found it very difficult to diagnose myself in some cases. I like to do my own work, but sometimes, it makes sense to have a pro check it out and give me recommendations. Not some idiot at a chain store, but a reputable and trusted shop. I've got a couple old timers that I trust. They've never let me down.

depending on the size of your tires a new trac bar wont help. i had to use a dual opposing steering stabalizer to fix my death wobble. i run 35 inch nitto tires. this fixed it.

94cummins12v 11-28-2008 09:50 PM

i already got my dt profab hooked up and i love it no death wobble anymore it was the track bar, already have 3 skyjacker stearing stabilizers on mine, got 315/75/16 BFG alt


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