Not the death wobble. good info and a good product. the steering issue you have is the "driving miss daisy" syndrome. the death wobble is another problem dodge has where bumps at high speed make the truck shake so violently its impossible to keep driving.
+1. Death Wobble is where the front wheels wobble uncontrollably forcing you to slow down FAST or you are going to loose control. It happens when you hit the expansion gaps on the highway at speed with this setup front end on most older trucks. a stabilizer helps this as well but the issue you are seeing just a loose steering box AKA "driving miss daisy". Death wobble is also what happens to bikes after they do a wheelie and the front tire is not straight when it hits the ground, or the front tire slips AKA a "tank slapper".
Had my front end replaced. You name it they replaced it.(my cost). Worked great for 12.5 months. Took it back. They called and said $890.00 need this that and more. No one had checked anything out. Asked about how long it was covered. They could not find where it had been worked on. Guess they did not think I would have my paperwork in hand. Well after they seen and found their copy. The story changed all it needed was another bolt. ONE HAD FALLEN OUT ON THE TRACK BAR. Took 3 days to get this very special bolt in.Had to be ordered. Now I go to change the oil and while under truck look up and see this very special bolt. This bolt is so Special it does not even fit thru the nut. No big thing they said as the track bar could not fall off. Well i don't think i'll be back for any service to West Brothers Dodge in Sullivan, Mo. Did I say that.
Man, dead on!! My 2001 Dodge Dakota does not suffer from the same issue (no pitman arm), but I owned a '99 1500 RAM Sport (I miss that 5.9L), and I fought the same steering issue...even after replacing damn near every component up front. Thanks for sharing this! I have friends with RAMs, and will certainly pass along this information!
Ram 1500s still have vibration issues (watching this 9 years later because of my 2019).. Dealerships act as if they don’t know what I’m talking about and can’t replicate the issue. When there’s a website dedicated to stabilizing a specific vehicle, it’s more than just a fluke.
Why not JUST REPLACE THE PARTS that are worn? You said you have ASE certs,you cant see that? I understand the bearings and races on steering ect but mostly the upper/lower ball joints and tie rods, if it is the steering box like you said, well they wear out too, the engineering is nice-good ect but the real deal is just replace the parts. IF that doesn't help, THEN look to aftermarket, why spend EXTRA on this band aid when you KNOW you have really worn parts?
Barry Culloty This doesn't fix broken parts. It holds good parts in place. I installed one with a red head box . just to spread the load of steering out.
@Tboninator You're right. And I did. I call things the wrong name on the fly like that. I call ratchets wrenches etc. too. My bad. I also call bolts nuts and visa versa. I did replace the steering gear box (I have a vid on that too) and then I installed the steering gear output shaft brace too. (also video posted) The truck is WAY better now.
I did this mod to my 2003 Dodge 2500. (122,000 miles) Amazing difference. All of my front end has been replaced including a new six bolt steering box. Never saw the death wobble just drifting/DUi candidacy potential. Added the lower steering gear stabilizer, all problems gone. No more drift.Thanks for the info leading to this fix. Happy camper!
@Jx1x3 That would be good, but I don't dare film the death wobble it's a white knuckle crap your pants kind of thing! Plus I already replace the gear box and it cleaned up 80% of the problem. I'm still waiting on the kit. That would have been the thing to do if I could find a passenger that's half Keneval to film it. ; )
A bushing went out on my old nissan pathfinder and the wobble scares me 40mph plus, a shop fixed it for cheap and i got rid of it cuz its a gas eater too.
Recently did this repair and the lower steering collar bushing and a lot of play was removed. I've already replaced all of the other steering and suspension parts. Easy to do also.
I bought one of those and it is a waste of money. you must constantly keep that lower bearing greased or your steering will lock up. also. it doesn't help the steering at all and it makes aligning your frontend impossible for the mechanics
That steering stabilizer, as you call it, is a sway bar. The steering stabilizer is the shock absorber like cylinder that attaches to the drag link. I hope you know that you should be replacing the steering box, not just using that brace as a band-aid. Your steering box is worn out, and never used to do that- replace that, then use the brace to help prevent it from happening again down the road.
I get that in my '99 ram 1500 4x4. I bought it new and kept stock size tires on since day one. 130k miles. Never mud or rough it up. Death wobble starts in the same places in the roads as did my old jeep Comanche. The front ends are nearly the same design. This is genius. That pillow block bearing can be replaced cheaply, but I wonder how long it would hold up to winter road salt?
Mine would death wobble at 65mph or higher and was unsafe- I couldn't hold a lane. With the construction in my area my truck was worthless on the highway. Replacing the steering gear and installing the brace made my truck steer like new again.
@09victoryrc Their corporate business plan is to sell new cars. Leaving the flaw helps them (in their mind) to do that. Many people trade their car in instead of solving the problem.
@lowrider9367 Death wobble comes on like you explained- on the freeway after hitting a bump, but it feels more like the truck is possessed or having a seizure or something. You can feel it in the whole truck, but not only in the steering. It's not just that rubbery vibration that tapers down on it's own. Hope this helps there.
If you get the wobble when braking- it's the rotors. If you get it from just hitting a bump even without braking- it's steering linkage. You're welcome.
I've heard WAY too many people say that when they brought their trucks/Jeeps in to me. There are a list of things that can cause that. This is what finally fixed mine and many others. The things to look into are 1. Lower ball joint up/down play. 2. Uneven tire wear. 3. Loose control arm bushings and or tie rods. 4. Steering gear box play. 5. Inadequate steering dampening for truck setup/lift/equipment.
@briansmobile1 When I reviewed that topic of galvanic cathode protection, I discovered some marine and industrial situations where they do protect exposed metal with strategically placed aluminum or zinc rods. But, sometimes it's cheaper to just let it rust and then fix it later. Cheers, and thanks for this video.
@craigtreeguy It worked awesome. I did some low range 4x4 on rocky stuff and that's what was hardest on the last one. I drove home down the canyon at speed through construction with tight safe steering. It's working great!
@spelunkerd You're welcome- I'm still thinking about and appreciating that water heater vid you made. They should apply that principle to bridges that span rivers.
@findtmoon Good to know! Steering is one thing NOT to mess around with. If brakes fail you can aim for something cheap or uphill. Steering IS the most important system on a car for safety in terms of avoiding an accident.
My 06 3/4 ton ram with Cummins took me for a joyus ride today. Thought I was gonna die from the death wobble. I'm so scared to add anything I've spent thousands on this bs.
+bubbacrabb : Well, you can take the lift outta the front end of your truck and put it back to stock for starters. And... if that's not feasible for some reason, then you need to have a professional mechanic who actually KNOWS a lot about Dodge trucks fix the truck properly, AND guarantee his work. (If he'll guarantee his work, that means he actually knows how to fix it. If he won't guarantee his work, find a guy that will.) It probably won't be easy, there are a LOT of mechanics out there that aren't worth a damn. Your truck will likely need various worn out front end steering and suspension parts. Your truck is 12 years old!!! Worn=out junk, by manufacturing standards. Remember, the automobile is DESIGNED to fail every 10 years. TRUTH. Anyhow, after you get everything "tightened up" like it's supposed to be in the steering and front suspension, now comes the ALIGNMENT. You'll need to have a QUALITY front-end alignment done professionally with a lazer-sensor alignment rack and such. Have the axle's CASTER set to OEM specification. No quick tape-measure, set toe and go, call it good, bullshit alignment. True "death wobble" comes from incorrect front axle CASTER settings, which are almost always caused by lift kits or leveling kits that are not properly compensated elsewhere for in the geometry of the front axle's suspension movements (longer adjustable front axle trailing arms are generally required).
Is that a LED light bar on the garage ceiling. If so do you run a power invertor to drop it down to 12 volts. Crap just looked up and saw this vid., is almost 5 yrs. old.
did you check or narrow it down to the steering intermidate shaft? I narrowed it to that and made a video about it. at the gear box as you pointed out is the u-joint on the shaft but it uses a rubber interior which mine went out due to getting a little brake fluid on it... it's only two bolts to replace and it saves money. that rubber let's there be play at the bottom. I'd recommend the "Intermidate steering shaft" due to the bottom part to the gear box has a rubber interior to the joint that fails quite a bit
Let me throw you a curve ball, funny thing with dodge. Back in the mid 70,s the Dodge Van's also had major problems with steering too. the mounting bolts to the frame that bolted the steering box, break through the frame and the box just about fell off. For some reason this has plagued Chrysler Dodge Plymouth and Jeep for decades. I personally have a 99 Durango 4*4 that has the plague of ripping the caliper pin's that Mount the brake calipers. In my opinion this design flaw should have been a recall!!!!! I fixed the issue myself without replacing the steering knuckles, or using z coils . anyone needing this repair help just ask. I just wanted to say that I am not bashing Mopar so no negative feedback please!!!
Thank You! The first time I noticed the steering problem was on the way driving it home after buying it brand new from the dealer! 2006 Dodge 3/4 ton longbed crew cab 4x4. I thought I just needed to get used to a "new feel" for steering. Ha! Here it is 9 years later and I was really suffering last night, wandering all over the place trying to stay in a very narrow lane. Too hairy -- I've had it. I have to try one or both of these solutions. FYI, I have never experienced death wobble. Maybe these enhancements will keep that from becoming a problem. Thank you so much for the info.
Hey Brian, I realize this is kinds old but did the bracket fix death wobble? My 03 3500 dually has it bad. Interestingly enough it only started after I put BFG's on and they were about 8 months old (a lot of chatter out there that that is a big part of the problem but just doesn't ring true too me). I also got some info from one of the higher ups at Dodge for allignment specs that are supposed to help. I will share them with you for your thoughts. CASTER: LW/RW: 3.2/3.5 CROSS CASTER: -0.3 CAMBER: LW/RW: -0.10/-0.10 CROSS CAMBER: 0.0. The positive Castor is supposed to help with the weight of the cummins. That make sense too you? Thanks again Brian. Ken
+Stutzzz 101 : YES, YES, YES, YES, YESSSSSSS A million times YES!!! It's like I found the ONLY other person on the planet with a brain! Incorrect CASTER settings is what causes "Death Wobble", nothing else. Everything else is just "slop" in the steering. Bottom line is that the entire steering and suspension systems need to be kept up and properly maintained. Parts that are sloppy or worn-out MUST be replaced. Proper front-end alignments are CRITICAL to the correct function of any vehicle. Most Dodge and Ford pickups will experience "death wobble" because of the fact that the CASTER angle is compromised and not corrected after something as simple as a "leveling kit" is added to the front end of the vehicle, which in turn, alters the CASTER angle in a negative direction and screws the front end up!!!!!
I like the way you think......I am a retired german car tech. I am working on excessive play on my 94 ram 3500 steering. I replaced some weak upper ball joints and retightened my pitman arm for the third time.
Decided this needed to be cut and pasted here: Stutzzz 101 Hey Brian, I realize this is kinds old but did the bracket fix death wobble? My 03 3500 dually has it bad. Interestingly enough it only started after I put BFG's on and they were about 8 months old (a lot of chatter out there that that is a big part of the problem but just doesn't ring true too me). I also got some info from one of the higher ups at Dodge for allignment specs that are supposed to help. I will share them with you for your thoughts. CASTER: LW/RW: 3.2/3.5 CROSS CASTER: -0.3 CAMBER: LW/RW: -0.10/-0.10 CROSS CAMBER: 0.0. The positive Castor is supposed to help with the weight of the cummins. That make sense too you? Thanks again Brian. Ken Turbo Diesel +Stutzzz 101 : YES, YES, YES, YES, YESSSSSSS A million times YES!!! It's like I found the ONLY other person on the planet with a brain! Incorrect CASTER settings is what causes "Death Wobble", nothing else. Everything else is just "slop" in the steering. Bottom line is that the entire steering and suspension systems need to be kept up and properly maintained. Parts that are sloppy or worn-out MUST be replaced. Proper front-end alignments are CRITICAL to the correct function of any vehicle. Most Dodge and Ford pickups will experience "death wobble" because of the fact that the CASTER angle is compromised and not corrected after something as simple as a "leveling kit" is added to the front end of the vehicle, which in turn, alters the CASTER angle in a negative direction and screws the front end up!!!!!
Steering coupler is broke. I don't know why he is referring to the sway bar. I guess he missed it when little miss turned the wheel for him. Her laugh was cute.
I have 2006 3500 dually diesel. have changed everything, front end parts , u joints, steering box,( truck does not wander) as well as having the steering stabilizer.Truck certifies easily... Still get the death wobble. Fed up...not a safe vehicle. Typical dodge junk.
04-07 2500/3500 rams (most) recalled for 08 update on track bar/pit man arm/steering stabilizers/tie rod and tie rod end ball joints. Old recall, but posted for those who did not know.
I purchased one of these installed it in a relative short amount of time, but it did NOT solve my problem. I guess I will jack it up and see what else could be causing the intense vibration on my 1997 Ram 1500 ST 4WD. Only the right side seems to be going crazy. I welcome any suggestions. I have replaced the shocks and just about everything else.
Bought the Rock Solid Steering and too much play . I have the Big Bore HD PSE box . Borgesn pump and shaft. Dodge Off-road T steering steering drag link. I have to much play . Somebody mentioned back lash how do you do that .
If you keep the Y-style steering, this will not solve the wandering or death wobble. Buy a 98-99 ram 3500 system. Bolts up directly to 2nd gen knuckles and is a heavier construction as well as a T-style setup. I put that exact gearbox brace on my 97 2500 and it helped the slop in the column, but not in the driveability. Still wandered and still went through tie rod ends like crazy. Good instructions on how to install this brace, but again, it only helps with the column sloppiness. Hope this helps
gonna try tightening down the steering box nut and see if that fixes my problem, quite a bit of slop in the steering wheel in my 95 ram truck, it still starts right up every time and drives smooth considering previous owners' neglect and 226k+ miles. I don't want to spend a fortune on this thing, knowing the infamous trans issues and obviously gas money being no joke in a 90s v8 truck lol. I do appreciate reliable point A to B transportation considering a string of junky unreliable cars I had in previous years, but, if it'll cost too much to fix the truck I'd rather outright sell it or trade it in for a fuel efficient vehicle, it's a bit scary driving it on the highway with the steering slop
so put the steering stabilizer , gear box and basically rebuilt the front end. Still sloppy steering. EMF rods and steering has a video of the upper bushing that shows the issue. I can not find any after market parts to replace this. Any thoughts?
I changed wheel bearings, tie rod ends, ball joints, new tires and nothing worked. Mechanics couldn't figure out why my 94 explorer wobbled then I noticed play in the steering wheel and bought a new steering gearbox and new steering couplers and had my mechanic install them and that fixed it.
I just installed this and I have a Skyjacker double shock for the pitman arm that connects to the frame and then claim to the pitman arm I believe everything is new sway bar link pitman arm all the joints up underneath there only thing I haven't replaced is my gearbox and my upper lower ball joints and I had them checked recently and they didn't seem to be bad it definitely made an improvement a lot compared to what it used to be but I'm still get not a smooth ride now could it be from the tires cuz they're choppy possibly going to put a brand new set of tires and after that we will see how she rolls but I honestly think that it's going to need a gearbox Skyjacker double for the pitman arm in front and then that thing that braces the gearbox definitely 70% better but it's still not completely gone any suggestions and should I go with a redhead gearbox or like a O'Reilly's AutoZone brand new or reman what do you guys think thanks so much
Ive installed this product/steering stabilizer and while it did take away most of the sloppyness/play there is still some play. Your track bar/ball joint is usually worn out and I've installed a Luke's link on my track bar along with urethane bushing vs factory rubber one.
Thanks! I am building a 4x4 now I wondered about this item I don't have this trouble, But trucks down here So FL. don't get beat up with salt, bad roads, pot holes so on. But the sun bakes them to death see my dash install video. Great job.
Yea I’m have a almost the same problem I replaced shock an Sway bar but I didn’t replace the brushing on the steering link bushing you think they might be the problem
Can you send me a link to your second video on repair my truck is doing the same damage thing after I have replaced all suspension arms stabilizer bar etc etc etc !! Ty
This is a cheap way to ghetto fixing your truck z just fix it and stop being cheap . It’s nothing with the design is all in bad parts and cheap parts and poor work quality . This kit is a joke
i thought death wobble was caused by the control arms being too short especially with a lift the angle is too steep and the wheels act like a shopping cart wheel.....you know...that one damn wheel that goes crazy and won't stop shimmying because the castor (is that the right term?) is messed up. that is what i was told...
dude do u think my truck has the same problem??? i got a 06 mega cab with a 6inch lift on 35's and i have changed my pitman arm already cuz it had a lot of play u could pretty much turn the wheel and the wheels would'nt move until a full turn,it was bad! Now the death wobble is worse and it only does it at 50 and only when i hit a bump on da rd! WAT DO U THINK IT IS ON MINE?
That's funny. I literally JUST fixed this on my 91 Cummins on monday. I replaced the pin that goes from the column into the box, and that took all of the play out of my steering. and it was a good half a turn loose. It is the exact same symptoms, I would recommend checking that too, then again your truck is 10 years newer than mine, so maybe they did away with it.
