What causes front end wobble after Bump?

[Stephen Moss]

Don't know where to start. My 86 c35 dually (stock) starts shaking and wobbling every time I go over a good bump or Rail Road Tracks and won't stop until I come to a stop. Happens slow or fast. Looked over everything but can't find anything wrong. No steering problems, good tires, shocks a little old but good. Power steering has a very small leak but keep it filled. Would a part of the suspension be broken that I can't see. Hope to fix it myself, fixed retirement income and can't afford a pro to do it for me. Any advice would help, or ideas of what might be the cause. Thanks

 

[skysurfer]

Raise the front end and check for loose wheel bearings, ball joints, tie rod ends. If everything checks good you probably have excessive play in the steering box. If you can't find it you'll have to take it to a shop. Whatever the cause, it's only going to get worse.

 

[Stephen Moss]

Sounds Good!

I'll have to put it up on jack stands and start checking it out. I'll pull out the manuals and check part by part. I'ts not wearing my tires unevenly but needs to be taken care of. I thought rebuilding the back axle was tough, this might even be more difficult.
Thanks for the advice.

 

[Skweegle89]

What tires are on it?


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[82flatdeck]

Check to see if your steering box is loose as well.

 

[PrairieDrifter]

Definitely loose steering parts or ball joints, possibly wheel bearings too.

 

[CSFJ]

There was a really good response to the death wobble question in another thread this year, and I'll be damned if I can recall which thread it was. I almost want to say it was MadOgre who wrote it, but I may be mistaken.

 

[firebane]

@MadOgre did write it up. But basically its called death wobble and its caused by EXTREMELY worn components in the front end of a truck.

You have tie rods, drag links, ball joints and ujoints. As well as spring leaf bushings that all get horribly worn out and cause these issues.

 

[pinch1020]

Steering damper shocks....