Death wobble

[Broken85]

Not sure if the K30 frame is as weak as the K10 frame but if you've experienced some violent death wobble I'd check the frame for cracks at the steering box.

More for damage from the death wobble as opposed to the cause of the death wobble, although a bad enough frame break could contribute to the problem.

I've battled death wobble in my jeep several times and have discovered not to overlook "New" parts when searching for problems. I've had parts I had already replaced trying to solve the issue get destroyed quickly as a few death wobble occurrences were enough to wreck the parts I just installed.

Just had to box the frame on my brothers K5 last week because of a cracked frame at the steering box. They sell kits for the repair, but you better know how to weld and have machine that can handle it.

 

[fnny6770]

Does a GMC four wheel drive front Axle have King pins?

 

[legopnuematic]

If it’s a real K30(35, 3500) it will have a kingpin Dana 60 front.

K10 and K20s would have either a Dana 44 or Corp 10 bolt after 1977.

 

[fnny6770]

It's a real k-30 ordered that way from the factory in 1979! I just watched a video on how to rebuild those kingpins, and from memory that's exactly what it's got on it.

 

[Camar068]

If it’s a real K30(35, 3500) it will have a kingpin Dana 60 front.

K10 and K20s would have either a Dana 44 or Corp 10 bolt after 1977.

dumb question, so do corp 10's have king pins? Sorry to derail a bit.

 

[CalSgt]

dumb question, so do corp 10's have king pins? Sorry to derail a bit.

Nope, press in ball joints on the 44’s and 10 bolts

 

[Camar068]

Nope, press in ball joints on the 44’s and 10 bolts

rgr that, thanks and sorry again for bit of derail from OP post.

 

[bucket]

Yeah that era of Sooper Doodys had some bad juju in some of the front ends. I recall 2 cases of DW just in our local fleet of “new” 08-10 Sooper Doodoos. Like less than a couple yrs old trucks.
Caster plays a large part in controlling DW too. Not sure if that was the issue on the Ferds but could be.

At one point in time, we had six 12's and an '09 Super Dooty at work. All of them had issues with death wobble at one time or another. Some of them were only a year or two old when they were a problem. The track bar bushing and track bar ball joint are the biggest offenders in my experience. It's a stupid design too, the track bar ball joint presses into the axle housing, with very limited space to get a ball joint press on it.

 

[fnny6770]

Will worn out leaf spring bushings cause the death wobble?

 

[nvrenuf]

Yes

 

[bucket]

Will worn out leaf spring bushings cause the death wobble?

Yes

WILL they? Eh.

CAN they? Yes.

 

[hoagster]

Just had to box the frame on my brothers K5 last week because of a cracked frame at the steering box. They sell kits for the repair, but you better know how to weld and have machine that can handle it.

Yes that can add to the death wobble.

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ORD Brace kit.

 

[cadillac_al]

I'll bet the tires are ancient and flat spotted.

 

[fnny6770]

Can you see the cracks without removing the steering box?

 

[hoagster]

Take some pictures of the area, also if you follow the other advise by having someone turn the steering wheel and observe. If there are the steering box shouldn't move at all. It will be apparent if there are cracks.