2013 Powerwagon death wobble

[Electrichemi]

Last couple weeks have been hitting some bumps in the road the truck wants to dart to one side then get a horrendous vibration in the steering wheel enough where I have to pull the truck off the road and slow down would this be the infamous death wobble?

 

[olyelr]

Yep. Sounds like you are describing death wobble.

 

[ThunderMug95]

Did this start after hitting said bumps? You may have bent/broke something. DW can happen under otherwise perfect conditions usually induced by poorly designed/installed suspension components and/or worn out components.

 

[SeppW]

Still running the OE damper? Could be shot.

 

[Juice17]

In the jeeps was usually the trac bar.

 

[Fatbob Frank]

I had a wheel bearing go out of my 2008 1500 that acted like that...

 

[soapy]

Check all your front end parts for looseness. A new steering dampener may stop the problem for a while but is only a mask until the worn components are replaced.

 

[LAC]

I have a 2021 PW 32,000 miles and I have experienced the death wobble. In my truck, it only happens at speeds above or right at 70 mph.I usually can feel it coming on when I hit the wash boards on the road just right and if I let off the accelerator and get the wheels going in different direction kinda like quick reflex but if I miss it hold on and hope nobody is coming in other direction I have to come to a stop or close to it to bring it out of the death shake it is scary as hell. it has never done it on my country roads with washboards but I do not drive it at 70 mph either nobody seams too be able to find anything so I am in limbo unless you guys got some ideas I can give the mechanics around here. Thanks, in advance I am not knowledgeable on alot of this but have a good friend that helps me translate the mechanical lingo into girl talk for me.

 

[Docwagon1776]

I have a 2021 PW 32,000 miles and I have experienced the death wobble. In my truck, it only happens at speeds above or right at 70 mph.I usually can feel it coming on when I hit the wash boards on the road just right and if I let off the accelerator and get the wheels going in different direction kinda like quick reflex but if I miss it hold on and hope nobody is coming in other direction I have to come to a stop or close to it to bring it out of the death shake it is scary as hell. it has never done it on my country roads with washboards but I do not drive it at 70 mph either nobody seams too be able to find anything so I am in limbo unless you guys got some ideas I can give the mechanics around here. Thanks, in advance I am not knowledgeable on alot of this but have a good friend that helps me translate the mechanical lingo into girl talk for me.

Check your front tire pressure. Lower air pressure can contribute to death wobble, though it makes for a more comfortable ride under smooth conditions.

Other than that, it's largely just getting under the truck and seeing what suspension component is worn out or loose. Track bar is a potential culprit, but not the only possibility.

 

[LAC]

when it first started doing the great shake down, I immediately bought 4 new tires. that helped for about 6 months to almost a year. now the shake down has returned. I have had a couple different people look under it even ended up replacing front driveline. I will have another look under there or I should say have a mechanic take another peak, thanks for your suggestions.

 

[huntergreen]

when it first started doing the great shake down, I immediately bought 4 new tires. that helped for about 6 months to almost a year. now the shake down has returned. I have had a couple different people look under it even ended up replacing front driveline. I will have another look under there or I should say have a mechanic take another peak, thanks for your suggestions.

Jeep wranglers have dealt with death wobble for a long time. I would find a local Jeep club and talk to some folks. You get some advice on which components to check and possibly the name of a front end end shop known to deal with death wobble.