Death wobble on the FWY
- Thread starter CVELD77
- Start date
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Check swaybar links and swaybar bushings. Make sure all is connected. If those are loose then you'll feel like you're all over the road at 70 mph
I've never noticed that myself.
I don't agree with this at all.
My swaybar and links are currently removed and I have no wobbling at 70mph.
Anyway, check all your front-end suspension components + tire/wheel balance as someone else said.
Alignment wouldn't hurt either.
Tyler James Inc
Senior Member
With your rig on the ground, engine off, key on ACC to unlock steering:
Move your steering wheel back and forth 1/4 turn or so. Watch your steering rack/bushings, and inner and outer tie rods for excessive movement. They should all have virtually NO play. Tie rods should have zero play, and rack bushings can have slight play.
From my experience, these parts being worn won't CAUSE wobble, but they'll sure let you know it's there.
Move your steering wheel back and forth 1/4 turn or so. Watch your steering rack/bushings, and inner and outer tie rods for excessive movement. They should all have virtually NO play. Tie rods should have zero play, and rack bushings can have slight play.
From my experience, these parts being worn won't CAUSE wobble, but they'll sure let you know it's there.
I know some people get used to it, and they run that way at all times, but when I bought my 4Runner it felt borderline unsafe at 75+ and any kind of crosswind or road lean - add swaybar links and it's rock solid.
It's a pretty hard argument to make that removing the sway bar won't cause differences in handling at extremes of inertia like cornering or high speed.
Shocks and springs also will have an impact, but swaybars are there to prevent things like...sway.
Not saying that's for sure his problem - but it was mine, and a quick and easy solution. I can always disconnect them on the trail, but I hit 80 MPH every day...
JayRolla
New member
You are right. But sway bars wont cause a "wobble". The wobble is a feeling you get from the front end through the steering wheel. You can wobble with full control just very annoying.
Most major wobble issues are unbalanced tires. Usually from offroading and tearing the weights off. Or at least thats been my issue in the past when they install the crappy weights on the edge or wheel.
Tyler James Inc
Senior Member
I agree it's likely a tire balance issue. Like I said, components being worn out will make the wobble more exciting, but won't cause the wobble. This is, of course, my experience.
flyfishinguy
New member
just had the same issue. was on a 2200 mile round trip and 800 miles in my tires were jumping all over the place. probably lost a weight or ten over time. had them rebalanced and was a million times better. mine were really bad do to them being iroks. i would definitely start there.
If your steering wheel is moving from side to side while driving then you have a separated tire...with exception if you have a rear separated tire then you would feel a slight hop from the rear end...
Unbalanced or misbalanced tires will feel a lot different than a separated tire but may have the same symptoms...ie more "road" noise, but less of a hoping sensation and more vibration
bad tie rods, out of toe, will cause you to fight the steering constantly
ball joints can do the same but depends upon other parts (tie rods)
sway bar links really only affect your steering angle/chassis roll so that would not matter with what is being felt
Unbalanced or misbalanced tires will feel a lot different than a separated tire but may have the same symptoms...ie more "road" noise, but less of a hoping sensation and more vibration
bad tie rods, out of toe, will cause you to fight the steering constantly
ball joints can do the same but depends upon other parts (tie rods)
sway bar links really only affect your steering angle/chassis roll so that would not matter with what is being felt
