1989 K5 - Questions Regarding Death Wobble
 

Hey guys I'm trying to get to the bottom of why my 89 k5 has severe death wobble after 35+ mph. It's got 39.5x13.5x15 Super Swampers on it, and is on the stock Chevy 10 bolt with 3:73's. I've replaced the wheel bearings now, trying to see if that would solve it. Now I'm left to only Ball Joints and Tie rod ends as the option. But, the ball joints have no play in them, absolutely none, and don't seem severely worn out. The tie rod ends are gonna be my next step anyway, but I want to avoid ball joints as much as I can.

So I guess my main question is, could the wobble possibly come from having a worn out factory steering dampener? Another thing that beats me, is the vibration is only on the Passenger Front. Both sides are in the same condition. I've also rotated tires to see if that was it. Still continued in that one position.

Sorry if my description is vague but I just want to know if I replace steering dampener and Tie Rod ends, that the problem will end. Anyone else experienced the same issue?

been there with my 38 swampers. if you only have the single steering dampener get rid of it and get a dual shock stabilizer. i used to have death wobble so bad i couldnt even drive the truck, the dual dampener fixed the problem about 65%.

also check all your suspension parts which you said you did if everything is tight get your tires balanced, my front two tires took 2lbs of weight. which is funny cause they were the best of the 4 tires.

finding a place to get them big tires balanced might be kinda difficult though. a lot of people put bb's in their tires or other self balancing methods to fix death wobble.

but after the dual shock steering stabilizer and balancing the front tires the truck was like new... though it did start to shake a bit at 70 but i never really went that fast

Awesome, really appreciate it! After doing more research that's kinda what I determined is that the stabilizer needs to be revamped. I've got a set of rough country GM Dual Steering Stabilizers on the way now and after that I'll try some balancing beads and see if that does the trick. Yea mine is undriveable too at the moment and actually died going down a steep hill because the death wobble popped the battery cable loose aswell as killed the engine so it took some muscling and pants-****ting to get to the bottom.

On any note, thank you again for the reply

lol yeah, mine shook so bad between 25-35mph the body slammed up and down on the frame due to rotted out body mounts.

the dual shock stabilizer, doesnt necessarily FIX the problem it kinda just helps dampen it but it made it so i could at least drive the truck

Well I installed the dampeners last night and that seems to have fixed the problem. It certainly helped, it tried to do it once but never got violent like it did before and I was running about 60mph so ill do some more driving on it here soon and see how it does. Thanks for your help!

death wobble
 

My problem was a dent in one of my steering stabilizers. they were fighting each other. I took the dented one off and problem solved.