15 Power Wagon had the death wobble.

[LumberZach]

Hello everyone,

I don't post on here enough so I thought I'd share an update on my truck. It is a 2015 tradesman power wagon. I've had it for about a year and a half now and just crossed over 30k miles on it. Sadly, I developed the death wobble in it. It was fairly terrifying as I hit a bump on the highway going 65-70 when it first happened. I talked to the dealer and they sound like they have seen it before and have a plan to fix it.

Does anyone have any tips for me as I get it fixed? I've been googling around a bit, and it sounds like a lot of people can't identify 1 thing to blame it on.


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[olyelr]

Yea it can surely be tricky to pinpoint the exact cause in some cases. I would think with a nearly brand new truck it should be on the easier side.

Best of luck! Let us know what the culptit was once you find out.

[laramieskibum]

Tires
Track bar
Steering Components
Control Arms

Bil had it on his wagon. Tires and control arms solved it.

http://blog.carlisuspension.com/2016/03 ... obble.html

[Retired BLM Rig]

Thoroughly inspect and replace any worn steering or suspension components as listed above.
Finally, check your toe-in. It needs to be 1/16" toe-in.
IMHO, death wobble starts when toe is zero or out, due to mis-alignment or worn components.
I'm sure the dealer will get it taken care of for you.

[NickTF]

For what it's worth Thuren seams adamant about replacing the track bar if older
Than 20k miles. I've not experienced any DW in my 15' tradesman at 27000 though.

[LumberZach]

For what it's worth Thuren seams adamant about replacing the track bar if older
Than 20k miles. I've not experienced any DW in my 15' tradesman at 27000 though.

So I need to replace my track bar every 20,000 miles?

Thanks for the replies everyone, I will definitely post an update with what happens. So far I want to keep everything stock so there is no fight over warranty. I am about due for a new set of tires though, and I anticipate a new set helping in more area than one.


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[LumberZach]

So I need to replace my track bar every 20,000 miles?

Thanks for the replies everyone, I will definitely post an update with what happens. So far I want to keep everything stock so there is no fight over warranty. I am about due for a new set of tires though, and I anticipate a new set helping in more area than one.


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[NickTF]

So I need to replace my track bar every 20,000 miles?

https://www.thurenfabrication.com/produ ... k-bar.html

"With the release of the new platform, we've concluded that the OEM 2013+ trackbar can go about 20,000 miles, and function just fine, with our suspension components. The OEM 2013+ Track Bar has been upgraded from the previous 2003-2013 design, and is not "mandatory" to replace right away like before. That said, if near 20,000 miles, you are getting close to needing our trackbar as an upgrade."

It's a bit confusing to me, perhaps he means the OEM track bar can go 20,000 miles with new suspension product installation. Either way may want to check the track bar as a possible culprit. If you have your warranty and a competent dealer definitely see if they can figure things out before doing anything.

[TwinStick]

The reality of it:
A bunch of crappy parts w/crappy soft rubber bushings, that dryrot & wear out WAY too quickly. Trouble is that usually, no one part is so worn, that you can see it & say "yup, there's the problem right there." So, ultimately, it turns into a parts replacement fest, hoping you get it fixed.

What I did:
Based on everyones input, I took what I thought was a comprehensive approach. I have never had the death wobble & I never want to. Even one time can oval out bolt holes & such. The list of what it can be is long, sorry, but it is.

Tires
tire pressure *
tire balance *
alignment *
tie rod ends *
front axle u-joints *
upper & lower ball joints *
steering gearbox
no steering gearbox brace *
steering shaft *
control arms/bushings *
track bar/bushings *
shocks
unit bearings (wheel bearings)

The ones with the *, are what I replaced on mine. I have not had the death wobble yet. They were things that were gonna need replacing eventually anyways. I had to do all this with only 18k on it & under full warranty because the dealer would not fix it & maintained nothing was wrong & everything was within specs. I ordered this truck. I am the only owner. It has 43k on it now. I am still rocking the original tires (I switch to Cooper STT's on seperate rims in the winter).

So, you got a decision to make: Do you get pissed & get rid of the truck & take a major $$ beating $$ & end up with a different truck, with different problems ? Or do you like your truck enough to keep it & fix it with better than factory parts ? I liked my truck enough to fix it with better parts. Factory parts would leave me in the same spot, 18k later again.

Good luck. Hope yours is an easy fix.

[ramv]

On my second gen, I did all of the same replacements as listed above.

What I eventually found was running a little extra tow-in helped the most, and keep the steering box, linkage, ball joints and trackbar fresh (every 30k miles or so.) I also ran no steering stabilizer, as it never seemed to make much difference.

Eventually I swapped to Thuren's track bar, steering linkage, and bigger front axle/balljoints. The best solution was hydraulic assist, it 100% eliminated the death wobble. Obviously not a solution for everybody.

[LumberZach]

Thanks all. The dealer just got it today. It sounds pretty positive that they will replace some parts, but time will tell. The lists are very helpful and I appreciate them. I hate to go changing everything when I can have the warranty take care of it for a few more years.


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[TwinStick]

Start saving up now, cause you know it is a matter of when, not if, they are gonna need replacing again.

[LumberZach]

Good news, the dealer is going to replace the track bar, and a few other small parts. Though it is sounding more and more like I should get a set of 35" toyo's....


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[adeluca73]

Good news, the dealer is going to replace the track bar, and a few other small parts. Though it is sounding more and more like I should get a set of 35" toyo's....


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0R...

37's

[LumberZach]

Good news, the dealer is going to replace the track bar, and a few other small parts. Though it is sounding more and more like I should get a set of 35" toyo's....


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0R...

37's

I love your truck! I was looking at it in the other thread last night. So it is all stock suspension then? Also, tell me more about the snorkel. Did you put it in yourself?


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[adeluca73]

Good news, the dealer is going to replace the track bar, and a few other small parts. Though it is sounding more and more like I should get a set of 35" toyo's....


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0R...

37's

I love your truck! I was looking at it in the other thread last night. So it is all stock suspension then? Also, tell me more about the snorkel. Did you put it in yourself?


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Copy, thanks man. No lift other than the 1.5" front level. I had the AEV production facility in Michigan put on the RAI when I was at my folks place for X-mas. I'm not bold enough to take a hole saw to my truck, although it does look straight forward once the hole is properly aligned & cut.

[Reloaderguy]

Here are 37"s on a completely stock PW.

[adeluca73]

Here are 37"s on a completely stock PW.

Do you have that same shot with the new springs & shocks installed to compare before/after???

Love that color too!

[Reloaderguy]

[adeluca73]

That's just awesome. I need to do make those changes sooner than later.

[Wirebrush]

What wheels and tires are those? Do those wheels have more or less offset than the factory wheels? I'm trying to decide whether to go to 37x12.50r17s or 285/75r18s. I like narrower tires, and prefer the 285/75r18 size, but there's not much to chose from in that size.

[LagunaH1]

These two trucks look AWESOME!

Did either of you re-gear?

Edit: Sorry, haven't had enough coffee yet. I see in the mod list in the signature.