Power Wagon Registry

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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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.

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

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.

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.

NickTF wrote: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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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 wrote: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.

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.

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.

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

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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LumberZach wrote: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

adeluca73 wrote:

LumberZach wrote: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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LumberZach wrote:

adeluca73 wrote:

LumberZach wrote: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.

Here are 37"s on a completely stock PW.

Reloaderguy wrote: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 wrote:

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

Reloaderguy wrote:

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.

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.