"Death Wobble" in '67 a-body - think it is FIXED!
#2491150
05/02/18 10:38 PM
05/02/18 10:38 PM
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Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,344 Cincinnati, OH
6T6Cuda
OP
top fuel
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OP
top fuel
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,344
Cincinnati, OH
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I have a completely rebuilt '67 barracuda. Ever since I put it together it always had an odd shimmy in the front end. It was never that bad, just something that I could never figure out. It would come and go randomly.
The car is "completely new", full rotisserie restoration, almost every part touched.
Setup: 1. manual steering, I installed and setup myself the 20:1 quick ratio gear box. 2. All new Moog (US) front end components 3. '73 (used, but restored) front disk brakes (and the 10.5" rear drums for big bolt pattern on the back). 4. Alignment done by me with a fasttracks unit. Aligned for maximum caster, I can't remember where I set the camber (1 deg?), and the toe at 1/16 (I think). 5. new rubber LCA bushing, Moog Rubber "problem solver" rubber bushings in the UCA (2x in each in opposing directions)
Car drives straight, but does have a lot of slop in the steering wheel (at least from 11 o'clock to 1 o'clock). Overall it handles well.
Sometimes if feels like the front end is moving to the right and left a little bit in some set frequency, moving faster you can "push through it" and then it stabilizes out.
I drove the car today, and it appeared a little worse, but it has been a while from the last time I drove it, so I don't know.
Anyway, I hit a large pot hole on the right side and it entered into what can best be described as the "death wobble" I see on the Jeeps, a violent back an forth on the steering wheel, but still tracked straight.
------- This is what found and it drives MUCH better!
Well I think I found out what it was... Should have been the first thing I should have checked!!!
The wheels were toed OUT, only slightly but but about a 1/16-1/8.
I toed them back in and it is MUCH better, need to get a real alignment now!
The steering box was definitely loose, which was a factor, or maybe a symptom, and it might never have been completely tight.
Pulled over, checked that everything was tight, tie rods are tight, upper lower ball joints appear tight (still on cotter pins), UCA bolts, LCA bolt, etc. Steering box appears tight to k-frame.
Everything in the suspension appears tight; limped it home, with no major issues, just some occasional left right osculation in the front end.
Any thought of what to look for?
Last edited by 6T6Cuda; 07/28/18 04:45 PM.
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Re: "Death Wobble" in '67 a-body
[Re: 6T6Cuda]
#2491191
05/02/18 11:36 PM
05/02/18 11:36 PM
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Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 10,218 Someplace you aren't
SomeCarGuy
I Live Here
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I Live Here
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 10,218
Someplace you aren't
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Check the tubes in k bar for broken welds. I’ve had those on cars I’ve redone. Fixed before driving, so no idea if it would cause your issue.
What is going on with box? You rebuilt it and it isn’t tighter than that? Adjustment maybe? Problem with coupler?
I want my fair share
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Re: "Death Wobble" in '67 a-body
[Re: ahy]
#2491193
05/02/18 11:40 PM
05/02/18 11:40 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,674 Buford, GA
I_bleed_MOPAR
master
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master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,674
Buford, GA
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Might be hard to do on the ground (ramps? or if you have access to a lift) but you might have someone "wiggle" the wheel between the 11 and 1 you mentioned and see if the linkage is moving up and down. If not, I would tighten the box up some.
Tim
'71 Charger 383/727 '17 Challenger SXT (Wifeys car )
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Re: "Death Wobble" in '67 a-body
[Re: I_bleed_MOPAR]
#2491239
05/03/18 12:49 AM
05/03/18 12:49 AM
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 36,041 Lincoln Nebraska
RapidRobert
Circle Track
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Circle Track
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 36,041
Lincoln Nebraska
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As said, checkout/correct the box first (start with the coupler/shoes). then a good visual/checkout elsewhere since as you know something is loose/misadjusted/bad. Holler how it turns out/what it was.
live every 24 hour block of time like it's your last day on earth
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Re: "Death Wobble" in '67 a-body
[Re: 6T6Cuda]
#2491308
05/03/18 07:49 AM
05/03/18 07:49 AM
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Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 5,886 ohio
ruderunner
master
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master
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 5,886
ohio
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I'd like a better description of the wheels and tires as well as balance method.
Don't overlook the rear suspension
Angry white pureblood male
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Re: "Death Wobble" in '67 a-body
[Re: 6T6Cuda]
#2491403
05/03/18 12:11 PM
05/03/18 12:11 PM
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Joined: May 2017
Posts: 1,269 Denver, CO
BigBlockGTS
pro stock
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pro stock
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 1,269
Denver, CO
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I have dealt with this on 4 wheel drives that had otherwise good suspension- bushings, tie rods, etc. The oscilating you describe, particularly after hitting a pot hole on one side is exactly what one of my trucks would do and you are correct- there is no driving through it.
Check the tightness of the wheel bearings- I know it sounds different or weird but I had just rebuilt my front end, just like you, and sometimes with all that fresh grease etc., you need to go back and retighten. I have a tendency from my drag racing days to set stuff up too loose.
I did that and the truck was perfect.
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Re: "Death Wobble" in '67 a-body
[Re: Paul_Fancsali]
#2491587
05/03/18 05:04 PM
05/03/18 05:04 PM
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Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,368 Wheatfield, NY
Cuda340
top fuel
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top fuel
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,368
Wheatfield, NY
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Try adjusting the centering valve in the steering box that did wonder for my old Plymouth with a ton of free play now minimal Follow the procedure in the FSM.
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Re: "Death Wobble" in '67 a-body
[Re: 6T6Cuda]
#2491616
05/03/18 06:08 PM
05/03/18 06:08 PM
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 4,866 North of Detroit
HemiDart68
master
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master
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 4,866
North of Detroit
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My hemi dart would go into the death wobble sometimes. couldn't figure it out at first. nothing damaged, went on alignment rack a few times.
I couldn't figure it out until it happened really bad, then when pulling into the driveway my oil pan scraped the ground where it never had before. the front end was riding lower. if you watch a drag car do a big wheel stand, when it comes down hard the front end shakes for second before the suspension recovers and lifts the car. in my case the torsion bars were weak and wouldn't lift the car out of it. If I hit a bump or on hard deceleration it would go into the shake.
This goes against normal thinking as it is a scary situation, but if it happens again hit the gas for a second and see if it lifts out of the shake. might want to check your ride height, and that your torsion bars still have enough spring in them to snap the car back up to its proper ride height.
might be a different issue in your case, but that is what I was up against.
In God we trust, all others pay cash.
www.lightnens.com (Home of the world's fastest Paint Job)
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