Steering shaking

[paulbrapp]

At highway speeds sometimes when I hit a bump the whole truch shakes including the steering wheel. It takes a couple of seconds to calm down. I have already done a search on this and I will go and have an alignment and balancing done on it today. The only thing that I am uncertain about is that it hasn't done this all winter long and now that it is getting warm it is happening again. Like it did at the end of last summer. I know I should have done something then but it stopped.

Maybe with my explanation someone could possible point me to the exact problem.

Thanks in advance

 

[ptschram]

It's called Death Wobble and is most often caused by poor swivel pin bearing preload. That said, there will be many suggestions to replace the steering stabilizer, balance tires, replace all the bushings on the truck, etc. But, after all of those things are done, it is almost always swivel pin bearing preload, but everyone is scared of it as it seems intimidating, but it is almost always the cause of death wobbles.

PT

 

[trailhogg]

there is no alignment to do on disco's, only toe in/out, doesnt sound like the problem anyway

if a tire/wheel were out of balance it would shake all the time, like mine did

 

[bleizit]

and your vehicle is... mileage...
Did you do a visual inspection on the steering stabilizer, tie rods and linkage?

 

[p m]

Your first stop on this way is to check the panhard rod bushings. Then move on to checking the steering box play and adjusting if needed, and then - on to swivel pin bearing preload.

Just like Paul said - steering damper won't matter if everything else in good order.

 

[paulbrapp]

Sorry its a 97 D1 128k

I had taken off work today to get under it and take a good look at it but of course it is pooring outside. Thanks for the suggestions! I will get back to you guys in a couple of days with my findings