A few months ago I experienced death wobble in my 01 Cummins 4wd at 60 mph, and it was violent and scary. It was the very first time I've personally had it happen to me.

I know my shocks look like older OEM style shocks, so I just got in a new set of Bilstein 5100 shocks to put on it, and I got a new set of adjustable control arms so I can adjust them to get some positive caster in the front end. My ball joints were replaced by the previous owner who I got the truck from, and they still are tight with no play in them.

After I install the new shocks, control arms, new heater and evaporator cores, I'll get an alignment done on it.

Look for anything with looseness...

• Shocks - remove and check for gas charge and suppression. Weak shocks can allow the the axle to bounce.

• Tie Rod Ends - look for any loose tie rod ends.

• Ball joints - Check for vertical movement by prying upwards on a hanging tire.

• Tires - Any deformity? Properly balanced?

• Wheels - Are your wheels true and now bent or out of true?

• Steering shock - It helps, but it's not a cure-all fix, either like some websites mention. Some people omit this shock.

I just installed brand-new Bilstein 5100 shocks on all corners, and a new set of adjustable control arms.

There's no play in any of the newer ball joints.

I don't see any play in the crossover steering heim joints.

The tires are load range E that were on my nephew's brand-new 2024 Laramie Cummins with only 15k miles on it.

My next task will be getting it aligned for toe-in and caster adjustments.

Edited July 7Jul 7 by 01_Cummins_4x4

How does the track bar look. How are you testing the track bar or steering linkage?

• John

On 7/6/2025 at 9:16 PM, Tractorman said:

How does the track bar look. How are you testing the track bar or steering linkage?

• John

The adjustable track bar is brand-new also, as I installed it not very long ago.

I usually get a 2nd person to move the steering wheel back and forth for me so I can check for any free/excessive movement.

I've got an appointment with Les Schwab this coming Friday afternoon for an alignment.

6 hours ago, 01_Cummins_4x4 said:

I usually get a 2nd person to move the steering wheel back and forth for me so I can check for any free/excessive movement.

Same method that I use. I have the engine running as well to allow the power steering to put a maximum amount of force to the linkages.

Years ago, I set the caster to 4 1/2° positive. It was the best single steering performance improvement on my truck.

• John

I got my Dodge into Les Schwab because my friend works there doing alignments.

With the lower adjustable control arms set at 19.5" center to center, my caster is at 3.6° positive caster, my toe and camber were right on.

We did tighten up the bolts first that hold the adjustable track bar upper mount to the left frame rail. That was loose which caused my death wobble.

Assuming this repaired the problem? Could you mark your post with "Mark as Solution" this way other members can see your solution to the problem.

I would wait for him to drive the truck for at least a month plus a few hundred miles before I would consider it repaired. Many people who experienced death wobble have posted the repairs here on this site, only to experience the death wobble again weeks, or even months later.

• John