1990 W-250 severe wobble when turning?

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1990 W-250 severe wobble when turning?

Postby Ironforger » Thu May 08, 2014 9:59 am

Hey guys,

I've heard of the death wobble in the early 2nd gens, but is there a known issue for the 1st gen 4wd's? My truck recently started shaking, seems to be whenever I make a right turn when driving, for example an exit ramp off a highway. So far seems around 35 mph or so. Afraid to take turns at higher speeds! When it happens its bad! whole truck shaking madly. Stops once I slow down. WTF? what should I check for? UPon quick visual underneath I don't seen any issues jumping out at me. Seems to do it regardless of hubs locked in or out.

Scary man!


Thanks
FOR SALE --> 1990 W250 5sp reg cab. 21 mpg. Aprx 145k. (odo broke last year) Fuel screw. KDP killed. Solid floors, rockers & cab corners. Pm me.

FOR SALE --> 1995 Izuzu NPR 16ft Morgan body/side door. 160k. 80 k on reb auto trans. 1 ton lift gate. Pm me.

2002 3500 6 sp Qaud cab 2 wd. 202k <-- One badass truck!

1999 VW beetle tdi. PP520 injec. Rocketchip st. 3. 45 mpg. 260k
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Re: 1990 W-250 severe wobble when turning?

Postby RCCUMMINS89 » Thu May 08, 2014 10:46 am

Wheel bearings, King pins (trinion bearing), or tie rod ends is what I'd look at first.
89 RC on shortened 92 diesel frame - NV4500 w/dual disc/4.10s on 37s. - Self built pump, "hot screw", lots of timing, True high volume low pressure lift pump, 62fmw/68/.7gated, 77lpm SAC Inj., Studs/O-rings,- 423/1220 Mustang - 11/16/2013 http://www.TheHungryDiesel.com full line dealer, if you don't see it please ask.
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Re: 1990 W-250 severe wobble when turning?

Postby BILTIT » Thu May 08, 2014 10:48 am

It is a known issue on any solid axle front end.

Check axle u-joints, could be binding up when turning.
Check wheel bearings, jack up tires and try to wiggle the tire on the spindle.
Check kingpins for looseness, this one is a little tricky. Usually just recommend replacing the kingpin springs/bushings as a minimum or completely rebuilding the kingpins.

http://www.partsmike.com/index.php?crn= ... how_detail
http://www.partsmike.com/index.php?crn= ... how_detail

http://www.partsmike.com/index.php?crn= ... how_detail
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Re: 1990 W-250 severe wobble when turning?

Postby RCCUMMINS89 » Thu May 08, 2014 11:02 am

On a side note, does anyone know of a washer/shim to tighten the king pins up more. I've got one side that, even with brand new stuff, I have a little movement.
89 RC on shortened 92 diesel frame - NV4500 w/dual disc/4.10s on 37s. - Self built pump, "hot screw", lots of timing, True high volume low pressure lift pump, 62fmw/68/.7gated, 77lpm SAC Inj., Studs/O-rings,- 423/1220 Mustang - 11/16/2013 http://www.TheHungryDiesel.com full line dealer, if you don't see it please ask.
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Re: 1990 W-250 severe wobble when turning?

Postby CumminsPower59 » Thu May 08, 2014 11:46 am

RCCUMMINS89 wrote:On a side note, does anyone know of a washer/shim to tighten the king pins up more. I've got one side that, even with brand new stuff, I have a little movement.


I'd try a big ol washer on the cap side of things, might give it just enought :?:
Ike

91 W350 SRW, 3.07's, NV4500, 370's, THD LPPP, Super HX40, 2nd gen IC swap, BHAF, Isspro's, 2" lift, 285's on 3rd gen 17"'s.
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Re: 1990 W-250 severe wobble when turning?

Postby RCCUMMINS89 » Thu May 08, 2014 11:49 am

I'm running a steering block, and common sense is telling me that the internal "spacer" isn't machined correctly. Because, as soon as I put it on, it has always been loose (even after I rebuilt them). It is barely barely barely loose, but I can get it to move. The other side is tight as a drum.
89 RC on shortened 92 diesel frame - NV4500 w/dual disc/4.10s on 37s. - Self built pump, "hot screw", lots of timing, True high volume low pressure lift pump, 62fmw/68/.7gated, 77lpm SAC Inj., Studs/O-rings,- 423/1220 Mustang - 11/16/2013 http://www.TheHungryDiesel.com full line dealer, if you don't see it please ask.
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Re: 1990 W-250 severe wobble when turning?

Postby CumminsPower59 » Thu May 08, 2014 12:00 pm

Can you get a depth micrometer and measure the difference between a stock cap and the block?
Ike

91 W350 SRW, 3.07's, NV4500, 370's, THD LPPP, Super HX40, 2nd gen IC swap, BHAF, Isspro's, 2" lift, 285's on 3rd gen 17"'s.
04 VW Jetta Wagon TDI 5speed
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Re: 1990 W-250 severe wobble when turning?

Postby RCCUMMINS89 » Thu May 08, 2014 12:14 pm

It still utilizes the stock cap.... it just has a 3" spacer that spaces it all up, and then a 3" cylinder in the center to make up the difference as well.
89 RC on shortened 92 diesel frame - NV4500 w/dual disc/4.10s on 37s. - Self built pump, "hot screw", lots of timing, True high volume low pressure lift pump, 62fmw/68/.7gated, 77lpm SAC Inj., Studs/O-rings,- 423/1220 Mustang - 11/16/2013 http://www.TheHungryDiesel.com full line dealer, if you don't see it please ask.
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Re: 1990 W-250 severe wobble when turning?

Postby RCCUMMINS89 » Thu May 08, 2014 12:14 pm

Never mind I see what you're saying... I probably could, if I went out there and tore it apart.
89 RC on shortened 92 diesel frame - NV4500 w/dual disc/4.10s on 37s. - Self built pump, "hot screw", lots of timing, True high volume low pressure lift pump, 62fmw/68/.7gated, 77lpm SAC Inj., Studs/O-rings,- 423/1220 Mustang - 11/16/2013 http://www.TheHungryDiesel.com full line dealer, if you don't see it please ask.
RCCUMMINS89
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Re: 1990 W-250 severe wobble when turning?

Postby Ironforger » Thu May 08, 2014 12:48 pm

Thanks for the quick responses.

First, an update. I just drove it and whatever it is is not limited to turns. While driving straight It launches into a raging delirium tremens wobble if I hit a bump in the road.

Question: If the hubs are not locked, the u joints are not turning. This issue happens regarless of hub locked or not. So, how could it be the u joints if they are not turning when the hubs are set to "free"? Just pondering.


I'll get it up on jacks asap & follow the advice here to check bearings & king pins etc. Can't drive it. Parked it until I figure this out. Whatever is happening here came on suddenly. Truck is not a daily driver and was fine a few weeks ago.

Thanks!
FOR SALE --> 1990 W250 5sp reg cab. 21 mpg. Aprx 145k. (odo broke last year) Fuel screw. KDP killed. Solid floors, rockers & cab corners. Pm me.

FOR SALE --> 1995 Izuzu NPR 16ft Morgan body/side door. 160k. 80 k on reb auto trans. 1 ton lift gate. Pm me.

2002 3500 6 sp Qaud cab 2 wd. 202k <-- One badass truck!

1999 VW beetle tdi. PP520 injec. Rocketchip st. 3. 45 mpg. 260k
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Re: 1990 W-250 severe wobble when turning?

Postby matthewh » Thu May 08, 2014 2:43 pm

The front ujoints do still turn, really slowly. Even with the tcase in 2wd and the hubs unlock, just driving down the road they naturally spin.
My 93 would just randomly jolt to one side, and you'd have to fight to hold it straight, or as you turned, whether it was a sharp corner or long gradual curve you'd have alot of resistance then it just went. I was convinced it was the kingpins, turns out they were still the original ujoints from 93, just never properly greased. They got stiff and would catch at certain times
'93 W350 5spd Getrag, 4.10 gears, 83k miles and counting, Mods: LPPP AKA Ma Dually
'54 Dodge M37 6.2/700R4/205, 5.89 gears, WC rear axle
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Re: 1990 W-250 severe wobble when turning?

Postby Tacoclaw » Thu May 08, 2014 4:27 pm

When was the last time your entire front end was greased? Kingpins, u-joints, tierod/draglink, all the steering shaft stuff. We had a Mack truck and got the ujoints out of phase between the steering wheel and box. You'd have thought that thing was an old Dodge with a 8" lift and the stock steering arm. Completely uncontrollable.

Any unexpected input or binding before the steering box will make things go buck wild on the axle.
1990 W250 4x4
Rattles, growls, whistles, and whines.
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Re: 1990 W-250 severe wobble when turning?

Postby Ironforger » Tue May 13, 2014 7:04 am

Diagnosis:

Bad tire. Took a good look at it this past weekend. Couldnt find anything wrong with the suspension components. Everything seemed tight & free, nothing binding up. Truck is greased on a regular basis.

Upon close inspection noticed a bad drivers side tire. Tread separation / out of round. Fairly large lump/bubble. This wasnt obvious at first. Jacked it up & spun the tire & the lump became clear to see.

I put 2 new tires on the front & truck is good as new now.

Thanks for responses but no one nailed it. I guess we can never overlook our tires.
FOR SALE --> 1990 W250 5sp reg cab. 21 mpg. Aprx 145k. (odo broke last year) Fuel screw. KDP killed. Solid floors, rockers & cab corners. Pm me.

FOR SALE --> 1995 Izuzu NPR 16ft Morgan body/side door. 160k. 80 k on reb auto trans. 1 ton lift gate. Pm me.

2002 3500 6 sp Qaud cab 2 wd. 202k <-- One badass truck!

1999 VW beetle tdi. PP520 injec. Rocketchip st. 3. 45 mpg. 260k
Ironforger
fuel screw!!!!
 
Posts: 74
Joined: Tue Feb 26, 2008 9:09 pm
Location: Lawrenceville, NJ
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