Front axle bearings are bad???

[VEfreak]

Hey guys, got a little problem on my daily driver that kinda surprised/scared me since she's been so reliable. I was driving home, going engine breaking at about 35mph downhill in second gear, and then all of a sudden my truck started shaking pretty violently. I slowed till it went away and then finished driving it(about another 5 mins) home. My friend mentioned it could be the front axle bearings, since his jeep did the same thing and that was the diagnosed problem(he never got it fixed since he lost his license). What do you guys think?

[nooblet]

Kingpins would be my 1st guess. Wheel bearings will usually make noises, but they won't usually make your truck shake like that, they will cause it to pull to one side usually.

Your friends Jeep probably has those unit-bearings, or uni-bearings, or whatever they are called that are prone to failing.

Chris

[Jeep-hauler]

Kingpins would be my 1st guess. Wheel bearings will usually make noises, but they won't usually make your truck shake like that, they will cause it to pull to one side usually.

Your friends Jeep probably has those unit-bearings, or uni-bearings, or whatever they are called that are prone to failing.

Chris

Jeeps are known for "death wobble" with loose/worn front-ends.

But like you said, check the kings pins. Also inspect your tie-rod ends on the tie-rod and draglink for excessive play.

[Richie O]

I had the death shakes too. Mine was bad tierod ends. It seems that any front end slop will cause the same shakes. Mine was scary bad when it did its thing.

[VEfreak]

thanks guys, i'll jack up my truck tomorrow and check those things out when i service the axles, engine and tranny.