Death wobble + Doghead relay mod

[a175]

Yesterday, I survived the dreaded "death wobble". It was quick. It was freaky. Then it ended. Hope it doesn't happen again and at a higher speed.

On a positive note-
I just (as within the last 5 minutes) did the doghead relay mod. This is the first time in my entire life that I have attempted electrical work on some thing that I own and want to keep alive.
I knew that I had reached the point of no return as I snipped my first wire and thought "Wow...I better not mess this up. This is my ONLY vehicle."
Word of advice to anyone thinking of this, make sure you have the connectors/ring terminals (spade head terminals will work for the two smaller ones, everything worked with 10/12 gauge terminals) BEFORE you start. I got lucky, and my mom gave me a ride to Advance before they closed.
I am real proud of myself for not destroying my CUCV, and I am very VERY grateful to SteelSoldiers for providing this wealth of information. If your considering it, but are concerned about skill or confidence, don't worry. If I can do it, anyone can.
Thanks, fellas.
You guys are amazing.

 

[12vctd]

As far as your Death wobble, its not going to go away. It needs to be adressed it comes and hits at the worst times. I would inspect your front end componets very well get a friend to move your steering wheel with the truck off back and forth and check your tie rods and drag link, inspect your steering stabilizer for slop unbolt it and see how hard it is to push in. inspect your king pins ( my most common find for death wobble).

 

[ryan77]

What about balljoints they will make u feel like your driving drunk?

 

[12vctd]

the dana 60 in his m1008 has king pins no ball joints

 

[ryan77]

My bad, i was thinking of my ram 2500 with dana 60 it has ball joints i just changed them and the axle seals what a treat that was!!!!

 

[Madfarmersson]

Hey good job.
Every body has a first time, I just fixed a starter relay wire on my CUCV
about 10 minutes ago. luckily I live on a farm, so I have been messing with
electrical stuff for a few years. But still there is nothing more frustrating.

Good luck with the DEATH WOBBLE.

Madfarmersson.

 

[ranchhopper]

Get a set of king pin springs and nylon bushings its a 20 minute job to replace them and no more death wobble.

 

[12vctd]

I would suggest before buying anything you check all your parts, Ive seen tie rods cause death wobble. Unless you just want to rebuild the front then id do the king pins first

 

[ryan77]

The suspension parts are so cheap just rebuild the whole front end get a alignment and be done with it!!!!

 

[a175]

Holy Crap! So, my headlights were pretty dim and I just bought new ones. Installed. Cranked truck just fine, then all lights (speedo/fuel gauge lights, headlights, and blinkers) went away. When I crank, I see a faint glow from under the dash. There might be a "pop" when I crank. I think I even heard "pshhh" the last time I pulled the little headlight knob thingy also.
Help! I go to work in 6.5 hours.

 

[a175]

Doghead Mod + New Headlights = NO LIGHTS!!! Help! CUCV 911 needed!

Mods/admins.... sorry for the new thread, but I go to work in 6 hours and I'm in a bind. Hopefully somebody is still awake.

I did the doghead mod as per the sticky. I also installed new headlights. Truck cranked fine, then headlights and dash lights went out. Blinkers don't work, either. The only lights that come on are the initial little warning lights when key is in "on" position. There is a faint glow that I can see where the new relay is when I crank.

Please Help!

3372029856
Justin

 

[Warthog]

Check the headlight fuse. It could have been marginal and the new lights overloaded it.

This fuse is known to overheat and melt the socket.

 

[a175]

Indeed. 30 amp headlight fused melted like nacho cheese. I consider myself lucky, though...
The socket isn't dead (tested with blinker fuse), and I have a 24 hour WalMart here.
I'm amazed how much crap runs off that one fuse.

 

[a175]

Fuse, Headlight (Number 7 unmarked), 30 Ampere type, 1 EA.
This was the problem.

 

[Cucvnut]

ok please dont put 911 in the title. yes this needs to be fixed but your not on the side of the road and on fire.

 

[2deuce]

I have a 95 dodge and the headlights are a weak point with a melting headlight switch. If your connection in the fuse box gets corroded heat will be produced when current demand rises. The worse the connection becomes the more heat thats produced. The fuse often doesn't blow and your fusebox fries. If your seeing some signs of heat, I would keep a close eye on it.

 

[Cucvnut]

change your king pin springs that will fix your DW

 

[12vctd]

But if you want to see if its purely your king pins causing your issue just slip 2 fender washers under each king pin cap. drive the truck a few days and if its cured thats your problem. But I do advise you check out the entire steering system.

 

[onegmjack]

If the fuse box melts or become unusable, would be best to replace the whole thing, that is costly whole wiring harness,and time consuming.You can add a in line fuse to the wires going to that fuse,not my favorite way to repair but will work.

 

[a175]

ok please dont put 911 in the title. yes this needs to be fixed but your not on the side of the road and on fire.

Sorry, guys. Just freaked out for awhile. I was worried that I had really buggered something up to the point of it being pretty bad.

That one socket does have signs of a slight melt. I guess I'll be looking for a new fuse box.

Strange, it seems that my brake lights aren't lighting up now. Hoping that their just burnt out.