65+ MPH rear wobbles

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sparg93

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slipping - x2 on what bow tie said about the ubolts.

i hope this isn't it, but if for some reason your rear is walking b/c of loose ubolts, you are within a short distance of a major wreck.

Ubolts hold the axle to your springs in the rear...there are two ubolts on each side of your truck. They should be torqued to 80ft lb...if you don't have a torque wrench, grab the biggest wrench you have and tighten them as far as they will go.

I would also check the bolts that hold your springs in place. When you check, actually put a wrench on it and try to tighten it...most suspension bolts have fairly high torque loads on them, so simply checking with your hand may not find the problem.

Definitely keep asking questions, b/c if your rear is actually loose, it needs to get into a shop or a mechanic/weekend warrior underneath it immediately.

Of of the active guys on this forum actually had a ubolt loosen up while driving and his axle turned sideways...so something catastrophic if possible. (don't mean to frighten, but its better safe then sorry)
 
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slipping

slipping

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ok. ill grab a couple of torque wrenches from work today and check when i get home. i havent really driven it but the once yet (still trying yo smog and register) but i will torque up everything. thanks!
 

bowtiefreak

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I upgraded my bolts to a thicker diameter, different thread pattern, higher grade. Mine torque to something like 120-140 now. They are important!
 
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slipping

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Where would I go to get some upgraded ones? Change them now since I don't know how long these been on.

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ArcticYukon

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Mine is doing the same thing.... but it's only when I have my foot in it getting up to speed.... between 50-70 MPH if I tromp on it, it feels like I'm going to lose control of the rear end.... if I'm cruising at the same speeds, it's fine.
 

bowtiefreak

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I use michigan truck spring for them but a local driveline place could get them for you too
 
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slipping

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Ive gone under and torqued all the nuts to u bolts and body. Looked at shocks and the rubber from eyelet was sitting next to eyelet. So...Ordering new shocks today - bilstein 5100.

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purple 'hoe

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Of of the active guys on this forum actually had a ubolt loosen up while driving and his axle turned sideways...so something catastrophic if possible. (don't mean to frighten, but its better safe then sorry)

This actually happened to me with my Tahoe when I had it. U-bolts loosen up and the axle started to shift on me. Snapped my drive shaft off from the transfer case. Also, one of my centering pins broke in half during it. If I were the OP, I'd also check that my centering pins are in place and not twisted or broken.

Also, is your rear axle sitting in place correct? Is everything even between side to side. If one side is a bit further ahead than the other, that could give you wobbles, shakes and vibrations.
 
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slipping

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This actually happened to me with my Tahoe when I had it. U-bolts loosen up and the axle started to shift on me. Snapped my drive shaft off from the transfer case. Also, one of my centering pins broke in half during it. If I were the OP, I'd also check that my centering pins are in place and not twisted or broken.

Also, is your rear axle sitting in place correct? Is everything even between side to side. If one side is a bit further ahead than the other, that could give you wobbles, shakes and vibrations.

I ordered a nice set of bilstein 5100s so when I install them ill check everything and make sure its where it should be. Centering pins? What are and where are they located?

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purple 'hoe

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I'm not saying this is your issue, but sounds like the signs of it. Was your truck ever in a wreck at all? Maybe the p.o never torqued his u-bolts correctly. Still a lot of variables here as to what the issue is. Since your torqued your u-bolts, does it drive better?

A good idea would be to have someone ride behind you one day and see if all of your tires are not dog tracking. If they are, then my guess is centering pins

A centering pin is used to keep the leaf springs center on the axle. If one is twisted or tweeked, you will have a lot of issues (shaking, vibrations, pulling, dog tracking).

IMO, this is the only adjustments for alignment for our rear axles. If this get's tweeked, your alignment for the rear is off. Take a look at your rear tires, is one side further ahead than the other? Measure it up with a tape measure. Check and see if your wheel base is the same from side to side.

http://www.drivetrain.com/parts_cat...iser_series_40__42_leaf__springs__shocks.html

refer to figure 4. Also, this will help you some too
 

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