Front wheel Chatter or Wobble after hitting a dip in the road ??
 

I have a bad Chatter or Wobble when I hit a dip or rough spot in the road, the car a 1934 Ford 4 dr sedan, has to come almost to a complete stop before it settles down ,what is the cause , what is worn and how do I fix this terrible chatter , thanks guys :)

Re: Front wheel Chatter or Wobble after hitting a dip in the road ??
 

The best suggestion is to go to the sister web site Jalopy Journal sign in and then do search of the topic "Death wobble" and read all posts on this issue. After reading all then re look at your car to determine if you have any issues that might effect the alignment. Simplest first areas to look at is loose or worn steering parts, then uneven air pressure in the tires. Then shock absorber condition.

Re: Front wheel Chatter or Wobble after hitting a dip in the road ??
 

Check for a bent rim also.

Re: Front wheel Chatter or Wobble after hitting a dip in the road ??
 

First thing I would check is the toe out/in of the front wheels.
you should be able to do a search here for best way to check the toe.











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Re: Front wheel Chatter or Wobble after hitting a dip in the road ??
 

Check the perch bolts and the caster ,and as above alignment.

Re: Front wheel Chatter or Wobble after hitting a dip in the road ??
 

I'm with Dick (earlier post)... go read that thread as he advised and make yourself familiar with all of the things it can be.
Then, one by one, eliminate each.
There are many variables that may be causing your issue.

Re: Front wheel Chatter or Wobble after hitting a dip in the road ??
 

If your toe in is correct, tyres are good (kiwi spelling!), kingpins and shackles etc are all good, and you have run out of ideas, most V8 parts vendors sell a steering damper which is just a bolt-on and which will fix the problem. However, if your front-end is in good condition and well set up, there should really be no need for one of these. It's a last resort item.

Re: Front wheel Chatter or Wobble after hitting a dip in the road ??
 

You could also check here on the Model A section its something that does happen on Model As frequently .

Re: Front wheel Chatter or Wobble after hitting a dip in the road ??
 

If you check out your front end I am sure you will find sloppy worn parts, replace as necessary and have it aligned. Gary

Re: Front wheel Chatter or Wobble after hitting a dip in the road ??
 

What the heck was the dip doing in the middle of the road in the first place?? Was he drunk? LOL

Re: Front wheel Chatter or Wobble after hitting a dip in the road ??
 

Tie rods ends to check for adjustment is another area for consideration.
Phil
NZ

Re: Front wheel Chatter or Wobble after hitting a dip in the road ??
 

Jack up the front end and check every component for looseness.

Re: Front wheel Chatter or Wobble after hitting a dip in the road ??
 

Many Thanks ;to all you guys who have given me what to look for in my problems with the "front wheel Chatter" or as Dick says "Death Wobble" looks like I have a few hours of work on the 34 Ford, cheers... R.:)

Re: Front wheel Chatter or Wobble after hitting a dip in the road ??
 

I get it occasionally on my roadster at very low speed. I either slow to an almost stop or if the road allows accelerate out of it.

Re: Front wheel Chatter or Wobble after hitting a dip in the road ??
 

While eating my breakfast I read you first post and all the replys trying to find out what year car your talking about, finally at the bottom of the page you come up with it, 34 Ford. I think you'll find those spring loaded tie rod ends are not tightened up enough. I tighten the ends right up and then back off about one turn. I had that same problem when I built my Model A 10yr's ago, first test run with all new parts, king pins ect. I tightened up tie rod and drag link ends never had that death wobble again. Walt

Re: Front wheel Chatter or Wobble after hitting a dip in the road ??
 

Try what Walt is suggesting with the tie rod ends. It worked for me! :)

Pat

Re: Front wheel Chatter or Wobble after hitting a dip in the road ??
 

I'll give that a go too, I always tend to set them as light as I can so they wear the balls less.

Mart.