Death Wobble

Loren in Iowa · Sep 19, 2019

Took my 1941 "A" John Deere on a tractor ride, the other day, and several times, after hitting a bump, the Schwartz wide front developed a "death wobble" to the point that I had to slow way down until it subsided. It has Behlen power steering, and the steering wheel never jumped during any of the wobbles. Didn't find play in any of front end components. Steering reservoir has plenty fluid. Have put on a lot of miles, and it's always worked smoothly. Anybody have any experience with this?

Billy Shafer · Sep 19, 2019

We had an old IH on the farm that would do it. The M211 Army truck had a very bad problem with it. You learned to drive it. With your fingers on the outside of the steering wheel ring.

Janicholson · Sep 19, 2019

There is play in some component. With the engine off, look at the steering shaft between the PS unit, and the front gear box. Turn the steering wheel back and forth and look for any rotation before the wheels move. Even a few degrees will make a problem. Look at the bearing where the center pivot is located. The steering shaft lower bearing must be tight. The tierod engs can have no play. (you will need a helper to assess the smallest looseness. The spindles and uprights are also suspect. With one wheel jacked up, be rough with the wheel/tire and watch the bottom ov the upright, where the spindle turns outward for looseness. And finally, check toe in. While the tire is off the ground, use a nail in a board to scribe a single line on the rib or the tire. do the same on the other tire. Drive forward against a 2X4 so there is just small pressure on both tires at the same time. now measure between the score marks on the very front of the tire (1/2 way up) and the back of the tire, (half way up) the front should read 1/8 to 3/16 smaller than the back. Jim

John B. · Sep 19, 2019

I had worn tri-rib tires on an IH 674 when I bought it years ago. They wobbled fiercely when driving on the roads. I put 4 rib tires on the front and that took care of the wobble problem. There's very little steering linkage on a 674 and I didn't see any looseness at the power steering cylinder or tie rod ends. But like in the other post check your toe-in. Also check any bolts holding the axle to the frame.

Leroy · Sep 19, 2019

Check the bearings in both top and botton of the front pedistal. Those bearings and gear at top are where most get there wabble.

Death Wobble

Loren in Iowa

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Billy Shafer

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Janicholson

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John B.

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Leroy

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