4wd front end

[86c20]

ok i have my first 4x4 its a k30 85 it has king pins i think?? anyway i get a bad shake some times when breaking hard will through the truck all over the place. she will do it some times at low speed 30 mph and not allways under hard breaking either. front end seems tight for the most part but it is getting bad. i read some where about a king pin death shake??? i dont know if that is what is going on or if it is a wheel bearing going. i just need to fix it but dont know where to start.
thanks guys, mike

[bilfman]

Is this on pavement or gravel. Or on both? Is it in 4wd or out. Hubs locked or not?

This can happen with different sized tires if in 4wd. Can also happen on dry pavement with 4wd engaged because of the front and rear not having enough slippage.

[BigBlocksRule]

Check out your regular steering items first...that's exactly what a 2WD truck with a bad Pitman or idler arm will do...

[Greenlee]

I have read the same thing about the Dana 60 king pins and suspect that is your problem. Take a look at the coloradok5 forums. I have seen threads about rebuilding them over there and there is generally better 4x4 information on that forum. You also might want to post your question in the 4x4 section here.
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[86c20]

thanks guys. it does it in 2wd on pavment and dirt with hubs unlocked. i have check every thing in the front end and it all seems tight but will check again. thanks, mike

[Keith Seymore]

Could also be warped brake rotors.

I'd check (or replace) them first, since that's fairly common.

K

[86 K-10]

mine used to do the exact same thing. i replaced my ball joints, entire idler arm, and tie rod ends...hasnt done it again, and drives a ton better

[86454k30]

Some K30s develop "death wobble" as they get older. You don't have to hit the brakes for it to shake, a small bump will get it to do it. Larger tires and wheels amplify this problem greatly. As these trucks are getting older the spring at the top of the knuckle get weak and cause this wobble. The quick fix is to purchase new upper nylon bushings and springs. This will fix the death wobble.

You can get the part from anyone who sells genuine spicer parts or Yukon gear makes a kit.

[86454k30]

oh...one more thing...normally you can't check to see if they are worn out by rocking the tire like you can with a ball joint front axle. The yukon kits run about $75.00 per side from Sky Manufacturing.