What Causes Death Wobble in Semi Truck?

Death wobble, or sometimes referred to as the ‘shimmy’, is a phenomenon that occurs in semi trucks. In this phenomenon, the truck begins to shake violently, causing the driver to become alarmed and have difficulty controlling the vehicle.

Though death wobble can be caused by several different factors, it is most commonly caused by an unbalanced and misaligned front suspension or improper tire pressure.

The suspension of a semi-truck is critical for ensuring a smooth ride. Heavy loads place immense strain on the front axle and tires of a semi-truck and can cause them to become misaligned or unbalanced over time.

This misalignment causes the truck to vibrate more than usual when driving at higher speeds, resulting in death wobble.

Another common cause of death wobble is improper tire pressure. When tires are not inflated properly, they will not be able to absorb shock from bumps in the road as effectively as they should. This can lead to increased vibrations from the tires, which can then cause death wobble if left unchecked for too long.

In conclusion, death wobble in semi trucks is most commonly caused by an unbalanced and misaligned front suspension or improper tire pressure. It is critical for drivers to regularly check their suspension and tire pressure in order to avoid this potentially dangerous condition.

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Susan Delgado