2011 68k miles recently purchased, could this be the culprit? Of the shake and shimmy?

[Cowpoke]

I know part of the issue is the suspension needs to be rebuilt but could this be the main culprit when making a left hand turn. I feel crazy wheel shake and the urge to push or jump left. Old Suspension or bushing on sway bar? Or both? Is that the sway bar even? Need help.

 

[CoronaRaptor]

Yeah, those are your sway bar end links, but, I doubt that will cause the issue. Could be ball joints though, I'm no expert though. Jack up under the lower control arm enough that the tire is off the ground, then give it a good pull back ad forth on the top and bottom of the tire and see if you have any "play"

 

[Cowpoke]

Yeah, those are your sway bar end links, but, I doubt that will cause the issue. Could be ball joints though, I'm no expert though. Jack up under the lower control arm enough that the tire is off the ground, then give it a good pull back ad forth on the top and bottom of the tire and see if you have any "play"

Thanks! Fingers crossed for not the ball joints.

 

[Cowpoke]

Yeah, those are your sway bar end links, but, I doubt that will cause the issue. Could be ball joints though, I'm no expert though. Jack up under the lower control arm enough that the tire is off the ground, then give it a good pull back ad forth on the top and bottom of the tire and see if you have any "play"

Any suggestions on replacement? OEM or aftermarket? Any heavy duty versions etc?

 

[BlueOvalF22]

1. Remove the entire sway bar.

2. Get a upper control arms.

3. Have the shocks rebuilt.

My truck had 160k on it, sway bar removed. Changing the upper control arms and replacing the shocks fixed it.

Lower balls and tie rods were tight.

Blown shocks and a loose UCA probably..

 

[BenBB]

Symptoms sound almost like 4wd engaging or alignment way out of whack??

I agree with @BlueOvalF22, sway bar is really easy to test, unbolt both sides at the LCA and zip tie it up and see if problem persists (or remove entirely).

Balljoints also easy to check, for uppers jack one side up and push/pull top of tire like @CoronaRaptor said. While it’s up check tie rod play by doing the same at front/rear of tire. For lowers raise it just off the ground and use a prybar in front of the tire; in all cases you should feel no play at all.

Looks like front shocks are already at mid perch, nice. Good luck!

 

[GCATX]

If the sway bar links look damaged, replace them, they are cheap and easy. The jumping around turning left sounds like tie rod ends or steering links to me. I doubt you will have control arm issues with mileage that low unless the truck was abused. You can check the steering links by having someone saw the steering wheel back and forth while you lay on on the ground and look at the steering parts.

 

[B E N]

Don't guess and throw the parts shotgun at it, that's a waste of money and can only lead to a lighter wallet and frustration with the truck. Diagnosing your problem over the internet with some pictures and a brief description is just guessing... do it properly.

Jack up one corner, try to rock the wheel side to side, listen for any clunking, can you get any travel? Try to rock the wheel up and down, same diagnostics. Jack up the other corner, repeat. Report back with findings.

Based on your post this sounds like wheel bearings or tie rods to me, but testing is necessary.

 

[The Car Stereo Company]

Don't guess and throw the parts shotgun at it, that's a waste of money and can only lead to a lighter wallet and frustration with the truck. Diagnosing your problem over the internet with some pictures and a brief description is just guessing... do it properly.

Jack up one corner, try to rock the wheel side to side, listen for any clunking, can you get any travel? Try to rock the wheel up and down, same diagnostics. Jack up the other corner, repeat. Report back with findings.

Based on your post this sounds like wheel bearings or tie rods to me, but testing is necessary.

this just sounds so familiar.........

take @B E N s advice. he knows. i speak from first hand experience. he helped me with my truck.

 

[Cowpoke]

Symptoms sound almost like 4wd engaging or alignment way out of whack??

I agree with @BlueOvalF22, sway bar is really easy to test, unbolt both sides at the LCA and zip tie it up and see if problem persists (or remove entirely).

Balljoints also easy to check, for uppers jack one side up and push/pull top of tire like @CoronaRaptor said. While it’s up check tie rod play by doing the same at front/rear of tire. For lowers raise it just off the ground and use a prybar in front of the tire; in all cases you should feel no play at all.

Looks like front shocks are already at mid perch, nice. Good luck!

I’m afraid it’s a bigger fix than alignment. I’m glad I can check 4wd off the list. But I better get to work on the rest of your suggestions. Thanks for the input! How can you tell its mid perch?