Death Wobble - BIG TIME!

KJ-BOL · **Posted:** Thu Feb 07, 2008 8:52 pm

I've been having this issue for a while - it has gotten worse now
Any little pothole and I'm dancing side to side like crazy. Does not go away until almost a full stop.

Past history on my rig:

1. Broke Steering Stabilizer first time (Skyjacker) and replaced with a new one

2. on the trails, broke steering stabilizer bracket, had it welded back up again - obviously not in the same spot (just a tiddy bit to the left.)

3. Experienced more and more wobble after this

4. Broke Steering Stabilizer for a second time (Skyjacker) - replaced with my stock one this time - death wobble still there.

5. Bakerjk recommended balancing of tires which I have not done yet; also I'll have an alignment done. hopefully this will fix it, otherwise i'll have to replace all steering components and add:

* OME new steering stabilizer
* Adjustable trackbar
*** Money, $$$, Money, $$$
I'm i the process of installing an ARB front bumper and a Warn 9.5 ti winch which will add more weight to the front so I'm installing OME 2.5 lift

Any ideas....

Pics of the broken Stabilizer here

Fixed here

I took the jeep to a friends place and this is what I've been told....
Ball joints might have gone bad, also need to change tie rod and center links.
Could it be that the tie rod is actually bent? and that causes the wobble?

jason thompson · **Posted:** Thu Feb 07, 2008 9:20 pm

Call the guys at Searchers 4wd supply
they may be able to help
225-622-9200

SunDvl · **Posted:** Thu Feb 07, 2008 11:13 pm

crazy idea...

Take it all back to stock and don't wheel it. :twisted:

Nah, that really sucks Henry. Sorry to hear about your woes.

Diggerfreek · **Posted:** Thu Feb 07, 2008 11:17 pm

Thanks for cleaning up the mud to show us the damage

....hope you can get it fixed cheap

pipefactory · **Posted:** Fri Feb 08, 2008 9:03 am

KJ-BOL wrote:

I've been having this issue for a while - it has gotten worse now
Any little pothole and I'm dancing side to side like crazy. Does not go away until almost a full stop.

Past history on my rig:

1. Broke Steering Stabilizer first time (Skyjacker) and replaced with a new one

2. on the trails, broke steering stabilizer bracket, had it welded back up again - obviously not in the same spot (just a tiddy bit to the left.)

3. Experienced more and more wobble after this

4. Broke Steering Stabilizer for a second time (Skyjacker) - replaced with my stock one this time - death wobble still there.

5. Bakerjk recommended balancing of tires which I have not done yet; also I'll have an alignment done. hopefully this will fix it, otherwise i'll have to replace all steering components and add:

* OME new steering stabilizer
* Adjustable trackbar
*** Money, $$$, Money, $$$
I'm i the process of installing an ARB front bumper and a Warn 9.5 ti winch which will add more weight to the front so I'm installing OME 2.5 lift

Any ideas....

I took the jeep to a friends place and this is what I've been told....
Ball joints might have gone bad, also need to change tie rod and center links.
Could it be that the tie rod is actually bent? and that causes the wobble?

Do you have a differant back spacing on rims from original? This changes the scrub radious angle which is unajustable. The cure for that is heavier or dual stabilizer. Also the stabilizer only stops the tierod center link and not the spindals directly. So if you have loose tie rod ends, ball joints or even track bar that will make the front end shake and that may be causing the stabilizer bracket welds to break.
Hope that helps.

chefdab · **Posted:** Fri Feb 08, 2008 6:20 pm

As long as your steering stabilizer is functioning properly (not leaking oil), it will just mask the symptoms of death wobble not cure them. The problem is likely something else. I've read on other boards that a major cause of the death wobble is loose bolts on the track bar and drag link. Check those and torque to spec (not sure what it is though). Also, as was already mentioned, tire balance and alignment can play into it also. During my last trip off-road, I bent my tie rod throwing out the toe adjustment on the alignment. This caused the steering wheel to shimmy back and forth when going straight down the road. Finally got an alignment (Firestone Lifetime deal) and tire rotation last week and no more steering wheel shakes. Hope that helps.

JJsTJ · **Posted:** Fri Feb 08, 2008 7:02 pm

I agree on the loose trac-bar being a possibility. It is what messes w/ my XJ on occasion causing some wobble when it is loose.

darren/wayne · **Posted:** Sun Feb 10, 2008 1:23 am

I have an 05 TJ. After my 3" BDS lift and 33" tires mine acquired the death wobble. I have been trying for the last two years to figure it out. It is something to do with the steering geometry. When you lift the Jeep, the axles move in toward the center of the vehicle and rotates your pinions upward slightly. The more lift you have the more drastic these angles become.

Do a visual check on the caster of you front wheels. Check out this link for basic instructions: http://www.quadratec.com/jeep_knowledge ... cle-37.htm When I checked my caster, I noticed the "steering axis" of my jeep wound up somewhere "inside" the contact patch of my tire. It should be just in front of the contact patch of the tire.

Remember I said my lift was 3". MOST 3" kits do not come with lower control arms. If you check your lift's MFG.'s web page, find your kit and look for "highly recommended" additional parts. They may cost extra, but they are "highly recommended" for a reason. Most kits will say " see notes 1,2,3" Look for these notes they will tell you what else is needed or recommended. The 3" kits put your caster in a "gray" area. You may or may not have the death wobble problems. Tech guys at BDS said I should have bought the lower control arms with my kit because the stock ones on the 03 and later TJ's are week and this in conjunction with the caster will cause the dredded death wobble.

I tried the tire balancing, torquing the trac bar to 35#. Checked bushings etc...my jeep was brand new, there were no worn out parts yet.

As for you steering stabilizer breaking, With my after-market trac bar, I had to relocate the stabilizer shock mount. When I did so, I had to re-drill the mounting whole so the shock would not bottom out before the steering was at full lock. Something to check at least.

I hope this info is useful to you.
Wayne :wink:

darren/wayne · **Posted:** Sun Feb 10, 2008 1:34 am

Check out this photo also. It shows how the front end should look. For example, your trac bar and drag link should be parallel. Again ... steering geometry

http://www.4x4xplor.com/images/alignmen ... ment01.jpg

Wayne :wink:

chefdab · **Posted:** Wed Feb 13, 2008 1:36 pm

Did you figure out the problem yet?

KJ-BOL · **Posted:** Thu Feb 14, 2008 12:20 am

Ok....
I did some investigating down there
One bolt from Relocation bracket was loose - so i decided.... take relo bracket off and one problem solved..... nope
trackbar bolt hole on pass side not lining up for bolt to go thru.
So, first things first, I ordered a Full Traction adjustable trackbar - once this in on, I'll take tires for balancing and after that I'll get an alignment.
I'll post results later.... JK is been on the garage for more than a week - KJ is getting new miles in the odo....

Burchie · **Posted:** Thu Feb 14, 2008 12:49 pm

Cross rotate. Get those tires spinning the other direction. It will even out the wear. and balance them. Took care of my wobble.

Do the simple stuff 1st before throwing lots of $$ at it.

Burchie · **Posted:** Thu Feb 14, 2008 12:52 pm

And... When you have the alignment done, put a little negative toe in it.

KJ-BOL · **Posted:** Mon Feb 18, 2008 8:49 am

OK
Swapped Front Tracbar to Full Traction Adjustable Trackbar
What I found out....
The design on the Budget Boost Relocation bracket is not that great - the main bolt is probably the one holding it together but the two little bolts on both ends of the relocation bracket are the ones making trouble.

Before adj TB - 3/4 inches towards drivers side
After adj TB - 1/16inches towards drivers side. - could not get any closer
But since i made changes to it, yesterday my ESP went crazy - this morning ESP and BAS lights lit up.
Need to Balance tires and get a good alignment
After that will get a good beefier Stabilizer - OME probly.
Looks like this is solved...

KJ-BOL · **Posted:** Mon Feb 18, 2008 8:49 am

OK
Swapped Front Tracbar to Full Traction Adjustable Trackbar
What I found out....
The design on the Budget Boost Relocation bracket is not that great - the main bolt is probably the one holding it together but the two little bolts on both ends of the relocation bracket are the ones making trouble.

Before adj TB - 3/4 inches towards drivers side
After adj TB - 1/16inches towards drivers side. - could not get any closer
But since i made changes to it, yesterday my ESP went crazy - this morning ESP and BAS lights lit up.
Need to Balance tires and get a good alignment
After that will get a good beefier Stabilizer - OME probly.
Looks like this is solved...

Death Wobble - BIG TIME!

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