I didn't know what it was until pretty recently, but at times, my steering wheel would shake uncontrollably. I found this online to be known as Death Wobble. I have a 2006 Wrangler - completely stock.
In recent months, actually over the past year, i've done the following: Replaced all 4 shocks (all were bad-still had stock shocks), had 4 brand new firestone tires put on @ a firestone shop, new track bar installed, new steering stabilizer, tie rod ends, front end alignment.
I can visually see that the sway bar links (ends?) look worn, but in my research, i've found that these have little to do with the Death Wobble issue. Everything else i've looked at under my Jeep looks good. The trackbar doesn't move at all. I guess i'm just running out of things to check that could be causing this issue. I've research a lot about it online, and really can't find anything else. Everywhere i've looked, the things i've already done and replaced have fixed the issue for other people.
Thank you Sgt! It happens around 50mph or so - maybe closer to 55mph. I can try to accelerate through it, or I have to slow down to 35/40 to make it stop shaking. Usually caused by a big pothole or bumpy roads, but not 100% of the time. I'm just very careful and weary of when I am between 50 and 55. I know the wobble could pick-up at anytime.
If it is consistently happening between certain speeds get the tires balanced.
Do the dry steer as described in the above link.
Only way to stop a true death wobble is to stop the Jeep.
^2 when you have them balanced watch the tire for out of round. That is exactly what happened with me. Take it to a good shop, because the dealer i bought it from sent me to a shop i never worked with and they never noticed! I noticed it when i balanced them myself. The tire that was out of round would also take an insane amount of weight to balance.
A couple of times recently i've had to come to just about a complete stop - happened on the highway about 2 weeks ago. I read something about getting the tires "road force" balanced? Is there a big difference between that and a regular balance?
Yes, there is a big difference. A load/road force balance puts weight on the tire as its being balanced and helps to simulate the actual condition of the tire as its running down the road. The same machine should also be able to measure run out to see if you have a bent wheel.
Hopefully that shop doesn't come back with a big Christmas list of "replace it all" or something, though that may end up being the answer.
I have an appointment at a off-road shop tomorrow to drop my Jeep off. They reacted as soon as i mentioned "death wobble" which should be a good thing, i guess. Anyways, they have a death wobble checklist that they will be going through on my truck tomorrow morning. I'll post an update then. Hopefully I can get this fixed and help anyone else out that has this issue. It sure has been a PITA dealing with this.
It wouldn't hurt to rotate tires...it's quicker/easier than rebalancing.. if tires are a problem you'll notice pretty quickly from a rotation..
I'd check axle u joints & hub bearings.. I've had 2 Jeeps now that had a wobble.. I personally didn't think it was that bad to call a death wobble, but replacing hub bearings & u joints made the world of difference.. my recent Jeep was fine.. I lifted it.. threw on 33's.. I guess the extra load caused the u joints to start to fail and I got the wobble .. replaced u joints & hub back to new(ish)
Actually running into the exact same thing as OP. Except my wobble comes around 45-50 and that's it. It didn't start happening consistently until I had my tires rotated. Before the rotation it would only happen once every couple months and when I was driving on a specific road.
Not sure what to do, will probably call the shop to see if they can get the tires balanced.
Just picked up my Jeep from the shop. They road force balanced my tires and also torque-spec'd all of the front suspension. They did mention the track bar was not properly torqued, so we'll give it a day or 2 and see what we have going on.
They went through a Death Wobble checklist and noted the following that also is suggested to be done:
Front sway bar links, tie rod at pitman arm. Not sure how much of an effect those two items could have, but they advised they are pretty shot.
They did mention the track bar was not properly torqued, so we'll give it a day or 2 and see what we have going on.
They went through a Death Wobble checklist and noted the following that also is suggested to be done:
Front sway bar links, tie rod at pitman arm. Not sure how much of an effect those two items could have, but they advised they are pretty shot.
Still getting the wobble. Seems to act up on any huge hump or pothole in the road. It no longer has the small shimmy when around the 50 to 55 range, but these crappy roads in the Hampton Roads area of VA are still being a pita. Guess it's onto the tie rod and alignment next.
All the front parts have been torqued. Tie rod end at the pitman arm and sway bar links will be replaced as soon as they come in. We'll keep you posted. Thanks again to everyone for their input.
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