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Death Wobble

3K views 4 replies 5 participants last post by  wndrlst 
#1 · (Edited)
After installing my 2" budget boost and 33/10.5/15 BFG A/T tires on 8" rims a couple of months ago, I sometimes get a light rocking of the steering wheel after hitting a pot hole. It usually goes back to normal in about 3 seconds after the pot hole. Last night it was a severe shaking. The kind of death wobble that puckers your rectum. And it continued until I pulled it over and stopped. I checked the lug nuts because I was sure there had to be a loose wheel. They were all tight. I drove it home and the wobble did not return. I checked underneith this morning and everything seemed tight. It is a 2005 and has less than 5K miles, and has never seen serious off road use, so nothing is bent.
I plan on upgrading the steering stabilizer to a heavy duty one soon. Is there anything else that would be a good idea to do? I would hate for the death wobble to happen at freeway speeds.
 
#2 ·
While a HD steering stabilizer might help mask the symptom of DW, it won't cure it. DW is usually triggered by an out of balance tire(s) and something else being too loose, often the trackbar, allows it to fully develop into DW.

First, the taller the Jeep, the more absolutely critical that perfect tire balance be achieved. So get your tires balanced and tell the tire jockey that he can't be anything less than perfect... which isn't hard to do with modern tire balancing machines.

Then, check your trackbar's lower mounting bolt and make sure it is TIGHT. It should be torqued to 55 ft-lbs., even if the trackbar feels tight when wiggled by hand. A too loose trackbar can commonly allow DW to fully develop as it often works loose.... or if the trackbar mounting bushing is worn or loose.

Finally, set your toe-in to 1/8" per the instructions at http://www.4x4xplor.com/alignment.html which can easily be done quite accurately at home.

This should take care of your DW... at least most likely. :)
 
#3 ·
My wifes Jeep had the same problem after I raised it 3". I wimped out and took it to a (somewhat) local 4x4 shop. They did a wheel alignment on it, which solve the problem. didn't want to deal with that death wobble for to long.... it didn't make the wife happy, and when the wife is not happy.... no one is happy!!!!


Frank
 
#4 ·
Yeah, I echo Jerry's statements. Go thru all of your steering, front suspension, and trac-bar and make sure everything is very tight.
 
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