deathwobble and tires
i am running a set of 35" super swamper radials and have the ol infamous death wobble at about 40mph. from 40 on to about 60 it steadys out and the ride is good enough to put up with but i have to constantly watch the speed.
my question is, can anyone tell me if they are running a moderately aggressive mud tread and still get a decent ride on the pavement. i know for sure that my 35's are worn and im pretty sure that is the main factor causing the shake because it has gotten worse as the tires wear even though they do still have a good bit of tread on em. i took the jeep to a 4x4 tire shop and they didnt even recommend balancing them because of the big amount of weights they would need on the outside of the rim and they said that still may not totally get rid of the wobble. since i dont go offroading much, i am going to buy some all terrain tires but i wanted to stick with the present size that i have now which is 35x 14.50 and they dont make an all terrain tread in that width. i am ok with going with a set of 35x12.50 all terrain tires instead of mud grips but would rather stay with the exact size that i have now. i was mainly wondering if anyone can say that they are able to run a large mud tire with no balancing issue.
my question is, can anyone tell me if they are running a moderately aggressive mud tread and still get a decent ride on the pavement. i know for sure that my 35's are worn and im pretty sure that is the main factor causing the shake because it has gotten worse as the tires wear even though they do still have a good bit of tread on em. i took the jeep to a 4x4 tire shop and they didnt even recommend balancing them because of the big amount of weights they would need on the outside of the rim and they said that still may not totally get rid of the wobble. since i dont go offroading much, i am going to buy some all terrain tires but i wanted to stick with the present size that i have now which is 35x 14.50 and they dont make an all terrain tread in that width. i am ok with going with a set of 35x12.50 all terrain tires instead of mud grips but would rather stay with the exact size that i have now. i was mainly wondering if anyone can say that they are able to run a large mud tire with no balancing issue.
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I run 35 trxus MT and they took a ton weight to balance.. and its still not perfect. You could try using the balance bags that the semi trucks use. I had those before and they worked rather well. This time around I have tons of wheel weights and while its not as good as the bags it still lets me get up to say 55mph with out fear of death wobble.
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Talk to Mr. C about his wheel and tire balancing and see what he has to offer!!
I have a vibration at those speeds also. It felt like death wobble until I rotated the wheels. It is a bent rim. I just moved that rim to the rear and essentially get a back massage when I hit 40mph now. At least until we can get the time and money budgeted for a pair of replacement rims.
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The wider the tire, the more any tolerance (error) will be magnified. Double check the front end to make sure you do not have any excessive wear on your steering components.
For what it's worth, the guy who aligned my Jeep mentioned to me to keep a very close eye on the front end and be mindful of wear. He said to me that the wobble issues will be produced as the system ages and I should expect it. The wider you go, the worse it gets. I'm running the SS - TSL's (33" x 10.5")
If everything is tight, then I would have the tires re-balanced and front end re-aligned.
For what it's worth, the guy who aligned my Jeep mentioned to me to keep a very close eye on the front end and be mindful of wear. He said to me that the wobble issues will be produced as the system ages and I should expect it. The wider you go, the worse it gets. I'm running the SS - TSL's (33" x 10.5")
If everything is tight, then I would have the tires re-balanced and front end re-aligned.
hmmmmmm
i did check some of the front end components as suggested and i found some things to be a little worn. the rod that goes across the front with the shock on it has some small ball joint type bushings and i found lots of play in those so im gonna change em and the shock too. i have a skyjacker lift kit on it but i bought the jeep with it installed already so i dont know too much about what went into it. i do know that it has a
4" suspension lift and a 3" body lift, and it was all installed professionally at a shop.
i also have something that aggravates me to no end as well and the best way i can discribe it is to call it a noticable "shudder" at take off........as soon as i get going a bit it goes away but it does make a small shuddering noise until i get rolling that seems to be coming from inside of the transfer case or somewhere underneath. it sounds like a gear with some play in it and im pretty certain that is probably what it is. i even had a guy at a shop hang undereath the jeep while another tech put a load on it by powerbraking it and moving along slowly (their idea) and he couldnt pin point it either. its been doing it since i first got the jeep and some day it may go out but for now, no one can tell me how to fix it or what it really is.
for now, i will be getting new tires and replacing anything that i found to be worn and hopefully i will get the results im looking for with that.
well thanks for all the replies and keep on wheelin out there.
i did check some of the front end components as suggested and i found some things to be a little worn. the rod that goes across the front with the shock on it has some small ball joint type bushings and i found lots of play in those so im gonna change em and the shock too. i have a skyjacker lift kit on it but i bought the jeep with it installed already so i dont know too much about what went into it. i do know that it has a
4" suspension lift and a 3" body lift, and it was all installed professionally at a shop.
i also have something that aggravates me to no end as well and the best way i can discribe it is to call it a noticable "shudder" at take off........as soon as i get going a bit it goes away but it does make a small shuddering noise until i get rolling that seems to be coming from inside of the transfer case or somewhere underneath. it sounds like a gear with some play in it and im pretty certain that is probably what it is. i even had a guy at a shop hang undereath the jeep while another tech put a load on it by powerbraking it and moving along slowly (their idea) and he couldnt pin point it either. its been doing it since i first got the jeep and some day it may go out but for now, no one can tell me how to fix it or what it really is.
for now, i will be getting new tires and replacing anything that i found to be worn and hopefully i will get the results im looking for with that.
well thanks for all the replies and keep on wheelin out there.
Do you still have the stock tires? If you do throw those one there and see if its gone.
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The fact that you probably have the stock driveshaft on there with 4" of suspension lift is the cause of your shuddering at take off. Those are classic slip yoke issues right there.
Also what you are referring to on the "The bar with the shock" are called tie rod ends. The bar is the tie rod. TRE's are going to have some play in there as that's what they are designed for.
You honestly do not seem to have DW. You seem to have a high speed vibration coming from your tires.
Also what you are referring to on the "The bar with the shock" are called tie rod ends. The bar is the tie rod. TRE's are going to have some play in there as that's what they are designed for.
You honestly do not seem to have DW. You seem to have a high speed vibration coming from your tires.
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I recently lifted my jeep with the RE 3.5" kit and I get a slight shudder at take-off....need to replace the DS with a CV type (like the kit suggested...waiting fo rmore cash to grow in my wallet)
Try the cheapest option first (balance and alignment), recheck your ride quality and work up to the bigger expenses.
Good luck and let us know how you make out.
Try the cheapest option first (balance and alignment), recheck your ride quality and work up to the bigger expenses.
Good luck and let us know how you make out.
im on my way thanks to everyone
i am learning ALOT on here. I know that im not a know it all when it comes to the mechanics of everything but i research and learn and i bought a jeep because of it being modestly simple as far as computers and high tech features so that i could do lots of things myself and so far, its all been going great.
as far as me having the original tires, i dont because i bought the jeep in the as is state with the lift and tires already on it. so far no one could tell me for sure what that shudder is or may be, but from these latest posts i can see that the DS may be the cause. im going to look into what you guys are recommending with that issue and let ya know my findings. first of all though, im going to start with new tires which i need to replace anyway, then im gonna check all of the front end rubbers and bushings and work my way to the drive train and see what happens.
oh, and the guy who asked how the techs did the torque load test with the manual tranny......its not a manual...its an auto so i wanted to clear that up for ya.
thanks everyone and this is all why i love the forums cause thanks to all of the good replies and posts im on my way to perfecting my ride and i wont quit until im there.
i am learning ALOT on here. I know that im not a know it all when it comes to the mechanics of everything but i research and learn and i bought a jeep because of it being modestly simple as far as computers and high tech features so that i could do lots of things myself and so far, its all been going great.
as far as me having the original tires, i dont because i bought the jeep in the as is state with the lift and tires already on it. so far no one could tell me for sure what that shudder is or may be, but from these latest posts i can see that the DS may be the cause. im going to look into what you guys are recommending with that issue and let ya know my findings. first of all though, im going to start with new tires which i need to replace anyway, then im gonna check all of the front end rubbers and bushings and work my way to the drive train and see what happens.
oh, and the guy who asked how the techs did the torque load test with the manual tranny......its not a manual...its an auto so i wanted to clear that up for ya.
thanks everyone and this is all why i love the forums cause thanks to all of the good replies and posts im on my way to perfecting my ride and i wont quit until im there.
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As long as you have the will to learn, are able bodied and can read, you can fix a car. Start out by buying the Chilton's or Hayne's repair manuals in your local AutoZone or parts center. They cost about $20 and are a great introduction to the basics. As you get more proficient, buy the Jeep repair manuals. Read them thoroughly and really understand the procedures. Get some good tools too.
I like to re-invest the money I save in garage expenses and put the cash back into my tools. I've been doing it for 20 years now and I do not farm anything out (except perhaps pulling out an axle in the middle of January in the drive-way)... It gets too cold here in PA to do that.
The internet can be an awesome tool. This site is specifically dedicated to Jeep users and there is a huge wealth of information and support. So basically, you have hundreds of years of combined experience here to help you.
Keep in mind, you need to be patient and sometimes you will have to just learn by mistake, but perhaps we can help you get through the tough part and eventually you will develop your own confidence level.
Perhaps later you can share those experiences with the non-experienced people. Thus the cycle begins...
I like to re-invest the money I save in garage expenses and put the cash back into my tools. I've been doing it for 20 years now and I do not farm anything out (except perhaps pulling out an axle in the middle of January in the drive-way)... It gets too cold here in PA to do that.
The internet can be an awesome tool. This site is specifically dedicated to Jeep users and there is a huge wealth of information and support. So basically, you have hundreds of years of combined experience here to help you.
Keep in mind, you need to be patient and sometimes you will have to just learn by mistake, but perhaps we can help you get through the tough part and eventually you will develop your own confidence level.
Perhaps later you can share those experiences with the non-experienced people. Thus the cycle begins...
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8 Posts
Ha! Good one.
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8 Posts
Aye, that's well said. Like the other poster, I bought my first Jeep (an '01 TJ Sport) already modified--it was a dealership's technology demo, so it already had some bells and whistles, but nothing too extreme, a 2.5" Skyjacker standard suspension lift, rock bumpers, big (but crappy) tires, driving lights. Over the next few years, though, I learned that the Jeeps are "Lego for grownups". I added all kinds of crap to that rig, and did it all myself--and I wasn't terribly mechanically inclined.
I now have a 2006 Rubicon and love it. I put a Rubicon Express budget boost on it, stock 31's on Cragar wheels, AEM Brute Force intake... a schnazzy sound system. But after my last off-roading trip, my control arms are all pinched and now I have some serious Death Wobble at 47 mph. Since it's something that could affect my ability to stay alive, I'm letting a 4x4 shop fix it up.
All this to say the web has been a fantastic resource--the body of knowledge just grows and grows. Welcome to the Jeep experience... ain't it grand?
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