[JoAnne]

I just got a recall notice in the mail...it says "select suspension fasteners" may not have been tightened properly and that this could "cause a crash without warning."

I haven't noticed anything funny sounding and no vibrations though...but what are "select suspension fasteners???

 

[SeaComms]

Dana changed the paint on the diffs suplied to Jeep and its a thicker paint (much thicker than the water thin stuff it used to be). Basically when looking for a front end clunk a mechanic found the bolts to the diff were loosing torque as the paint was squashing under the bolts. He looked at several other vehicles and found the same thing.

Due to this, JKs made after mid 2010 with these "new paint" diffs are being recalled and all bolts on the diff (upper and lower control arms, track bar, ball joints etc) are being retorqued for safety reasons.

 

[98dyna]

alignment specs

Seacomm-good spot.According to Hunter Jeep dropped caster specs in 2007 from 7.0 to 4.2 positive.Now,that doesn't explain why my daughters had 7.0 positive caster unless it has a late 2006 front axle.It also doesn't explain the difference between Hunter and Mitchell on specs,I will call tomorrow to check on that.Now,as far as caster adjustment goes on the lower control arm the foward hole has been stamped and shouldered for a cam bolt but the cam was never put in.In 1988-89 Chevy did the same thing only welded washers over the slots for the cams,we had to remove the welds and install caster cams to adjust.Napa is showing a cam kit part number although I just knocked the tabs out and slid the axle back to adjust.

 

[SeaComms]

Yeah, the cams were one option I was looking at to increase the caster, as the lift has reduced mine to around 3.6 degrees and with no adjustments I find the steering very light and not self centering as much as I would like. The cams will give around another degree max, which is about all I need.

However, no one down here will sell the cams due to to many failures. I guess the problem is on a lifted Jeep they are more likely to be off roaders and heavy offroad work slamming the front wheels into things they say they will move (since the axle is pushed forward and its only the torque of the bolt and the washer agains the notch to hold it in place). And more than likely the nut behind the wheel not checking torques regularly...

Personally I am still not totally against the idea, as I do have a welder to lock them in place But its not urgent at the moment and I may still look at higher clearance adjustable lower control arms for that extra degree or so.

 

[98dyna]

cams & caster

I found in my Napa catalog cams for the 98-06 Wrangler for caster adjustment,up to 3 degrees of change.This is getting more interesting because they don't show the 07 in the book but our kids is set up for cams but doesn't have them.I just knocked the tabs out and set it where I wanted while on the alignment rack.I started looking at different spec books and programs today,it seems to me someone jumped the gun in 07 and printed 06 specs figgering that they would be the same.Nope,they did reduce caster in 07 specs.Now,if the alignment shop doesn't notice that when a Jeep is aligned then a mistake is made by someone who thinks he is correct.I can't keep up with all the upgrades on alignment specs we get in a year.Dodge has a right pull problem in the 08-09 police Chargers,they want us now to point the rear diff to the right alittle to offset the pull when putting the hammer down.If you can't get cams give me a shout,Ill get them for you.

 

[ianc]

Thanks for the very informative info. Had a wobble about 2 weeks ago. Dealer claimed it was a loose steering damper. (Jeep Mountain only has 20 000 kms on the clock). But... they replaced the damper completely on the maintenance plan. I am going to print your info and then take it back.

Regards, ianc

 

[JoAnne]

Thanks for the info. I have a service appointment soon.

 

[98dyna]

adjustment

SeaComms-I was under a 2010 Rubicon with 16,000 miles yesterday and guess what I found,cams shoulders in the lower control arms.If a person were to pull the bolt they will find tabs in the control arm that weren't punched out.And if a person were to punch the tabs out caster could be adjusted with the stock bolts or adjustment cams if they were put in.Why did Jeep do this if they didn't know there was a caster problem with the factory Jeeps? Mercedes Benz for years hid the fact that the rear end of certain models had toe adjustment even though nobody had that info in their manuals.Things that make you wonder!!!!

 

[SeaComms]

Lol, yeah, I have seen the knock outs and been contemplating it. There is a kit I saw somwhere that were simply square washers wide enough to fill the gap completely between the raised sections with the hole offset to max caster using the standard bolts. Contemplating this as could easily weld them in place to make it permanent so they dont move.

Have had a few guys down here say under the heavy load of hitting an obstacal pushes the diff back hard enough to push the washers past the tabs that stick out.

Personally I think if torqued properly this is highly unlikely, however as I mentioned a quick swipe with the welder and this problem should be solved

 

[Macman1138]

I used to crawl under my Jeeps to tackle things like this, but as I got older I just take it to the dealership and let them fix it.
Now I spend my time shopping for LED upgrade kits.
Oh, I just realized how much I have really let myself go....

 

[jeepnyakin]

HELP! Will a new steering damper permanently eliminate the Death Wobble? My dealer replaced my stearing damper per TSB #02-003-10 under warranty after multiple episodes (4) of the dreaded wobble . My 08 wrangler JKU has 27000 miles with all stock equip. My warranty will expire next February and I don't want this to be a repeat issue costing $$$$$$$!

 

[kerrit22]

Hi all,

I just bought a 2003 sahara and i find that it wobbles while driving. I at first thought that was just a regular wobble, which leads me to my first question. Does the wrangler wobble normally, especially when going over bumps in the road?

Now at least twice while driving the front end just started to shake/rattle violently. I was about to pull over when it just suddenly stopped. Does this sound like the death wobble to you guys?

Can anyone reccomend a good repair shop in Los Angeles (west side, if possible) that really knows wranglers, that can check it out at a reasonable price?

Final question, i am currently on 30x9.5 tires, psi at 34. Are there larger/wider tires that would help it to feel more stable on the road and less wobbly?

Thanks all.

I love it and am happy to finally be a jeep girl, but I want to nip any issues in the bud before they get much bigger.

 

[jeepnyakin]

The entire front end of your jeep will feel like it is falling apart. It is VERY violent and will not stop unless you come to a complete stop.

 

[JL-KA]

So basically if you keep your trackbar bolts tight you shouldn't have this problem? Why not just replace the 14mm bolt with a 9/16th bolt? What's the thread pattern?

 

[cuinnan]

Hi all,
I'm considering a 2011 Sahara Unlimited.
Great looking vehicle, enjoyed the test drive and all else to be honest.
I'm wondering if the death wobble is something that I should worry about on a 2011 MY.
The main reason for asking is mainly because I read about Chrysler doing a couple of recalls, atleast one related to the axle.
Did this fix the wobble or is it something totally unrelated?

If the recall/s were not related to the wobble, I assume it's safe to say that it's still an ongoing issue in the 2011MY.

 

[planman]

HELP! Will a new steering damper permanently eliminate the Death Wobble? My dealer replaced my stearing damper per TSB #02-003-10 under warranty after multiple episodes (4) of the dreaded wobble . My 08 wrangler JKU has 27000 miles with all stock equip. My warranty will expire next February and I don't want this to be a repeat issue costing $$$$$$$!

Please go back and read the first 2 posts in this thread, and you will have your answer as to why a steering dampner has absolutely nothing to do with the most common sources of DW and why your dealer techs are completely incompetent for saying a new one is the fix.

Without fixing the source, the DW will continue to get worse and the new steering dampner/stabilizer will eventually fail because it will no longer be able to mask the source(s) of your DW.

So basically if you keep your trackbar bolts tight you shouldn't have this problem? Why not just replace the 14mm bolt with a 9/16th bolt? What's the thread pattern?

Basically, jeeps with proper installation and maintenance of factory and aftermarket parts do not experence DW.

They may end up with wobbles due to worn or damaged ball joints or joint ends (tie rod or drag link), or from a bad alignment due to a bent tie rod, but they catch them and fix things right away before they damage other components.

If you want to deal with the difference in bolt hole and bolt size, you can use larger bolts or weld in washers that fit snugly on the stock bolts. If you use larger bolts, you will want to use shouldered bolts and to weld a flag on the new nut for the axle side. Otherwise, you want to weld the washers on the front and back of both the axle and frame side brackets.

Hi all,
I'm considering a 2011 Sahara Unlimited.
Great looking vehicle, enjoyed the test drive and all else to be honest.
I'm wondering if the death wobble is something that I should worry about on a 2011 MY.
The main reason for asking is mainly because I read about Chrysler doing a couple of recalls, atleast one related to the axle.
Did this fix the wobble or is it something totally unrelated?

If the recall/s were not related to the wobble, I assume it's safe to say that it's still an ongoing issue in the 2011MY.

DW is an issue for any poorly maintained vehicle with a 5 link front end. It has been an issue with every Ford, Dodge, and Jeep with a front trackbar and 4 front control arms. It is not specific to JKs. In fact, it happens less frequently with JKs than with other models because of the beefiness of the JK front trackbar and 125 ft lbs torque specs for the trackbar and front lower control arms.

Google ford death wobble, dodge death wobble, or jeep death wobble and you will see what I mean.

If you are keeping your jeep stock, after you get your jeep, go around and re-torque all the bolts to spec as soon as you get it.

Then, just add re-torquing the trackbar bolts to 125 ft. lbs. at every oil change interval, and you will be fine.

 

[rockguy17]

Death Wobble fix

Took mine to the dealership...after a fwe test drives, they finally diagnosed the problem. Bad upper and lower ball joints coupled with the TSB from the dealer about the seteering damper. Being new to the Jeep world, I know now to check the ball joints before purchase (bought mine used). Seems to have solved the problem for now.

Although there are many differnt causes, this is just another suggestion for people to check.

 

[-John-]

Mine has about 800 miles and it just develop a thumping sound around the drivers side at a certain point when you turn the wheels. I check the jeep home page for TSB and found the 2011 one. Taking it to the dealer this week. I have a torque wrench but with the flu, I'm worth crap...

 

[da_duck]

i had really bad DW at 53-58 mph turns out i was low on power steering fluid?

 

[kpb48]

Good to know !