Put 3inch lift on my new JL, constant death wobble

3950 Views 39 Replies 13 Participants Last post by Nighthawk69, Mar 11, 2021

Nighthawk69

Discussion Starter · Mar 9, 2021

So I put a 3 inch lift kit on my brand new wrangler JLU. It is now practically undriveable on highways due to the fact anytime I hit 55mph or over and hit a bump, the vehicle violently shakes to the point in have to slow down to 30-40 mph to get it to subside.
Have been doing a lot of research on this and everything I’ve read says don’t waste money on a steering stabilizer, upgrade front and rear track bars instead. I’ve purchased the teraflex alpine adjustable front track bar, do I also need to buy a front track bar relocation bracket? Same question for the adjustable rear track bar. Any other adjustments I should look into making? Couldn’t be more frustrated, any feedback would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

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BlueBabySound

· #2 · Mar 9, 2021

Welcome to the forum.

You won't need a bracket for the front just the track bar. The rear depends on if the lift you installed had one.
Also post your alignment numbers, specifically caster. What did your lift use to address the change in caster?

Let us know hat lift you installed. There's a big difference between a $400 Rough Country lift and a $4,000 Metalcloak lift.

Reactions: 2

Nighthawk69

Discussion Starter · #3 · Mar 9, 2021

Blue Baby Sound said:
Welcome to the forum.

You won't need a bracket for the front just the track bar. The rear depends on if the lift you installed had one.
Also post your alignment numbers, specifically caster. What did your lift use to address the change in caster?

Let us know hat lift you installed. There's a big difference between a $400 Rough Country lift and a $4,000 Metalcloak lift.

Blue Baby Sound said:
Welcome to the forum.

You won't need a bracket for the front just the track bar. The rear depends on if the lift you installed had one.
Also post your alignment numbers, specifically caster. What did your lift use to address the change in caster?

Let us know hat lift you installed. There's a big difference between a $400 Rough Country lift and a $4,000 Metalcloak lift.

Appreciate the response, it’s an icon lift kit. Sorry I’m new to all of this.

BlueBabySound

· #4 · Mar 9, 2021

They have a wide range of lifts, can you be more specific? Do you have a parts list?
Do you have an alignment sheet post lift?

Leadnut

· #5 · Mar 9, 2021

Welcome from Arizona.

joeycarnuba

· #6 · Mar 9, 2021 (Edited)

Geometry correction brackets may help. A realignment may be needed too. I assume you installed larger wheels and tires? Your wheel offset (if much different than stock) will also affect the handling. A heavier duty adjusted track bar might help but usually people will tell you death wobble is caused by worn bushings, since your Jeep is new your bushings are likley not worn and therefore a track bar may not help.

I had bad death wobble on a stock TJ at 55mph, the death wobble completely went away when I installed my 3" lift and adjustable JKS track bar and reset the toe.

rgreen65

· #7 · Mar 9, 2021

Definitely get an alignment done, then scan and post the results on here. Until you know where you are on the specifications, it is just a guessing game. Changing the track bar only adjusts the side to side position of the axle, the critical item is caster and that will be changed by adjustable control arms.

You read that the majority of DW is from a track bar, and this is if it is a worn or loose track bar. Generally DW is corrected simply by re torqueing the TB.

While I am sure you have wobble and suspension issues, I am not sure it is full on DW as that is only stopped by coming to a complete or almost complete stop. Wobble that starts at 55 and is speed sensitive, ie: stopped by slowing down by 10-15 MPH as you did or speeding up to go through it, is generally related to wheels/tires. However, you did not indicate any change in wheels/tires with the lift.

Since you are new to Jeep, here is a link to an excellent discussion of shimmy/wobbles vs DW. It is a bit lengthy, but critical to understanding your suspension. Yes it does say JK not JL, but the front suspensions in the TJ, JK, JL and JT vary only in the width and specific components, not the geometry.

Diagnosing Death Wobble and Fixing Non-DW Shimmies and...

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Nighthawk69

Discussion Starter · #8 · Mar 9, 2021

2

Still running stock wheels and tires guys. Was eager to upgrade but don’t wanna do anything until I figure out and solve this DW problem.

here is the lift kit part list as well as the alignment they did afterward

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DuRsT

· #9 · Mar 9, 2021

Ok so it's just a spacer kit. The is the cheapest way to lift a Jeep, and you get what you pay for usually.

If you have consistent death wobble over a certain speed, it seems like the shop may have not tightened something up when installing. Who performed the installation?

Nighthawk69

Discussion Starter · #10 · Mar 9, 2021

Didn’t even realize that...unreal. ATO in maryland.

Nighthawk69

Discussion Starter · #11 · Mar 9, 2021

I almost feel like I should just purchase a whole new lift kit at this point...

Old Dogger

· #12 · Mar 9, 2021

Welcome to the Forum, from Cave Creek AZ.

BlueBabySound

· #13 · Mar 9, 2021

It says 3" lift plus 3/4" spacer? Is that correct?
FWIW Zone is kind of a bottom of the barrel lift. This scenario is the reason we preach not to skimp on your suspension. (I'll get off my soap box now)

What are your long term plans? Why did you lift your Jeep?

Personally I would take that lift off and go back stock or replace with a quality lift. If a shop did it then you probably don't have the stock parts..??..?? Short term I agree to double check all bolts to make sure they're torqued correctly (on the ground)

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Reactions: 1

DRBReno

· #14 · Mar 9, 2021

Nighthawk69 said:
I almost feel like I should just purchase a whole new lift kit at this point...

Given your experience with Jeeps, go back to stock (if you can), and learn with the vehicle will do in that configuration. That will help guide you as to the direction you want to go with future mods. You may also want to cultivate a relationship with an experienced 4x4 shop nearby.

Nighthawk69

Discussion Starter · #15 · Mar 9, 2021

Blue Baby Sound said:
It says 3" lift plus 3/4" spacer? Is that correct?
FWIW Zone is kind of a bottom of the barrel lift. This scenario is the reason we preach not to skimp on your suspension. (I'll get off my soap box now)

What are your long term plans? Why did you lift your Jeep?

Personally I would take that lift off and go back stock or replace with a quality lift. If a shop did it then you probably don't have the stock parts..??..?? Short term I agree to double check all bolts to make sure they're torqued correctly (on the ground)

View attachment 4488216

Nah man I completely understand. I was one of those morons who just wanted to lift it 2.5 inches and slap some big tires on it. I originally asked them to order and install a skyjacker kit, but everything was ok back order due to covid. They insisted on the 3 inch lift and assured me there would be no problems. Now I’m sitting here with my d*** in my hand trying to figure out the issue and the place who installed it pretty much told me I’m on my own...”but we should try the adjustable track bar and do you have a steering stabilizer on it?” UH YOU SHOULD KNOW YOU INSTALLED IT!!!

Honestly, I just want a solid sturdy lift, and I wanna put on 35s or 37s.But right now I just want to be able to drive it without feeling like it’s gonna wreck. If I were to order a whole new lift kit and have it installed, what are some reputable kits? Should I do 2.5 inches or 3inches?

thanks again

BlueBabySound

· #16 · Mar 9, 2021

Opinions are like.... well... you know...
But here's my opinion. Everyone loves the look of 37s, but most don't know what it takes to run them correctly, and most don't understand how quickly parts will wear out with them. I didn't the first time I put 37s on a Jeep, because that's what my wife wanted. I was amazed how quickly things started wearing out/breaking. For that reason I always push for a lighter 35" unless the type of wheeling you do requires a 37".

For 35s I'd recommend taking a look at this thread LINK.

Nighthawk69

Discussion Starter · #17 · Mar 9, 2021

Blue Baby Sound said:
Opinions are like.... well... you know...
But here's my opinion. Everyone loves the look of 37s, but most don't know what it takes to run them correctly, and most don't understand how quickly parts will wear out with them. I didn't the first time I put 37s on a Jeep, because that's what my wife wanted. I was amazed how quickly things started wearing out/breaking. For that reason I always push for a lighter 35" unless the type of wheeling you do requires a 37".

For 35s I'd recommend taking a look at this thread LINK.

Yeah I was already leaning towards the 35s...I don’t need anymore problems. Do you think it’s even worth trying out the front adjustable track bar or do you think I’d just be wasting my time?

BlueBabySound

· #18 · Mar 9, 2021

Stronger track bar could definitely help. And like several have mentioned double check all bolts to make sure they're torqued correctly (on the ground). Depending on how severe your wobble and how many times you've had it, then other things could have been damaged. Ball joints, drag link, tie rod ends, etc.

It's a great reason to crawl under there and see what's going on

DuRsT

· #19 · Mar 9, 2021

Funny that the shop that installed it told you to kick rocks. I would not go away very easily in that situation. You hired them as the professional in this situation, and this isn't normal. A poorly installed lift puts people's lives at risk, and is nothing to trivialize.

I would expect that this lift not ride great or perform well off road, but not consistent DW at specific speeds. That isn't right.

I think you need to figure out what you actually want to do with the Jeep and build a plan from there. If it's just for looks, that's one thing. If you plan on taking it off-road and flexing it out on a consistent basis there are much better options out there.

Sorry all this is happening man.

Nighthawk69

Discussion Starter · #20 · Mar 9, 2021

DuRsT said:
Funny that the shop that installed it told you to kick rocks. I would not go away very easily in that situation. You hired them as the professional in this situation, and this isn't normal. A poorly installed lift puts people's lives at risk, and is nothing to trivialize.

I would expect that this lift not ride great or perform well off road, but not consistent DW at specific speeds. That isn't right.

I think you need to figure out what you actually want to do with the Jeep and build a plan from there. If it's just for looks, that's one thing. If you plan on taking it off-road and flexing it out on a consistent basis there are much better options out there.

Sorry all this is happening man.

Appreciate the feedback man. Honestly at this point I’m not overly concerned about off-roading, as lame as that sounds. More so just for look right now.

You would think given then installed it and they assured me “there will be no problems with a 3 inch lift”...that they should be the ones to diagnose and fix the issue. I’m just fed up at this point.

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