Write- Up Diagnosing Death Wobble and Fixing Non-DW Shimmies and Wobbles
10-07-2015, 05:51 AM
#311
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Planman, I really thank you for your post and advice, but I cant seem to find the problem and neither can any shop. I have read your write up and believe I checked and did everything right. I put a 3" lift on about 3 years ago and up until about 6 months ago, I have been having death wobble issues. I have replaced the steering stabilizer, drag link, tie rod, track bar with grade 8 bolts, ball joints, and hub bearings. I have took it to 3 different shops and no one can find anything loose or any problems. One thing I did notice recently when i was checking torque on everything and messed up the drag link removing it, I replaced it with a new one and everything seemed to be good, but like two weeks after the death wobble came back. I really love my jeep but Im really at the point of giving up.....also if anyone is in South Jersey and could help me or knows any recommend shops it would be much appreciated. also only other thing I have noticed is a slight up and down play in ball joints.
It probably started out with loose trackbar bolts, maybe combined twisted/preloaded control arm and trackbar bushings of the bolts weren't loosened for the lift install and then not torqued until after the full weight of the jeep was back in the ground at the new ride height.
Then, with multiple episodes of DW or Violent shimmies, it took out other components.
How are the bracket bolt holes and the control arm and trackbar bushings?
To your tires show even wear or is the tread wear cupped or feathered?
10-07-2015, 04:19 PM
#312
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The key is to inspect everything in one sitting. Otherwise, you can end up chasing your tail.
It probably started out with loose trackbar bolts, maybe combined twisted/preloaded control arm and trackbar bushings of the bolts weren't loosened for the lift install and then not torqued until after the full weight of the jeep was back in the ground at the new ride height.
Then, with multiple episodes of DW or Violent shimmies, it took out other components.
How are the bracket bolt holes and the control arm and trackbar bushings?
To your tires show even wear or is the tread wear cupped or feathered?
Yea i checked everything on your list, but one thing is when i did do the lift 3 years ago, i didnt loosen the control arm bolts. Mayb they finally gave out. But all other parts look good with no play other then ball joints with minor play. The bolt holes in the trackbar look good, the grade 8 bolts have little wiggle room. From what i can see the control arm bushing look good.. this weekend im going to take off the control arms and inspect them..My tires i just got because the old ones were pretty worn, I think the wear was more on the outside. I thought the old tires may have been a issue also, so I got new tires and balance and aglinmet.
10-07-2015, 04:47 PM
#313
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Take a good look at your front upper control arm bushings, including the front upper bushings that are in the brackets in the axle housing.
10-10-2015, 10:45 AM
#314
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Ok, i finally got to check it all out..now i finally feel some like clunking and clicking and feel it on the drag link..i feel it with the short fast turns..i dont see any play on either end of drag link though..
Could it be the steering box? Could that cause death wobble?
Last edited by Xspearo; 10-10-2015 at 06:56 PM.
10-11-2015, 06:38 PM
#315
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Planman, Ok, i finally got to check it all out..now i finally feel some like clunking and clicking and feel it on the drag link..i feel it with the short fast turns..i dont see any play on either end of drag link though.. Could it be the steering box? Could that cause death wobble?
Clunking in the drag link end during a dry steering test would be evidence it is worn. It wouldn't be the cause of full out metal clunking, tires bouncing type death wobble, but it could still be pretty bad.
I've included just about everything it could be in the written inspection checklist at the beginning of this thread.
10-19-2015, 08:04 PM
#316
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Thank you Planman. Last week I replased my drag link and tie rod and it fixed my death wobble, but a minor wobble was left, not deadly anymore. Today I replaced the ball joints and U-joints and it appears that it's all gone. Thank you for taking the time to do the videos and this thread.
10-21-2015, 07:37 PM
#318
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I really dont know much about the rear. Nothing is adjustable back there except the pinion angle if you have adjustable control arms.
10-21-2015, 08:22 PM
#319
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Your caster should be closer to 5 degrees. I believe toe is good or at least close. The negative camber is not adjustable. (Front end)
I really dont know much about the rear. Nothing is adjustable back there except the pinion angle if you have adjustable control arms.
What would better to adjust caster, upper or lower control arm? And is camber ok?
10-21-2015, 08:28 PM
#320
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I have adjustable front lowers and everything is fine. There is nothing you can do on camber. Its way better than mine. I'm at about 2.5 degrees of negative camber. It seems my housing bent a little before I got the gussets on. I have no tire wear issues so far.
