big bumps cause wobble
Thread Starter
JK Super Freak
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,152
Likes: 1
From: Aguada, PR
If you have had the wheels balanced before, you could be seeing where they took off weights during the rebalance.
When my tires begin to go outta balance I notice it at about 40-45 mph. My steering wheel slowly oscilates back and forth until I speed up to about 50mph or more.
My big bump was the lower axle mount for the track bar. I was flipping out so I stopped be the local 4x4 shop, they started the jeep, one guy steered it each way, the other looking at the track bar and steering components. After 30 seconds he said stop, the front track bar axle mount is sliding around the bushing. I pretty much just tightened it and problem solved.
As for the tie rod ends, I am unclear. I have an aftermarket tie rod that has Castle Nuts and Cotter Pins .
Northridge 4x4 has some torque settings in their tech tips section. Just beware, I don't think all of these apply to the JK!!
When my tires begin to go outta balance I notice it at about 40-45 mph. My steering wheel slowly oscilates back and forth until I speed up to about 50mph or more.
My big bump was the lower axle mount for the track bar. I was flipping out so I stopped be the local 4x4 shop, they started the jeep, one guy steered it each way, the other looking at the track bar and steering components. After 30 seconds he said stop, the front track bar axle mount is sliding around the bushing. I pretty much just tightened it and problem solved.
As for the tie rod ends, I am unclear. I have an aftermarket tie rod that has Castle Nuts and Cotter Pins .
Northridge 4x4 has some torque settings in their tech tips section. Just beware, I don't think all of these apply to the JK!!
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 426
Likes: 0
From: Mechanicburg pa
i would check everyting for tightness, and also since the weather is cooling down have you checked tire pressure.....low pressure and big bumps will give you a similar response as the dreded death wobble, but not nearly as bad...
Thread Starter
JK Super Freak
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,152
Likes: 1
From: Aguada, PR
Its very possible that my front trackbar may need some re-torquing since the axel end of the TB was removed to put on the relocation bracket at the time of the install of the SS. I'll have my wife move the steering while I look under closely this time. Last time I checked I was watching from the front end and nothing seemed to be loose maybe I need to take a closer look at a different angle. I'll keep you posted.
Thread Starter
JK Super Freak
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,152
Likes: 1
From: Aguada, PR
I recently bought a ARB EZ deflator so I used it today to my tire pressure between 26-28psi. According to the ARB gauge I was at 22psi. My other gauge was inaccurate. My tires are now at 26 psi. I noticed some improvement as it relates to the big bump wobble, but it's still there. Next thing to do is give it a once over with my torque wrench. I'll keep you guys posted.
Thread Starter
JK Super Freak
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,152
Likes: 1
From: Aguada, PR
OK guys...I had everything torqued to specs. I even found a loose nut on my passenger side front shock, so of course I had it tightened. Everything is fine up front. To my dismay I still get the bump induced wobble. Its not just any kind of bump. If I hit a speed bump it doesn't happen, but if I hit a manhole I get the wobble. Basically its dip-bump type stuff that causes me to have a mild wobble.
Here is my question: Could my toe in be the culprit? Even though this doesn't make sense to me, but do I need to rebalance my tires?
I'm going to verify my tire pressure again(chalk test and heat test) tomorrow and see.
Any other suggestion will be greatly appreciated.
Here is my question: Could my toe in be the culprit? Even though this doesn't make sense to me, but do I need to rebalance my tires?
I'm going to verify my tire pressure again(chalk test and heat test) tomorrow and see.
Any other suggestion will be greatly appreciated.
JK Super Freak
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,502
Likes: 1
From: Columbia, IL
Trackbar issues seem to be the number one cause, I have also seen manufactors commenting about tire pressure being to high.
I can tell you that I had a trackbar bolt that was tightened to spec but would still move, scared the crap out of me. I had to tighted it down until it compressed the braket before it stopped moving.
Just a thought.
I can tell you that I had a trackbar bolt that was tightened to spec but would still move, scared the crap out of me. I had to tighted it down until it compressed the braket before it stopped moving.
Just a thought.
Thread Starter
JK Super Freak
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,152
Likes: 1
From: Aguada, PR
Trackbar issues seem to be the number one cause, I have also seen manufactors commenting about tire pressure being to high.
I can tell you that I had a trackbar bolt that was tightened to spec but would still move, scared the crap out of me. I had to tighted it down until it compressed the braket before it stopped moving.
Just a thought.
I can tell you that I had a trackbar bolt that was tightened to spec but would still move, scared the crap out of me. I had to tighted it down until it compressed the braket before it stopped moving.
Just a thought.
Thread Starter
JK Super Freak
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,152
Likes: 1
From: Aguada, PR
Finally had my alignment tech take a look and the only thing he found was that the SS wasn't reacting to sudden shaking or movements and what I'm suffering from serious bumpsteer. It was like nothing was there. Now, when we pushed or pulled on the SS there was a good amount of resistance. I called Fox and they told me to send it in to take a look at it. Friday I'll put the factory SS back in. Lets see how that goes.
Any thoughts about using a drop pitman and drop bracket for the TB on my lift kit to help eliminate bumpsteer? Remember, I have a Teraflex 3" lift which really gives about 4.25" of lift. I know that this is a debateble subject and I'm open to hear both sides.
Any thoughts about using a drop pitman and drop bracket for the TB on my lift kit to help eliminate bumpsteer? Remember, I have a Teraflex 3" lift which really gives about 4.25" of lift. I know that this is a debateble subject and I'm open to hear both sides.
***erator
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 628
Likes: 0
From: las vegas nv
X4 on the track bar. I say check both the front and back. The bars and/or the brackets. I have broken both the front track bar bracket(completely sheared from the axel) and the rear (aftermarket extender bracket from Full Traction, Warranted THX.)
JK Newbie
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 93
Likes: 0
From: Tel Aviv, Israel
I recently bought a ARB EZ deflator so I used it today to my tire pressure between 26-28psi. According to the ARB gauge I was at 22psi. My other gauge was inaccurate. My tires are now at 26 psi. I noticed some improvement as it relates to the big bump wobble, but it's still there. Next thing to do is give it a once over with my torque wrench. I'll keep you guys posted.
I too am suffering from a strange wobble in the steering wheel.
Initially i was sure that ther brake pedal was loose as the wobble in the steering wheel seemed to originate from the bottom of the steering shaft.
After checking that I know that it has nothing to do with the brake pedal at all...
Reading your post - i was amazed to hear that you took a blow to the SS and that you probably damaged it because it's the same with me. I never thought that this oculd be the source of all the problems.
I will check mine too and install a new one to see if that solves the prob.
Thanks for this post.