Hi guys. I just wanted to get an opinion on this. My 08 jk is having some death wobble problems. I have checked all the suspension components and they seem fine. My tires are worn bad and I'm getting new tires in a week but I don't want to wear out the new tires with the dw problem either. I have an extended warranty I bought from the dealer with the jk and was wondering if I did use it, who would be better to deal with the death wobble problem; dealer or mechanic? I hate dealers but I thought they might be more experienced with this problem. What do you guys think I should do? Thanks a lot!

 

Well my jk is currently in the dealers hands, what I can tell you is that chrysler has told their mechanics that 99.9% of the time DW can be fixed with a new steering stabilizer, and I would bet that If you took it into them, all they would do is replace your steering stabilizer and call it done.

 

If it's stock, I would take it to the dealer to fix under warranty (no cost to you). If modded, I would take to a 4x4 shop.

 

I'll give you my recent experience. I don't know how bad your DW is.

I thought I had it, but it was just a vibration.

I have good tread. Took it to the dealer twice.
Both times they told me it was the tires. I thought they speed tested them.

If yours are almost bald, chances are they might do the same thing to you and tell you it's the tires, maybe not.

I understand where you are coming from. I wouldnt want to put on new tires knowing it could be something else.

For me, a wheel balance was all it took. Problem solved. Mine was shaking minor around 55-65mph.

 

In my research in buying a jeep JK I talk to the service manager re: DW since this become an issue on my o6 rubi ..well last week i met ser.man. to ask many of the questions and concerns.
First thing its not a death wobble it a "shimmy '' and yes his reply is the SS...but his fix was to put on a dodge 1 ton SS which requires mod. because it s longer..200.00 bucks . I 'm not done with this concern because it happens to stock jeeps,but the SM became defensive as if he Knew his answer was not the whole CURE.

EVERYONE states that the root cause is not the SS.....how do we convince the dealerships?

 

I've read on a thread here about someone having DW problems with his stocker. After minor tries to fix by the dealer, via SS, new shocks, the Jeeper took the Serv Manager for a ride and experienced the DW first hand. Well now they are welding in new TB upper and axle brackets. So even though they didn't get to the issue immediately, they finally recognized it and is fixing it under warranty and no cost to the Jeeper.

 

A little more info. 2008 jk x 6 speed with 51000 miles. Only mod is a rc 2.5 bb series 2. I'm still running the stock Goodyear sa tires which are pretty worn. I had a few case of what I think is death wobble before the lift was put on. It gas always occured at speeds above 55 mph.