The DEATH WOBBLE database
JK Newbie
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 84
Likes: 0
From: Houston, TX
Year and Model
2007 X 2dr Auto
2. Current Mileage
20.000
3. Approx mileage when DW started
17.000 (When lift was installed)
4. Suspension (OEM, etc. Make sure you list all components like AM trac bar, CAs)
OME Long Travel shocks, OME HD springs, Currie front lower CA's, JKS front and rear trackbars, JKS Discos up front and Currie in the back.
4. Wheel/Tires/spacers
18" Gatlins with 35x12.5 BFG KM2's
5. What measures you have taken to resolve DW
I retourqued all the bolts including the Jam nuts on the trackbars which were loose!
6. What was the"fix" or are you still dealing with it
Retourquing everything fixed it. Have had no issues the last 3000 miles including long trips going as fast as 85mph
2007 X 2dr Auto
2. Current Mileage
20.000
3. Approx mileage when DW started
17.000 (When lift was installed)
4. Suspension (OEM, etc. Make sure you list all components like AM trac bar, CAs)
OME Long Travel shocks, OME HD springs, Currie front lower CA's, JKS front and rear trackbars, JKS Discos up front and Currie in the back.
4. Wheel/Tires/spacers
18" Gatlins with 35x12.5 BFG KM2's
5. What measures you have taken to resolve DW
I retourqued all the bolts including the Jam nuts on the trackbars which were loose!
6. What was the"fix" or are you still dealing with it
Retourquing everything fixed it. Have had no issues the last 3000 miles including long trips going as fast as 85mph
JK Newbie
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
From: Mobile
Solved my DW
1. Year and Model
2007 rubicon Unlimited
2. Current Mileage
65,000
3. Approx mileage when DW started
about 4 months after lift
4. Suspension (OEM, etc. Make sure you list all components like AM trac bar, CAs)
Rancho 4" sport (basically Rancho springs and shocks, relocated stock everything else)
5. Wheel/Tires/spacers
stock wheels, 35's, spider track spacers.
6. What measures you have taken to resolve DW
see #7
7. What was the"fix" or are you still dealing with it
it happened more and more frequently, so i assumed when it got bad enuff, i'd find it.... and i did. The trackbar relocation brackets were very loose letting the front end move... welded bracket in place and NO MORE DEATH!!
this also stopped my skid correction from engaging everytime i rounded a corner...
2007 rubicon Unlimited
2. Current Mileage
65,000
3. Approx mileage when DW started
about 4 months after lift
4. Suspension (OEM, etc. Make sure you list all components like AM trac bar, CAs)
Rancho 4" sport (basically Rancho springs and shocks, relocated stock everything else)
5. Wheel/Tires/spacers
stock wheels, 35's, spider track spacers.
6. What measures you have taken to resolve DW
see #7
7. What was the"fix" or are you still dealing with it
it happened more and more frequently, so i assumed when it got bad enuff, i'd find it.... and i did. The trackbar relocation brackets were very loose letting the front end move... welded bracket in place and NO MORE DEATH!!
this also stopped my skid correction from engaging everytime i rounded a corner...
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 241
Likes: 0
From: Atlanta, GA
[QUOTE=wayoflife;1247053]but, if you look under a stock jk, the draglink and track bars ARE parllel to each other and virtually parallel to the axle. in fact, they are more so than just about every lift kit out there that comes with relocation brackets, flip kits or dropped pitman arms. the only 2 kits that i know of that match factory settings are rancho and aev.
Can anyone say that there is a less chance of having problems if you choose the rancho or aev kit?
Can anyone say that there is a less chance of having problems if you choose the rancho or aev kit?
JK Newbie
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 71
Likes: 0
From: Folsom, CA
Year and Model
2008 X 4dr Auto
2. Current Mileage
16.000
3. Approx mileage when DW started
14.000 (When lift was installed)
4. Suspension (OEM, etc. Make sure you list all components like AM trac bar, CAs)
4in Rancho LA kit with fox shox
4. Wheel/Tires/spacers
20x9 Moto Metal with Toyo M/T 37/13.50/20 1 1/4 spacers
5. What measures you have taken to resolve DW
I retourqued all the bolts on the lift and have tires balanced
6. What was the"fix" or are you still dealing with it
Still dealing with it
Any ideas?
__________________
2008 X 4dr Auto
2. Current Mileage
16.000
3. Approx mileage when DW started
14.000 (When lift was installed)
4. Suspension (OEM, etc. Make sure you list all components like AM trac bar, CAs)
4in Rancho LA kit with fox shox
4. Wheel/Tires/spacers
20x9 Moto Metal with Toyo M/T 37/13.50/20 1 1/4 spacers
5. What measures you have taken to resolve DW
I retourqued all the bolts on the lift and have tires balanced
6. What was the"fix" or are you still dealing with it
Still dealing with it
Any ideas?
__________________
1. replace camber and caster joints
2. 2 way alignment
3. new bolt heads for track bar, sway bar, etc
JK Junkie
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 2,288
Likes: 0
From: Treasure Coast, Florida
i guess that's what i still don't understand. the factory geometery is designed well. in fact, companies like aev have designed their kit to restore the steering geometery to being that of factory. likewise, i personally have driven and know plenty of people with jk's that are lifted and DO NOT have correct steering geometery and NONE have death wobble.
the single biggest factor i have seen as being the cause of DW has been loose track bar bolts (no uncommon after doing a lot of wheeling with extreme articulation). and, if there is a complaint that i have about the factory setup, it's that the factory mounts are very weak - especially the track bar mount at the axle. i have personally seen several of these break and have seen/heard of even more here on the forum. this is especially a problem with people running track bar relocation brackets mounted to the axle and without additional support but i have seen unaltered track bar mounts fail too. and, for the record, i have personally broken a track bar mount at the frame and know that toad has as well. all of these things have lead to DW and once fixed, eliminated DW.
the single biggest factor i have seen as being the cause of DW has been loose track bar bolts (no uncommon after doing a lot of wheeling with extreme articulation). and, if there is a complaint that i have about the factory setup, it's that the factory mounts are very weak - especially the track bar mount at the axle. i have personally seen several of these break and have seen/heard of even more here on the forum. this is especially a problem with people running track bar relocation brackets mounted to the axle and without additional support but i have seen unaltered track bar mounts fail too. and, for the record, i have personally broken a track bar mount at the frame and know that toad has as well. all of these things have lead to DW and once fixed, eliminated DW.
Which ones broke? The fact that my track bar broke off of my front axle has me checking my axle often. Now you say that they brake at the frame too?! Crud...
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 241
Likes: 0
From: Atlanta, GA
Thread Starter
JK Super Freak
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,942
Likes: 1
From: Tampa, Florida
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 103
Likes: 0
Year and Model
2007 X 2dr Auto
2. Current Mileage
Just over 30K
3. Approx mileage when DW started
29K
4. Suspension (OEM, etc. Make sure you list all components like AM trac bar, CAs)
OME HD Kit 3.5"
JKS Adj Track Bar F & R
4. Wheel/Tires/spacers
17X9 ZD Series Addict w/ 35x12.50 KM2s
5. What measures you have taken to resolve DW
I retourqued all the bolts on the lift and have tires balanced
6. What was the"fix" or are you still dealing with it
Balance & Wheel Alignment
My Tie Rod is shot..so will have that replaced too..but the DW has gone
2007 X 2dr Auto
2. Current Mileage
Just over 30K
3. Approx mileage when DW started
29K
4. Suspension (OEM, etc. Make sure you list all components like AM trac bar, CAs)
OME HD Kit 3.5"
JKS Adj Track Bar F & R
4. Wheel/Tires/spacers
17X9 ZD Series Addict w/ 35x12.50 KM2s
5. What measures you have taken to resolve DW
I retourqued all the bolts on the lift and have tires balanced
6. What was the"fix" or are you still dealing with it
Balance & Wheel Alignment
My Tie Rod is shot..so will have that replaced too..but the DW has gone
JK Newbie
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: Kortenhoef, Netherlands
1. Year and Model
Unlimited X stock
2. Current Mileage
37500
3. Approx mileage when DW started
37000
4. Suspension (OEM, etc. Make sure you list all components like AM trac bar, CAs)
All Stock
4. Wheel/Tires/spacers
Stock, 16"
5. What measures you have taken to resolve DW
Not yet, dealership next Wednesday
6. What was the"fix" or are you still dealing with it
replaced steering stabilizer,turned out to be broken and,according to an official Chrysler service memo mounted the wrong way on all models produced before April 07 , dealer installed a new one ,the right way
Unlimited X stock
2. Current Mileage
37500
3. Approx mileage when DW started
37000
4. Suspension (OEM, etc. Make sure you list all components like AM trac bar, CAs)
All Stock
4. Wheel/Tires/spacers
Stock, 16"
5. What measures you have taken to resolve DW
Not yet, dealership next Wednesday
6. What was the"fix" or are you still dealing with it
replaced steering stabilizer,turned out to be broken and,according to an official Chrysler service memo mounted the wrong way on all models produced before April 07 , dealer installed a new one ,the right way
Last edited by Freek; Aug 19, 2009 at 10:40 AM.