Death Wobble question
04-28-2010 | 02:53 PM
#1
Thread Starter
JK Newbie
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Beaver Falls, PA
Death Wobble question
Ok I have a question. I have a 2.5" Pro Comp tuned lift. I can't do anything to get rid of it. I have the cam bolts, adjustable trac bar added onto it and I just can't get it to go away. Any help with getting it to go away before I take it off? I didn't put the adjustable control arms on because I don't want to spend the money. If anyone has any ideas I would be so thankful. Also does anyone else run another lift around that height that doesn't get the death wobble for around the same price. I think the lift was like $500.
04-28-2010 | 03:15 PM
#3
JK Super Freak
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,004
Likes: 0
From: LSU-Death Valley, Louisiana
Ok I have a question. I have a 2.5" Pro Comp tuned lift. I can't do anything to get rid of it. I have the cam bolts, adjustable trac bar added onto it and I just can't get it to go away. Any help with getting it to go away before I take it off? I didn't put the adjustable control arms on because I don't want to spend the money. If anyone has any ideas I would be so thankful. Also does anyone else run another lift around that height that doesn't get the death wobble for around the same price. I think the lift was like $500.
04-28-2010 | 03:38 PM
#6
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 357
Likes: 0
From: New Prague, Mn
Ball Joints! Thats it! I went threw this and it was killing me. Dealer said they couldn't find anything wrong so the replaced SS. Didn't help at all checked ball joint the other night and that was it. to much up and down play
04-28-2010 | 03:42 PM
#7
JK Freak
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 896
Likes: 0
From: Colorado Springs, CO
I put a 2.5 RC BB lift on my JK Unlimited and DW started immediately. At that time I had 33" tires. I spoke with a Teraflex rep at the Moab mfg show who explained that my DW was most likely caused by a decrease in caster angle from the lift. My options where either adjustable control arms that would allow me to increase my caster or installation of larger tires (35s), which according to the rep will have the effect of increasing the caster angle. Wanting larger tires anyway I opted to install 35s while in Moab prior to my trip back to Michigan. DW was instantly gone with the installation of the larger tires and hasn't happed since (over 2 years ago.)
IMO - The JK suspensions are built within certain acceptable tolerances and mine was probably at the extreme, but acceptable, end of the limit. Putting on the lift probably pushed me beyond the limit causing the DW. This is probably why some JKs have no problems with lifts and others do. No 2 vehicles coming off the assembly line are exactly the same, but all are within mfg acceptable limits.
IMO - The JK suspensions are built within certain acceptable tolerances and mine was probably at the extreme, but acceptable, end of the limit. Putting on the lift probably pushed me beyond the limit causing the DW. This is probably why some JKs have no problems with lifts and others do. No 2 vehicles coming off the assembly line are exactly the same, but all are within mfg acceptable limits.
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04-28-2010 | 08:36 PM
#8
JK Junkie
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 2,343
Likes: 1
From: The San Andreas Fault
It's simple to determine if the cam bolts are causing the DW.
Remove the cam bolts completely and inspect the holes for wallowing and the bolts for wear. If both parts are OK replace them and set the Caster angle appropriately. Don't go off road or hit hard bumps and drive for a while. If you still have DW it's not the cam bolts.
Many of us dislike the cam bolts, because they are a poor choice for setting Camber if you go off-road frequently, but they don't inherently cause DW.
Many times when someone has worked on/replaced the track bar, that tends to be a common source.
Another subtle source is worn ball joints.
Remove the cam bolts completely and inspect the holes for wallowing and the bolts for wear. If both parts are OK replace them and set the Caster angle appropriately. Don't go off road or hit hard bumps and drive for a while. If you still have DW it's not the cam bolts.
Many of us dislike the cam bolts, because they are a poor choice for setting Camber if you go off-road frequently, but they don't inherently cause DW.
Many times when someone has worked on/replaced the track bar, that tends to be a common source.
Another subtle source is worn ball joints.
04-29-2010 | 04:53 AM
#9
JK Newbie
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
From: Perth, WA
You shouldn't have to adjust ur camber its you Castor that needs to be altered, stock is 4.5 degrees but when lifted get it set to 6.5. and are you running stick tyres? if so consider changing them because the stock tyres are made from crap and start to deform in heat after 40k on the clock.