So my 2011 JKU with rock krawler stock mod kit (2.5") has been fine or the last 2 years excluding this terrible creaking noise I believe comes from the heim joint on the track bar. It's been going on for a long time and jus getting worse. Only happens when I make right turns. I think that is an easy fix I'm just lazy and haven't bought a new heim end.


Anyway, the ride has been pulling to the right a bit and I decided to try and adjust that myself and recenter the steering wheel as well. After doing that, whenever I hit a decent bump like a sewer grate at highway speeds, I get 1-3 seconds of rather violent shaking felt through the steering wheel and actually noticeable that the entire ride shakes.

Should I just take it for a pro alignment or is this just a coincidence and something worse is occurring?

 

:( anyone?

 

Death wobble would occur while driving down the highway at faster speeds. Sounds to me like some part of your suspension is quickly wearing out, ball joiny maybe?

 

If the joint on your trackbar is going I would check that first.

 

double check your alignment and then take out the track bar bolt and see if the hole has worn larger, if it has you may need to weld some grade8 washers and use I think a 9/16 bolt to get it all tight again. If the hole still looks round, check how the bolt fits, if loose use a 9/16 bolt to replace it.

This may help, it's 2 parts:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9uQwlmlhiF4 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ii81V7XYr-k

 

I can't decide what to do here.

If I go for an allignment, and that isn't the problem, won't I need an additional allignment after fixing the source? I don't really want to pay twice...

How likely is it that this is a ball joint issue? My JKU has 40,000 miles now.

 

From what you describe the issue as, an alignment is not going to solve it. All they will "align" for you there is set your toe correctly. If you have a short and violent shake then most likely you've got a component worn out.

If you do need to replace a joint on your track bar then you can get an alignment if you really want to, but all that's going to do is center the axle under your jeep. Similar story with a bad drag link- alignment isn't what they put as a line item to correct that measurement. The place where you would see an alignment benefit is if you changed out your tie rod ends and didn't get perfect measurements.


Seriously check out the two videos and it should help you figure out where your shake is. If you can't then take it to the shop for driveability issues, not an alignment.

Sent from my DROID4 using Tapatalk 4

 

I did have the creaking sound myself when I made right turns and I replaced the track bar which fixed it. I get that slight shake on bumps also. I did get an alignment after the track bar swap and it helped a little

 

Squeaking has nothing to do with your alignment.

What to do:

1-watch the videos
2-diagnose the source(s) of the problem
3-fix the source(s) of the problem

 

I had the 1-3 sec wobble for a while and my gf was getting annoyed because i kept "thinking" i had death wobble.....believe me U WILL KNOW when it's death wobble....but ur on ur way to it.....my slight wobble suddenly turned into death wobble....it rig will be COMPLETELY uncontrollable. It's scary. If it already having track bar problems odds are is that....that's what mine was