I've had a slight (not quite) death wobble for a while now. All consumable parts are new and upgraded in the front axle. After many times checking/replacing and rechecking I've finally come to the conclusion that my problem has migrated to the sector shaft.

Is there rebuild kits for the steering box? Or do I have to buy a new one? I have found them on eBay for like $400 but that's about it. I thought about replacing it with an HD box but don't have twice that kind of cash to throw down at this point.

 

with your engine off, if you have someone try to turn your steering wheel left and then right, can you physically see your pitman arm shifting up and down on the sector shaft? if not, your problem is not there. i should add that if anything, this would only cause really sloppy steering and NOT a wobble.

having said all that, there really is no such thing as a "slight" death wobble - you either have it or you don't. if your wobble is speed related, you should have your tires rebalanced.

 

I have balance beads (and have for a very long time with no issues I might add) so I don't think it's a balance problem. When the car is running and I have a friend turn the steering wheel back and forth, the sector shaft shifts side to side maybe 1/4" or so. From my many years of rock crawling I have never seen that.

All my steering joints are basically brand new as well as all ball joints. Both ends of the track bar were replaced not too long ago as well and torqued and have recently rechecked (I recently did a front axle overhaul). The caster is within spec. And all the control arm mounting points have been loosened and re-torqued with the full weight of the jeep on the ground.

 

well, i guess i didn't quite ask the question before so i'll ask it now, IS your wobble speed related or, do you have it all the time? if it's speed related, i will say again, it is most likely a tire balancing issue. if you have problems with your sector shaft, you WILL NOT have wobbling problems - you will have sloppy steering problems.

 

It is speed related. 40-45MPH. Before that/after that it's fine. If the tires re balance themselves every time I'm not quite sure I get why it would be a balancing issue? Like I said. I've used the tire beads for quite some time now with no issue until recently.

 

Does the JK just have a loose sector shaft to begin with? I don't feel "sloppy steering" just the slight shimmy. I've never seen a sector shaft flex like that. But I've never looked at my JK's sector shaft until I started having issues.



BTW, I'm running 3.5 Rock Krawler mid arm flex kit with 37's and 4.88's

 

like you just said, "until recently". you can have all the faith you want in your balancing beads but clearly, they are not working now. need proof? you have a speed related wobble. ditch your balancing beads and get your tires balanced and i can almost guarantee that your wobble will go away.

 

i will say again, IF you have a loose sector shaft, you will know it because your steering will be really sloppy. when driving down the road, you will feel like a drunk driver. now, i'm not saying that you don't have some kind of a problem with your sector shaft because i can't see what you're referring to but, i can assure you that a loose one WILL NOT "cause" a slight shimmy.

 

I don't have death wobble or shimmy, just a bit more "slop" in the steering than I would like. Mine's an 08 so I know it's rebuildable. Where can I find an exploded view so I know what parts to order and maybe instructions for the rebuild? Has anybody done this?