I got my Jeep into the shop today for a full inspection of the front end to locate the source of a wheel shimmy I've been dealing with. It all started with rotating my tires. After rotation, the tires needed to be balanced. After getting them balanced, this shimmy showed up. It happens about 5%-10% of the time I come to an abrupt stop. Anyway, Firestone could not replicate the problem. The only diagnosis I got was a leaking factory steering stabilizer. I'll buy that. At least I would like to believe that is the only issue. So I've ordered a Rough Country dual steering stabilizer. I guess the purpose of this post is to see if anyone else has had a steering stabilizer issue, and what sort of problems did it give you. Any feedback is appreciated!

- Russ

 

The steering stabilzer wont "fix" the shimmy issue, it will just hide it if anything. You should be able to drive your Jeep with no steer stab and have no signs of steering shimmy/wobble/dw

 

A steering stabilizer only serves to mask an already existing problem. I doubt it is the cause of your shimmy.

 

Its hard to tell because I haven't been in your jeep obviously, but my death wobble started out like a small shimmy, especially when I hit a bump or something. I fixed my death wobble by replacing the stock tie rod bolts with larger grade 8's and torqued em down to about 125...easy fix. So maybe have someone jerk the wheel back and forth and see if those bolts jiggle, if so, theres your culprit!

 

as mentioned, a steering stabilizer won't fix anything. if anything, i would pull yours off to help you track down what the cause of your shimmy is.

 

I didn't think that was the problem either. I spoke with a guy at Rough Country earlier about the problem when I ordered it and he said he would start at the stabilizer as well. Of course he said that. Nothing has ever been replaced on the front end other than the springs and shocks. Ball joints perhaps? I know that wayoflife has suggested it's an issue with the axle, scary. I'm a recently unemployed firefighter due to a newly devoloped seizure disorder, dont know what Ill do if it comes down to something that serious. I guess I need to take it in to a shop that doesnt say Firestone on the front. This is really getting old you guys I don't know where to start. I've inspected the front end and all looks good! Bad tire perhaps? Ahhhhh!

 

Put your tires back in original position, see if the shimmy moves or goes away. If not, take them elsewhere to get balanced. I would start with this since after your rotation and bal the shimmy showed up.

 

Check to make sure your wheel stud retainers are all removed so that the wheel is seated properly . if not it can cause a shimmy.

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I'm about order a Rough Country adjustable front track bar, but before I do, should I add this to the order?http://roughcountry.com/jeep-jk-cont...tion_1106.html Rough Country front control arm relocation brackets. Do these look sturdy? I know they'll help with caster, but how tough are they? I can't afford new control arms so if anything is done to them this would be it.

 

Too late I already ordered them. I hope I don't get any negative feedback after the fact. I also hope these three upgrades help to tame my JK. I'm taking it in to Just Jeeps in Austin after I install them for an alignment and tire balance.