I can't count how many times we've come off the trail and heard someone on the CB yell out that they've got death wobble. After pulling over and giving things a quick look to make sure nothing is broken, I have the driver help me perform this simple test.

Turn your key to the ON position but do not start your engine. Have the driver slowly turn the steering wheel to one side and then the other while you keep an eye on the front track bar. 9 out of 10 times, this is the problem...

http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=1456994945009 Some times it's on the frame end and some times it's a blown bushing instead of a loose bolt but the one thing for sure is, the problem is almost always track bar related. Normally, a 21mm socket and a torque wrench set to 125-130 ft. lbs. of torque would be all that you need to fix things up. However, on this Jeep, the mounting hole was pretty wollowed out and we ended up having to tighten the bolt to about 140 ft. lbs. of torque in order to get this Jeep rolling safely again. Once back at home, a washer was welded up to the mount to make it a tight fit again.

 

Great help!!
Thanks

 

great tip, and thanks for sharing

 

This type of info is priceless when trying to get home. thank you SR.

 

Very good info and video, but a quick question. Many times, I read where it said "with your engine off", but in the video, it appears the engine was on? With the engine off, I can hardly get the steering wheel to move much? Or am I wrong?

 

Thanks, Eddie! We just saw this on FB as well.

 

To prevent this from occurring, would it be worthwhile to back the bolts off a bit, add some Red Loctite and torque to specs?

 

The engine you hear is from another jeep nearby. Yes, trying to turn your steering wheel with the engine off takes effort but, you want it that way and you don't need to turn it much to get the track bar moving. In fact, if you're able to turn your steering wheel too freely, this can make it difficult to detect shifting in the track bar especially if the mounting hole is not wallowed out as the movement will be very subtle.

 

if you torque your bolts to spec and check on them on a regular basis, loctite will not be necessary.

 

good video. the one and only time I've ever experienced death wobble it was the track bar. I had just installed an adj track bar on my ZJ and hadn't torqued it down properly. the track bar is the first place I tell ppl to check.