Hi everyone. 2012 Jeep Wrangler Sport unlimited. 2in leveling lift. 2in spacers. 35in tires. Aftermarket track bar.
I​​​​​​ was pulling out of a parking lot into an icy road yesterday in 4wd and hit a dry spot with the wheels turned left. I felt it catch pretty hard. At about 30mph it started wobbling. I thought I had a flat but realized I have a very visibley noticable toe out. I drove about 3 miles today and the passenger side front wheel started making started making a knocking noise and the wobble is at about 15mph now. There is about a foot of snow outside so I can't really get under it to look or jack it up but trying to figure out what to do about it over the weekend. Any ideas what may have happened??? Thanks in advance!

 

Sounds like a lot of lift but the knock down in that area sounds like maybe you've torn up a u-joint there. It should be easy to spot.

 

The visible toe out all of the sudden would concern me more. Would definitely take a look at that before driving it anymore. Wobbling wouldn't be caused by a u-joint, the clicking yes.

 

Yeah, I'd be concerned about not just the U-joint, but the associated axle hardware. It shouldn't be difficult to find ...

https://cdn.drivingline.com/media/23...ata=true&w=400

 

I don't have fenders so this is accentuated even more on my jeep, but I think in general even when the toe is correct it appears as toe-out. With no fenders it's a very wonky look the way the body actually curves in a good bit. What OP could be noticing is just an optical illusion (even with fenders).

What TB in particular do you have? Only ask as I'm curious about the specific joints. Ball joints been replaced? Any other steering components been replaced or is everything factory? These are relevant to wobble issues. Is the reaction any different in 2WD vs 4H?

 

Are you asking Me?
I think I have the JKS HD Adjustable TB Wrangler JK HD Adjustable Track Bar | Wrangler Trackbar | JK Track Bar (jksmfg.com) if not the HD I have the the other. I went with StinkyFab tie-rod and a OEM RHD drag-link flip.. No ball joint replacement Yet. Still not sure if you are asking me. Haha
OP stated noticeable toe out after said incident, that's why the concern. Could be optical.

 

Sorry, no. I was just commenting about that toe out being concerning, then asking the OP about the other stuff....or at least that was my intent.

 

Thank you all for your advice. I'm thinking maybe just replace all of these things and then get an alignment. Not too expensive. Possibly the U joint as well. Everything is original stock as of now other than the track bar. Honestly can't remember what brand i replaced it with. Rough country I believe.

 

Know nothing about these parts, but as they say "You get what you pay for".. Good luck..

 

Please don't purchase that. We have good quality ball joints available for the JK and as much fun as they are to replace, you don't want to be doing it every six months. Tie rod can be in the same boat- using the stock replacement isn't a great option as you've got to replace half of the bar for the passenger side end. The drag link usually doesn't go bad out of nowhere. It'll be worn or bent, usually from pushing it where it doesn't want to go.

Take a minute to evaluate your parts (even though there's snow out) before you just throw cheap parts at it. Surely there's a car wash bay in town where you can jack up the front tires and check the ball joints and u-joints.