So I experienced death wobble for the first time this weekend. It happened 3 times on our 500 mile trip. After taking the trackbar off once we got home, I noticed that 2 of the 4 holes in the brackets on the Jeep seem to be wallowed out (about 1/16 to 1/8" of movement). Is this enough play to need a fix? I would assume it is, so...

On to fixing the brackets. Do I need to make some plates and weld them on? Or could i just run a bead of welding on the inside of the holes to make them smaller, then drill them out so they are the right size?

Any help is appreciated guys. Thanks!


EDIT:

Fixed them today. Got some nice think washers at ACE hardware and welded them on:



You can see the scoring from the slop in the hole where the bolt has been tightened at different spots.




Yes, we accidentally welded the bolt to the washer lol. But we fixed that pretty easy.





Cost less than $2 to fix. You can see in the 2nd pic how much slack was in my bolt holes. We welded all the way around the washer then throw some paint back over it.

 

I think your best bet would be a weld on reinforcement bracket or i guess you could weld on a couple of thick washers, but i think the bracket would be better.

BTW which holes are wallowed out? the axle side or the frame side?

 

Its the holes that are on the rear side of jeep at both brackets. Welding inside the holes was a bad idea, so ill just make some brackets

 

What else can be done for this problem?

 

I had movement at my trackbar bracket bolts- which in turn caused the steering wheel to be off center. This happened 2 or 3 times after wheelin. I cranked the f*#@ out of the bolts, and haven't had problems since. If that doesn't continue to work, I'll be welding backplates on the brackets with tighter tolerance bolt holes...

 

fixed and added pics

 

You need to replace those threaded bolts. There is another thread on here as to why.

 

CJ do you know what size shouldered bolt is needed?

 

i think ill be good without shoulder bolts as 90% of people don't have an issue with the stock ones, and the fact my bolts were loose is what caused the initial wear.

 

Yeah, did it fix your death wobble or not?
You may have discovered something. People on here always suggest tightening
Down the bolts when some one says " i have death wobble ". I mean we all know some of the welds on the JK are weak and even some of the steel or metal components ( axle C's ) . All im saying is if some more people do as you did and there DW has'nt returned, then? Just curious is all.. Post some results please cause im gonna have a welder weld all tje stock brackets on the JK and might even do what you did..

Hey dirty im in the jonas area glad to know theres another JK around my neck of the woods. Hit me up if you wanna go to rausch creek!