For a while now I have been struggling with trying fixing the death wobble problem in my jeep. Its a completely stock 2007 unlimited x with 118,000 miles. First I torqued down all the front end suspension components. This didn't help. I replaced the stabilizer and it bandaged it for a while but then it came back. I dropped the track bar and inspected it and it seemed to check out. So I took it to a very reputable front end/alignment shop in town. I described the problem and he said he sees it all the time. They checked everything over and determined the tie rod ends were the problem. I replaced all four ends my self and then took it back for alignment and they road force balanced the tires and wheels as well. This still didn't fix the problem. Most recently I bought a track bar off of ebay, it was a take off from a new jeep (less than 100 miles on it) that had a lift installed at the dealership. I put that on today and I still get death wobble. I'm thinking tires next maybe, they a good year wranglers and they are slightly chopped up. I spoke to a guy at a off road shop and he doesn't think the tires could cause this. I will lose my mind if I can't get this figured out... that or I'm seriously considering selling the jeep. Any help/suggestions. Thanks!!

Scott

 

From what i've read, if you take too long before replacing your track bar bolts there is a good chance that the stock bolts have warped the actual bolt holes. So replacing your track bar bolts won't help you without first replacing/repairing your track bar bolt holes. Here's a link to the thread about replacing them: https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/jk-talk-26/importance-changing-out-stock-track-bar-lower-control-arm-bolts-210051/
There are a couple of youtube video's out there as well that show comparisons of what can happen, since you've replaced all the relevant parts (tires not being one of the relevant parts), I would take a hard look at the bolt holes to make sure they're not causing dw...

 

i had death wobble a few years ago, replaced stabilizer and it went away for 2 years , came back worse than ever last spring ( real bad), i put new tires on and have had no problem since, been a year now

 

Scott, without going into great detail I had the same feelings on my 08 and had only 45k miles. I replaced the ball joints... no more death wobble in the last 8K miles. I know the shop should be able to determine if it has bad ball joints but then you have done just about everything else. Get some good quality aftermarket units with a lifetime waranty, hope this helps. Good luck! // RR

 

Scott,

Started out the same way with the track bar, bolts, then replaced the ball joints, then control arm bushing (helped), new shocks and finally the replacement of the track bar with synergy track bar bracket/sector shaft brace.

Think the control arm bushing were going on mine and was the most noticeable improvement. Shocks just needed an excuse for the wife. I'd leave that stabilizer shock off, so you could to find the problem sooner, if you can do it at a safe speed.

Keep us posted

Ed

 

Check frame and axle track bar mount holes for wallowing.

Check your ball joints.

Check your control arm bushings. Not just retorque but remove bolt(one at a time) and check the bushings for wear.

 

I had a wicked death wobble on my 1999 wrangler and again on my 2006 wrangler X (40000 mi) the 99 was easy to diagnose, it was broken sway bar links that was easily visible. The X was a pain after much inspection the sway bar links were broke but when the jeep was at rest it looked fine (it was seating like nothing was wrong). I replaced that and the track bar (with a bolt that actually fits) still had the wobble. The sway bar link break was due to other issues mentioned below. I checked the ball joints, tie rods and found no slop....had my friend check them as well and then had the dealer check them. no one could find anything. I then tried the steering stabilizer for the hell of it. Still wobble. Long story longer....after three months of a wobble that made the jeep not driveable, I replaced the control arm bushings with poly and it instantly went away. The bushings were the cheapest of the parts and I wish I had started there because it was a great upgrade anyway

 

Check those ball joints.Hows your tire pressure?Try rotate your tires.Check your pitman arm,make sure the nut is tight.We had this problem on our '07 ended up being the tires

 

Well I just watched PlanMans youtube videos. I know I have a little play up and down with my ball joints. I thought a little up and down play was normal... I guess not. I'm also going to get the 9/16 bolts for the track bar. When I had the track bar off today I didn't notice the bolt holes being ovaled out yet. Replacing the track bar bolts and ball joints are next on the agenda. Probably in the order with a test drive in between to see what the actual problem is.

Tire pressure is normal, everyone I talk to tells me that chopped and cupped tires can't cause this. I think they are wearing unevenly because of the death wobble. My tires aren't terrible but will probably need replaced in the next year or so. I guess I'll find out after I replace all this stuff.

On a side note, how do you guys torque the upper frame side control arms bolts, I remember last time I couldn't fit my torque wrench up there with a socket attached and I ended up just wrenching down on it as much as I could with a box-end wrench. Thank you to everyone who has posted, I really appreciate the help. I'll update this as I fix stuff and hopefully solve my problem.

Scott

 

If you are on steelies it may be worth checking them to make sure they aren't warped. Put the truest two wheels on the front (sounds like you are close to tire replacement, so let's momentarily toss tire rotation out the window) and see if you have death wobble.