Violent Wheel Shake
Thread Starter
JK Newbie
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 72
Likes: 0
From: Pearl River, NY
Have you read my thread?
The answers are in there.
It is probably just a loose trackbar, damaged driver side tie rod end, or bad lower ball joints.
Unfortunately, because you continued to drive it after the 1st manifestation, you may have damaged several other components, wallowed/ovaled out the trackbar bracket holes, cracked the trackbar bracket welds, etc.
Unless the dealer tech reads my thread, I doubt he will correctly diagnose and correct it.
I'd bet that he recommends a heavy duty steering stablizer and that he does not remove the front trackbar to inspect the bracket holes, bushings, and welds.
If other components have been damaged, unless they are all addressed, it will return.
If they just mask it with a heavy duty steering stablizer, it will eventually get worse and may result in the trackbar bracket welds failing--which is very dangerous if it happens at speed because you will loose most of your capacity to steer.
Other than throwing on a steering stabilizer, I highly doubt the dealer will warranty it. It is kind of like driving a vehicle for an extended period after the oil pressure drops. If the engine seizes, they would call it neglect or abuse.
The answers are in there.
It is probably just a loose trackbar, damaged driver side tie rod end, or bad lower ball joints.
Unfortunately, because you continued to drive it after the 1st manifestation, you may have damaged several other components, wallowed/ovaled out the trackbar bracket holes, cracked the trackbar bracket welds, etc.
Unless the dealer tech reads my thread, I doubt he will correctly diagnose and correct it.
I'd bet that he recommends a heavy duty steering stablizer and that he does not remove the front trackbar to inspect the bracket holes, bushings, and welds.
If other components have been damaged, unless they are all addressed, it will return.
If they just mask it with a heavy duty steering stablizer, it will eventually get worse and may result in the trackbar bracket welds failing--which is very dangerous if it happens at speed because you will loose most of your capacity to steer.
Other than throwing on a steering stabilizer, I highly doubt the dealer will warranty it. It is kind of like driving a vehicle for an extended period after the oil pressure drops. If the engine seizes, they would call it neglect or abuse.
I'm going to try and get the tech guy to take a look at your thread. I already told him to search "Jeep Death Wobble" on google. I think these guys just "yes" you when you try and get them to go out of there way a little bit though.
JK Super Freak
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,529
Likes: 1
From: Austin, TX
Update again:
Just spoke with Chrysler service tech. Said he's never heard of the problem and he couldn't find any TSB with regards to a front end wobble. Made an appointment for tomorrow, he said he would ask around. I told him to just Google "death wobble."
Just spoke with Chrysler service tech. Said he's never heard of the problem and he couldn't find any TSB with regards to a front end wobble. Made an appointment for tomorrow, he said he would ask around. I told him to just Google "death wobble."
I know your mechanic buddy looked at it, but I'm still betting there's a track bar problem. Did he remove the blots and check for wallowing? And did he verify that they're torqued to 125 lb/ft? That's actually a ton of torque for a bolt and it can only be verified with a torque wrench. Visual inspection is not sufficient here. Sorry.
Last edited by JK-Tex; Aug 9, 2010 at 09:27 AM.
Thread Starter
JK Newbie
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 72
Likes: 0
From: Pearl River, NY
Lies lies lies! Some day, stock DW is going to kill somebody and Chrysler is gonna have a massive lawsuit on their hands.
I know your mechanic buddy looked at it, but I'm still betting there's a track bar problem. Did he remove the blots and check for wallowing? And did he verify that they're torqued to 125 lb/ft? Visual inspection is not sufficient here. Sorry.
I know your mechanic buddy looked at it, but I'm still betting there's a track bar problem. Did he remove the blots and check for wallowing? And did he verify that they're torqued to 125 lb/ft? Visual inspection is not sufficient here. Sorry.
With regards to Chrysler...I can't believe this isn't a recall. And I agree, there is no way the tech hasn't heard of it.
Last edited by Frank19; Aug 9, 2010 at 09:45 AM.
JK Newbie
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: london
Guys there is a recall on this which came out in march, its the steering dampener. the first jk's were all built with really thin bad quality steering dampeners...once the problem starts, its intermittent. Every so often when you hit a pothole or bump the steering will violently shake. Alot of people have got this fixed, i didnt know about it until Steve from FTE 4X4 Specialist in london told me I had the old steering dampener and that I should get it replaced under recall, i told him i just had my jeep serviced and the dealer didnt mention anything....so only today when I called the dealer they said their not sure why they didnt tell me this on my service they must have overlooked it but now they are happy to book me in for the recall.
Steve from FTE 4X4 really knows his stuff and has been building jeeps for over 15 years or so...honestly guys there are other JK owners with exactly the same problems and i've also read about in other forums.....i.ve just got my jeep booked in today........
Steve from FTE 4X4 really knows his stuff and has been building jeeps for over 15 years or so...honestly guys there are other JK owners with exactly the same problems and i've also read about in other forums.....i.ve just got my jeep booked in today........
Thread Starter
JK Newbie
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 72
Likes: 0
From: Pearl River, NY
Guys there is a recall on this which came out in march, its the steering dampener. the first jk's were all built with really thin bad quality steering dampeners...once the problem starts, its intermittent. Every so often when you hit a pothole or bump the steering will violently shake. Alot of people have got this fixed, i didnt know about it until Steve from FTE 4X4 Specialist in london told me I had the old steering dampener and that I should get it replaced under recall, i told him i just had my jeep serviced and the dealer didnt mention anything....so only today when I called the dealer they said their not sure why they didnt tell me this on my service they must have overlooked it but now they are happy to book me in for the recall.
Steve from FTE 4X4 really knows his stuff and has been building jeeps for over 15 years or so...honestly guys there are other JK owners with exactly the same problems and i've also read about in other forums.....i.ve just got my jeep booked in today........
Steve from FTE 4X4 really knows his stuff and has been building jeeps for over 15 years or so...honestly guys there are other JK owners with exactly the same problems and i've also read about in other forums.....i.ve just got my jeep booked in today........
JK Super Freak
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,529
Likes: 1
From: Austin, TX
I agree with everything said above except this: the trackbar mounts and bolt holes should be quite a bit beefier than they were when they leave the factory, and I see this as a design flaw. Wallowing occurs far too easily and when it does happen your only reliable fix is to weld on a large aftermarket reinforcing brace.
Making the mounts (a) beefier or (b) repairable would be a significant design improvement.
Making the mounts (a) beefier or (b) repairable would be a significant design improvement.
Thread Starter
JK Newbie
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 72
Likes: 0
From: Pearl River, NY
What frustrates me is that there is no valid reason why I should be having trackbar issues with a 2 year-old, bone-stock Jeep with 90% highway miles and very little off-roading. If my Jeep were lifted, or had seen any heavy off-road use it would be a different story. Neither I, nor any mechanics I've used have touched the track bar or any other front end bolts. If they were not adequately tightened during production then there is a flaw in their quality control and Jeep should fix any damage under warranty IMO.
JK Newbie
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From: Iceland
Death wooble
Hi.
I have a similar problem although my shake doesn't stop unless i slow down, driving at 55-60 and hitting a pothole and i get violent wheel shake, it has happened 4 times now.
My JK is a 2007 with 47xxx miles and a 2" BB.
Earlier tonight(live in Iceland) i put it up on a lift to check this thing out, i did all the things planman so well describes and when i took the trackbar out i found what i hope is my problem, the holes on the axle bracket were close to 16mm but the bolt is 14mm.
I plan on welding support on the bracket with a 14mm bolthole.
Hopefully the pic below shows something.
Stefan
I have a similar problem although my shake doesn't stop unless i slow down, driving at 55-60 and hitting a pothole and i get violent wheel shake, it has happened 4 times now.
My JK is a 2007 with 47xxx miles and a 2" BB.
Earlier tonight(live in Iceland) i put it up on a lift to check this thing out, i did all the things planman so well describes and when i took the trackbar out i found what i hope is my problem, the holes on the axle bracket were close to 16mm but the bolt is 14mm.
I plan on welding support on the bracket with a 14mm bolthole.
Hopefully the pic below shows something.
Stefan
Last edited by billi; Aug 9, 2010 at 02:48 PM.
JK Jedi
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 4,470
Likes: 1
From: Westchester, NY
What frustrates me is that there is no valid reason why I should be having trackbar issues with a 2 year-old, bone-stock Jeep with 90% highway miles and very little off-roading. If my Jeep were lifted, or had seen any heavy off-road use it would be a different story. Neither I, nor any mechanics I've used have touched the track bar or any other front end bolts. If they were not adequately tightened during production then there is a flaw in their quality control and Jeep should fix any damage under warranty IMO.
JK Jedi
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 4,470
Likes: 1
From: Westchester, NY
Also I HIGHLY recommend anyone with death wobble file a complaint here before someone is killed..
http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/ivoq/
http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/ivoq/