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Colorado Jeep Forum From On The Rocks Jeep Club

Author Thread: Anyone familiar with the 'Death Wobble?"
donnagail
Anyone familiar with the 'Death Wobble?"
Posted: Thursday, July 31, 2008 5:43 PM (PST)

Summer 2007 I put a 3.5" lift on my TJ. Since then it has had a slight chimmy around 40mph. A couple of weeks ago I took it into a local 4X4 shop to have the chimmy fixed. They changed out the traction rod. Took it on a trip a couple hours away and during the trip at 55mph the steering wheel starting shacking violently and it felt like the entire car was about to fall apart. Had to come almost to a complete stop before it would stop. Took it back in to the 4X4 shop. They said there was 'more play' in it than they wanted so they changed it out a second time.

 

We drove from Co.Sprg.to Ouray last weekend and spend the weekend trail riding. No problems. Then we hit a bump in the road near Gunnison and the dealth wobble was back. The BF Goodrich place changed out the steering wheel rod and said that should fix our problem and get us home. Which it did. Today, on I-25 at about 55mph I experienced the death wobble again. Has anyone else ever had this problem and know what is causing this to happen. I'm getting nervous about even driving it anymore. Not ready to die yet. Any suggestions?


Comments:

Author Thread:
twillis724
Anyone familiar with the 'Death Wobble?"
Posted: Friday, August 01, 2008 3:23 PM (PST)
I can not speak specifically about your problem as you are driving a TJ.  All the recent talk about the "death wobble" has been about the 07 JK problems.  When lifted more stress was put on the track bar brackets and they were failing left and right.  Just look on any JK forum and you will see numerous tales of dirty underware caused by the wobble (mine included).  You might check out the trackbar for tightness.  Sorry I can't help more but you have one of the least mechanical members answering you.  I know what you mean when you talk about a near death experience.  I hope you find the problem.  What 4X4 shop were you using?

Roy
Anyone familiar with the 'Death Wobble?"
Posted: Friday, August 01, 2008 3:24 PM (PST)
How's your steering shock? 

GaryS
Anyone familiar with the 'Death Wobble?"
Posted: Saturday, August 02, 2008 10:59 AM (PST)

I remember the Death Wobble.   That was a dance back in the 60s.    lol

 

I had it with my 04 Rubicon right after I lifted it.    The solution was very simple.   At around 40 MPH the front end would begin to shake violently.   If I let off the gas and slowed down to below 40 it went away.    If I powered through the wobble and reached over 55 MPH it would also go away.   But doing that was scary.    It also would happen sometimes, and on certain roads, when I slowed down from higher speeds to around 45-40.

I took the jeep in to Big O tires and they did a wheel balance and rotation.   That was the cure!

 

 

DLandin
Anyone familiar with the 'Death Wobble?"
Posted: Wednesday, August 06, 2008 7:21 PM (PST)
Steering shock! I thought it was an out of balance wheel, had them balanced, Thought it was the alignment, had it aligned, replaced a blown steering shock (literally fell apart in my hands)! stabilizer. no more wobble!

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