Death wobble at 45mph

[cehernandez]

Jeep Tj 2004 2.4l 130k miles.

So far I've installed a 2.5" JKS lift kit that includes an Adjustable Track bar, quick release sway bar linkage, a 2" rear track bar adjustment bracket.
I also got the jeep aligned, tires balanced, Steering Stabilizer changed.

What do i need to replace to have this issue gone? Is it my ball bearings?

 

[glowell222]

Check your upper and lower ball joints on both sides.

 

[Jeffried]

Check your brakes maybe. My front brake caliper was seizing and @45+mph the rotor would start to warp

 

[cehernandez]

Check your brakes maybe. My front brake caliper was seizing and @45+mph the rotor would start to warp

I had those check too, all good

 

[cehernandez]

Check your upper and lower ball joints on both sides.

Check your upper and lower ball joints on both sides.

Is there any brand that you recommend? I think im just going to start replacing all ball joints and bushings

 

[Cooper Smith]

Thread 'Still having death wobble issues'

Nov 22, 2023

Hey guys. Still having death wobble issues. There’s no play in any components. I have replaced the track bar, hubs, and rotors (spacers were seized to hubs). Walmart did my new tires and balancing in august, don’t flame me lol, and I had an alignment done at a tire shop. It still had a little bit of a shuffle when you hit bumps a certain way, but now it has come back. I have taken my spacers off (2 in spring lift) and now are on stock wheels. The stock wheels get death wobble more, but they’re old and have bead weights and are a little corroded. I have an appointment to get new tires...

• Cooper Smith
• Replies: 87
• Forum: TJ General Discussion

Learn from my misery.

 

[cehernandez]

Thread 'Still having death wobble issues'

Nov 22, 2023

Hey guys. Still having death wobble issues. There’s no play in any components. I have replaced the track bar, hubs, and rotors (spacers were seized to hubs). Walmart did my new tires and balancing in august, don’t flame me lol, and I had an alignment done at a tire shop. It still had a little bit of a shuffle when you hit bumps a certain way, but now it has come back. I have taken my spacers off (2 in spring lift) and now are on stock wheels. The stock wheels get death wobble more, but they’re old and have bead weights and are a little corroded. I have an appointment to get new tires...

• Cooper Smith
• Replies: 87
• Forum: TJ General Discussion

Learn from my misery.

I'm getting a RockJock Steering system, the guys in the reviews talk about house it eliminates the death wobble. One guy even saying he no longer drives in fear. I'll be hopefully installing it this weekend. I'll also be replacing the ball joints upper and lower

 

[Cooper Smith]

I'm getting a RockJock Steering system, the guys in the reviews talk about house it eliminates the death wobble. One guy even saying he no longer drives in fear. I'll be hopefully installing it this weekend. I'll also be replacing the ball joints upper and lower

Don't throw parts at it. 2/3 of my thread was people arguing about how steering stabilizers don't cause DW (they don't, but it seems they can). So you can't trust reviews. Get your tires balanced.

 

[cehernandez]

Don't throw parts at it. Get your tires balanced.

They are I've done twice

 

[Cooper Smith]

They are I've done twice

Were they balanced perfectly? You have a (now) lifted, short wheelbase, SFA vehicle. A perfect balance is critical. Have you done a dry steering test?

 

[cehernandez]

They are I've done twice

I did at wheel works and at some

Were they balanced perfectly? You have a (now) lifted, short wheelbase, SFA vehicle. A perfect balance is critical. Have you done a dry steering test?

I have not

 

[Cooper Smith]

I did at wheel works and at some

I have not

I ended up having to go to Discount Tire to get a proper balance. Lifting just changes everything, and tire issues are one of the main (arguably the main) instigators of DW. Advice from me, which was courtesy of Jerry.

 

[cehernandez]

I ended up having to go to Discount Tire to get a proper balance. Lifting just changes everything, and tire issues are one of the main (arguably the main) instigators of DW. Advice from me, which was courtesy of Jerry.

Ill do the dry test, I know my bushings on my upper are worn out i replaced my lower control arms and all my ball joints have holes in the jacket(?)

 

[Cooper Smith]

Ill do the dry test, I know my bushings on my upper are worn out i replaced my lower control arms and all my ball joints have holes in the jacket(?)

Upper bushings will 100% cause DW. Especially immediately after a lift (steering angles and caster change). If the ball joint boots are torn, they could be worn out too. Dirt will get in there and wear them out quickly as the grease is contaminated over time. Jack it up, put a long crowbar under the tire, and lift up and down fairly hard. Look for play in the ball joints. Having a second set of hands or even setting your phone up while you crank on the crowbar helps.

If you already found play, that's part of or the sole cause. It doesn't take much of anything to start DW on a SFA rig.

 

[cehernandez]

Upper bushings will 100% cause DW. Especially immediately after a lift (steering angles and caster change). If the ball joint boots are torn, they could be worn out too. Dirt will get in there and wear them out quickly as the grease is contaminated over time. Jack it up, put a long crowbar under the tire, and lift up and down fairly hard. Look for play in the ball joints. Having a second set of hands or even setting your phone up while you crank on the crowbar helps.

If you already found play, that's part of or the sole cause. It doesn't take much of anything to start DW on a SFA rig.

Ill get my upper control arms replaced, and check for the play on the wheels thank you

 

[JMT]

Jeep Tj 2004 2.4l 130k miles.

So far I've installed a 2.5" JKS lift kit that includes an Adjustable Track bar, quick release sway bar linkage, a 2" rear track bar adjustment bracket.
I also got the jeep aligned, tires balanced, Steering Stabilizer changed.

What do i need to replace to have this issue gone? Is it my ball bearings?

View attachment 615305

We don't know. You need to do a dry steering test with the Jeep running on the ground (have someone steer 10 to 2 back and forth). Look for any side to side movement. Check your torque specs. Check your ball joints by raising one tire and wedging a lever under it and seeing how much play you have. You should have no side to side. Some up and down is ok. It's a process. Check your alignment. YOu should be toed in 1/16-1/8" at 24". See the align your own TJ resource. Check your tire balance because that is a DW trigger.

 

[TheBoogieman]

I'm getting a RockJock Steering system, the guys in the reviews talk about house it eliminates the death wobble.

 

[cehernandez]

View attachment 615344

I see glad I posted it

 

[cehernandez]

I see glad I posted it

My thought process was that ince its beefier than stock and its coming with new ball joints it would help or eliminate DW. Most if not all my bushings are cracked.
Looking like this

 

[TheBoogieman]

Is there any brand that you recommend? I think im just going to start replacing all ball joints and bushings

Spicer brand for ball joints.