Another post about death wobble

[ChitownKen]

Hi, I have a 2003 TJ SE. The suspension, steering, etc. is all stock. I started getting death wobble a couple years ago but it was very infrequent until about 6 months ago. I took it to the shop and they replaced the u joints. It was only a little better so I took it back and they balanced the tires. It was better but still not fixed so I took it back and they replaced the right side ball joints. It's better but still not fixed. Any ideas on what to do next?? Any help is appreciated.

 

[AndyG]

Start with a dry steering test...have a friend slowly turn the wheel from 10-2 and watch every steering connection.

odds are, it’s the track bar mount at the frame , but can be any loose or worn component(s) up front .

your diagnosis indicates something is working loose.

 

[B34C0N]

Check that the caster is right and you don't need new tie rod ends.

But most likely check the track bar bushing as @AndyG said. Having someone help makes the whole job easier.

 

[JEEPCJTJ]

Hi, I have a 2003 TJ SE. The suspension, steering, etc. is all stock. I started getting death wobble a couple years ago but it was very infrequent until about 6 months ago. I took it to the shop and they replaced the u joints. It was only a little better so I took it back and they balanced the tires. It was better but still not fixed so I took it back and they replaced the right side ball joints. It's better but still not fixed. Any ideas on what to do next?? Any help is appreciated.

Welcome to this forum. My first idea is find another shop.

Fixing death wobble can be a challenge, but if replacing the universal joints was that shop's first attempt to fix the dreaded DW they don't understand it at all.

They also may have only balanced the tires good enough for the average car. Anyone, including Jeep drivers

 

[AndyG]

Welcome to this forum. My first idea is find another shop.

Fixing death wobble can be a challenge, but if replacing the universal joints was that shop's first attempt to fix the dreaded DW they don't understand it at all.

They also may have only balanced the tires good enough for the average car. Anyone, including Jeep drivers

He is telling you like it is...

Death wobble is almost always low tire pressure or out of balanced tires , and to some degree is allowed or exacerbated by worn steering components.... In many cases.

getting into u joints and steering stabilizers in other peripheral things are just guesses.

the bottom line something is shaking the steering and there's not much going on up there but the tires and the steering components.

if you show me someone that can fix death wobble I'll show you someone that can diagnose it.

 

[scottgraham]

Yeah, my kid's had it bad... then he hit the side of a mountain, tore everything off of the bottom of the passenger side. We welded new stuff up. Works like a charm! (Not recommending this method).

 

[Goatman]

If your shop thinks one side needs new ball joints but the other side is fine find a new shop. If one side is worn out the other side is very close to the same. Goes for wheel bearings too. Changing 1 Ujoint on a DS but not the other(s) makes no sense either. Find a new shop that understands how a solid front axle works.

 

[DETOUR]

Hi, I have a 2003 TJ SE. The suspension, steering, etc. is all stock. I started getting death wobble a couple years ago but it was very infrequent until about 6 months ago. I took it to the shop and they replaced the u joints. It was only a little better so I took it back and they balanced the tires. It was better but still not fixed so I took it back and they replaced the right side ball joints. It's better but still not fixed. Any ideas on what to do next?? Any help is appreciated.

Don’t waste your money at this shop any longer, but find a serious JEEPER and he’ll point you in the right direction. As others have mentioned , locating the source of the death wobble is a 2 person job without major tooling and can be done in the shopping mall parking lot of all places


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