What's Up From Indiana

[Gunner83]

Whats going on Guys! A little about myself I guess......Well Currently I reside in Indiana. I am married and have 4 kids. I am a Veteran.I was a Gunnersmate in the Navy but have recently retired.I am retired young though. Joined the Navy when I was 17, did 14 years then snapped a disc in my back on my deployment to Iraq in 2009 so I got medically retired.If your good with math you can probablly guess my age...lol.
I am the proud new owner of my very first Jeep Wrangler as of 01/04/16. I have always wanted a Jeep and finally purchased one.My father who died of cancer last year had a jeep also and was the one who sparked my interests in jeeps. So the purchase of one had some sentimental reasoning behind it also.The Jeep is a 2005 Wrangler Se. Figured I'd find a group of enthusiast to point me in the right direction as far as mods or what to expect maintenance wise. Seeing as I am new to the world of Jeeps I however did not know everything to look for when getting a jeep. I unfortunately think I have the death wobble. Going to see what I can find out today. If you have any advice or experience all input is welcome. Thanks & God Bless!

 

[Chris]

Welcome to the forum! That's a good looking TJ you have. If it was me the first thing I would do to diagnose death wobble is have someone get in the vehicle and turn the steering wheel back and forth (with the vehicle on) as many times as possible. Have them do that kind of fast as well, and while they do be underneath the front of the vehicle watching the steering components while looking and listening for sound.

If there are any components with play you'll easily be able to spot them most of the time. I had death wobble and did this same thing and it turned out to be the track bar bolts not being tight enough. It was very easy to spot when someone was turning the steering for me.

 

[Gunner83]

I appreciate it buddy! Gonna work on it tomorrow.

 

[Chris]

I appreciate it buddy! Gonna work on it tomorrow.

Let us know what you find!

 

[Bermudacat]

Nice looking Jeep!

 

[Gunner83]

Let us know what you find!

Well 3 weeks later and the dealership has tried installing a new steering stabilizer, mopar suspension kit, 2 different sets of shocks, 2 different size tires, new ball joints, anything suspension related and the jeep dealership still can't figure it out. Jeep may just throw in the towel and buy it back from me.

 

[Chris]

The first thing I would check is the track bar bolt torques as well as inspect the track bar bolt holes.

 

[Ron505]

Welcome, and congrats I guess? What Chris said, and check tie rod ends too!

 

[Gunner83]

The first thing I would check is the track bar bolt torques as well as inspect the track bar bolt holes.

Supposedly the track bar was replaced. I left a message earlier about checking the bolt holes. I won't know anything more to next week. The salesman who sold me the Jeep said that the Jeep dealership they sent the vehicle to has tried everything under the sun and they are about ready to throw in the towel.
Its looking grim if its at a Jeep dealership and the guys there can't figure it out after almost a month.

 

[Chris]

Those sound like some horrible techs. Make sure that track bar (and the mounts) are inspected very thoroughly as well as torqued to the right specs.

Also, the tie rod ends as well.

 

[Gunner83]

Well the death wobble is fixed. They said it was the ball joints...supposedly it was one of the first things they checked but somehow missed it. The death wobble appears to be fixed. I ran over every bump at very different speeds from 40mph-80mph trying to see if it occurs again and it didn't. There is however a slight rattling noise now coming from the front right wheel area though. Very slight but noticeable enough to be annoying to me. I don't think I am going to take it back there though. The dealership is almost 2hrs away from me and their techs really did not make a good impression on me.

 

[Chris]

Well, at least they fixed it. But, I have to say if it took a dealership that long to figure it out, that wouldn't leave a goof taste in my mouth either. I'd probably find an independent shop to take it to that specializes in Jeeps (if possible).