1997 Jeep TJ death wobble

[myjeep3]

I am investigating a death wobble issue on my 97 TJ. It started recently, the driver side wheel would shake badly when I drive in a pot hole of uneven road.
To stop the shaking/vibrations I must press the brake pedal then it will come back to normal again. This doesn't happen all the time, but only when i drive in a pot hole or uneven road, and it happen at all speeds.

Thoughts?

 

[TheBoogieman]

That's not DW.

 

[myjeep3]

That's not DW.

What could it be?

 

[TheBoogieman]

What could it be?

Sounds more like a tire/wheel issue to me. I'm sure someone here has had that happen to them and will chime in.

 

[mrblaine]

I am investigating a death wobble issue on my 97 TJ. It started recently, the driver side wheel would shake badly when I drive in a pot hole of uneven road.
To stop the shaking/vibrations I must press the brake pedal then it will come back to normal again. This doesn't happen all the time, but only when i drive in a pot hole or uneven road, and it happen at all speeds.

Thoughts?

How do you know the right side isn't also shaking?

 

[myjeep3]

How do you know the right side isn't also shaking?

Because I can feel it.

 

[mrblaine]

Because I can feel it.

How did it get disconnected from the right side tire?

 

[myjeep3]

How did it get disconnected from the right side tire?

I do not feel it on the driver side, mostly on the other side

 

[Rickyd]

Regardless of how far along towards DW your jeep is i recommend you search the many threads about death wobble. It always boils down to tires out of balance or out of round,loose track bar ends or suspension link ends,ball joints and wheel bearings.Bad alignment can help trigger it. If parts have slop they can store and release energy in a way that isn't fun.

I had a track bar bracket loose that moved less than 1/8". It and tires that needed balancing created DW on some bumps that shook violently. Had to come to almost a complete stop for it to go away

 

[myjeep3]

Regardless of how far along towards DW your jeep is i recommend you search the many threads about death wobble. It always boils down to tires out of balance or out of round,loose track bar ends or suspension link ends,ball joints and wheel bearings.Bad alignment can help trigger it. If parts have slop they can store and release energy in a way that isn't fun.

I had a track bar bracket loose that moved less than 1/8". It and tires that needed balancing created DW on some bumps that shook violently. Had to come to almost a complete stop for it to go away

"Shoot violently" is exactly how it feels and only on some bumps.

 

[Gollywomper]

Have someone turn the steering wheel back and forth while you climb under the front end looking for worn or loose components. Could be something as simple as a loose bolt or a worn joint.