Death wobble with new steering components

[S.McArthur]

It's a JKS TB, I had my wife give the wheel a good back and forth looking for any movement. Everything is tight and no creaks, squeaks, clank, bang, pops, pews, or squishies.
I have been noticing that my powertrax has been making more noise at low speed, perhaps something else is out of whack or the powertrax is slightly engaged/engaging pulling on an axle shaft/wheel.

 

[AndyG]

Rumor has It the ko2 is a little known for occasionally being out of round... Mine are as smooth as they can be.

Let us know how things work out man... I know you have worked really hard to get this one dialed in.

 

[S.McArthur]

I have 1.5” lift spacers in the front to level it, I’m going to remove those.
The only other thing I haven’t replaced is the unit/hub bearings, I’ll probably change the ball joints again just because.
Got the Jeep up to 55/60 and the wheel feels a little loose, no wobble, but I have PTSD from the other events so I may be over thinking it.
That’s the update for now

 

[jazngab]

I have 1.5” lift spacers in the front to level it, I’m going to remove those.
The only other thing I haven’t replaced is the unit/hub bearings, I’ll probably change the ball joints again just because.
Got the Jeep up to 55/60 and the wheel feels a little loose, no wobble, but I have PTSD from the other events so I may be over thinking it.
That’s the update for now

I feel exactly how you do. Minimal wobble at high speed but steering doesn’t feel as tight as it did when I had the 2” spacer lift. I’m waiting to get an appointment for tire balance and rotation.

 

[Jcraig]

Don't eyeball it. Actually measure it. Just like in the pictures on the link. Using aluminum square tubing and measure the distance of the width of your tires and take those measurements. Mine was off 1/2" which is a lot. Yours is a 4" lift so yours will really really be off if coming from stock height

Very easy to do this. Thanks again to the original poster.

 

[S.McArthur]

Well, found my issue in the frame side trackback mount, when I was checking torque, I used the service manual 60ft-lbs. I was reading another thread and someone mentioned different torque specs by each manufacturer, well, the bulb went off and I checked JKS; 110ft-lbs. Even during a dry steer test I never saw movement enough to say "there's the issue", I suppose the crap tires I had just made quick work of that torque spec and started going crazy. Still glad I bought new tires, they are smooth and quiet.
Now, back to the minimal drive line vibration.

 

[AndyG]

Well, found my issue in the frame side trackback mount, when I was checking torque, I used the service manual 60ft-lbs. I was reading another thread and someone mentioned different torque specs by each manufacturer, well, the bulb went off and I checked JKS; 110ft-lbs. Even during a dry steer test I never saw movement enough to say "there's the issue", I suppose the crap tires I had just made quick work of that torque spec and started going crazy. Still glad I bought new tires, they are smooth and quiet.
Now, back to the minimal drive line vibration.

Man yeah! You aren’t far from having a smooth ride . Glad to see that post man .

 

[S.McArthur]

Man yeah! You aren’t far from having a smooth ride . Glad to see that post man .

Not going to lie, I felt pretty dumb when I realized my mistake, I didn't want to admit publicly but I knew it had to be relayed to help others. I have have a set of Timken hubs I'll probably install this weekend as well. I need to readjust my toe-in, I think it is in too much now that I have my track bar torqued correctly. I may even get an extra degree or two of caster to see if I can work that vibration out.
Jeep is cruising smooth, minus the vibration, it is smooth as glass. "It drives like a Jeep" is total BS, these Jeeps can ride really smooth if maintained and setup properly. I'm really happy at the moment, refreshing a 5 owner neglected Jeep is a lot of work, but it's nice to get tangible results.

 

[AndyG]

Not going to lie, I felt pretty dumb when I realized my mistake, I didn't want to admit publicly but I knew it had to be relayed to help others. I have have a set of Timken hubs I'll probably install this weekend as well. I need to readjust my toe-in, I think it is in too much now that I have my track bar torqued correctly. I may even get an extra degree or two of caster to see if I can work that vibration out.
Jeep is cruising smooth, minus the vibration, it is smooth as glass. "It drives like a Jeep" is total BS, these Jeeps can ride really smooth if maintained and setup properly. I'm really happy at the moment, refreshing a 5 owner neglected Jeep is a lot of work, but it's nice to get tangible results.

Same story with mine man.

Hub bearings can cause them to "follow lines" in the road, so they help too.

You are getting it there , and seeing how screwed up these things get.

It's sad,and gives them a bad name .