Chasing down Death Wobble--vote

[cjohnson]

Ok, I need help on what to look at next...

96 2door--6.5" lift (4.5" coils/2" spacers) 33" tires
new Terraflex steering kit (high steer)
fresh/good allignment
control arms are tight (RE adjustables)
track bar (RE adjustable) is tight/positioned
brackets are tight
steering stabilizer is not yet installed

So what do you think? Should I change the ball joints, look at wheel bearings, or ______________? I know about the steering stabilizer, but there's no way that will stop the wobble completely--we're talking DEATH wobble at 35mph and 65mph.

Thanks for the input--I know this comes up a lot!

 

[RCP Phx]

6.5" lift on short arms!Can you say DB's or Long arms?Do you have the RE HD trackbar?

 

[cjohnson]

I have the HD RE track bar. As far as the CA's, my understanding is that as long as you get your angles right, the downside is a rougher ride, but not DW. I'm not sure why it would show up now, after a couple years of using this set up.

 

[cLAYH]

REplacing the steering stabilizer on my Jeep cured DW. Keeps the front end from getting into that cyclic motion. Stops it before it ever starts.

 

[cjohnson]

I hope it's that simple...I tend to fear the worst--I'll hook it up as soon as the bracket comes in and see what difference it makes.

Thanks!

 

[RyanM]

ouch
are you tires balanced and wearing in the correct pattern?
ill put up the 2nd vote for DB's or longarms

 

[GreenbeltXJ]

steering stabilizer fixed it for me too.

 

[STEELFISH]

I'm voting for proper caster and toe in. I have worked on "a Lot" of jeeps where the guys have said all the same as you have and while being checked it just was not so.
Go 4-5* of caster, and somewhere around 1/16-1/8" toed in.
Also no play in the axle end of the track bar??

How about a bent housing?
Of course check the obvious W/B and Ball joints. Best way on an XJ D30 ball joints is to check them with the vehicle slightly lifted and place a pry bar under the tire and lift, b/c of the style of ball joints it generally doesn't work well to just grab the tire and wiggle it.

 

[JCSXJ]

2nd vote for alignment. I had d/w bad in mine so I took it to my dads shop for a alignment and it helped alittle but not that much. Two weeks later they got a new alignment rack w/lasers so I took it back and tried it again. Set it up at 1/8" toed in and haven't had d/w since. I'm running 5.5" lift on short arms, stock track bar (drilled new hole in bracket to center axle), 33's & no sway bars.

 

[TomH]

I'd say drop brackets or lose the spacers. That is a lot of lift for 33s.

 

[ZachMan]

REplacing the steering stabilizer on my Jeep cured DW. Keeps the front end from getting into that cyclic motion. Stops it before it ever starts.

Thats in no way a cure, most HD steering don't even have stabilizers like the JCR I'm installing this weekend if the damn reamer comes in:exclamati

 

[ZachMan]

If it was at 50-60mph it would be your tires/wheels, but after that I'd say alighnment, tighten all bolts down up front and make sure you tracbar is reallly tight.

All Jeeps are different. My old 2000 got DW from an out of round tire, while my 99 never has had it even with bad tires, a bad wheel and out of alighnment like whoo. Might be cause I have adj. UCAs with the RE kit.