Major Death Wobble

[redyouch]

yes, i know this is like beating a dead horse, but i thought you guys could help me out.

i lifted my jeep about 3.5" with upcountry springs and spacers/shackles. i had very bad deathwobble afterwards, and i replaced the stock steering with a ZJ setup. i also replaced the passenger side ball joints. i drove to the alignment place and got an alignment. they told me my caster was at 5 degrees on both sides, and that there was a slight toe out on the drivers side.(most likely from ball joint). i took my steering stabilizer off. i have stock tracbar in stock location and stock LCAs. im wondering if i should order some longer ones, or if that isnt the problem.

at about 45 mph, the wheels start to get antsy. then they go crazy and there is screeching until i slow down to about 30.

what should i change

 

[olivedrabcj7]

have your wheels balanced. does it do it just as you speed up or is it caused by hitting a bump?

 

[Wolfe]

I know it only masks the problem but i got a big arse stabiliser shock and now its fine

 

[BeJay1981]

I'm assuming you had DW issues even with the stabilizer on? But I would think that with it off it would be guarenteed? Mine was totally worn out and my XJ with about the same amount of lift did the same thing. I put a stock replacelemt stabilizer on it and it took care of it.

I don't know what to tell you, it seems theres so many things that can cause it. Have someone turn the wheel back and fourth while you are in the driveway and inspect every possible point for signs of wear or movement. Especially the ball joint on the t-bar.

 

[Eagle]

They told you it was toed out "on the driver's side" (?) due to ball joints?

Find another shop and get a decent alignment. Toe is adjusted with the tie rod. Camber is what can be thrown out by bad ball joints. Being toed out is a good way to trigger something like death wobble.

You may be able to dial in a bit more caster by adding shims in the frame pockets behind the lower control arms. That's what those shims in there are for -- setting the caster.

 

[ren]

Make sure to check your unit-hubs for play, also. I had one going bad on the pass. side and didn't know it until I got up to around 45mph or so, and then it suck like a wet dog. I eased back to the house and was checking everything when I bumped the wheel while that side of the jeep was raised up, and guess what, the tire wobbled a little bit. So, I tried to shake it, and that is when I found what was causeing my D/W. Changed the hub, and no more D/W. hope that helps. Ren

 

[DDawg16]

I have 4 1/2" of lift, stock track bar and stock stearing stabalizer...drives perfect. My first guess would be either shocks or tires.

But I would suggest climbing underneath and watching the front end while you have the wife/girlfriend rotate the stearing from side to side. You would be surprised at what you can see doing this.

 

[IdahoEagle]

Try the steering box.