WJ shake when brakes applied

[OverlandZJ]

Feels like what i'v read described as Death Wobble. Steering wheel shakes pretty violently when brakes applied above 40mph, runs smooth otherwise.

99 WJ with 242. Jeep has been upgraded to the Akebono calipers prior to my purchase, recent brake pads. New TRE at Pitman, everything else feels tight with "maybe" a soft lower control arm bushing.

Apparently this is somewhat common judging by the amount of threads on JF, but i was not able to find a thread which had a an update of what fixed their issue.

Pulled the front driveshaft, read that fixed one rig.. no change.

CV axleshafts look like they need boots at minimum, tires have slight dryrot but no vibes/balance issues when not braking. These will be replaced soon enough.

I know theres a few WJ owners here, anyone run into this?

 

[NW-ZJ-SCOTT]

Life used to be so easy for you... Fill the tank.. get lost, Stop and build a fire.. open the RTT.. enjoy a beer by the fire..


Now look at you.. Living the Grand cherokee life..

 

[MT Mike]

The 99 my wife had did that after a trip that involved a couple of mountain passes. I found the rotors were barely within specs for minimum thickness and had warped with the extended braking from coming down the pass. New, quality rotors from NAPA took care of the problem.
In short, take a look at your rotors, that may be where your problem lies.

 

[foxwar71]

In short, take a look at your rotors, that may be where your problem lies.

This. Sounds like typical warped rotor symptoms. The reason for the change over to Akebono in the WJ's was because the Teves calipers were know for trashing rotors.

 

[OverlandZJ]

Life used to be so easy for you... Fill the tank.. get lost, Stop and build a fire.. open the RTT.. enjoy a beer by the fire..


Now look at you.. Living the Grand cherokee life..

You really know how to hurt a guy..

The 99 my wife had did that after a trip that involved a couple of mountain passes. I found the rotors were barely within specs for minimum thickness and had warped with the extended braking from coming down the pass. New, quality rotors from NAPA took care of the problem.
In short, take a look at your rotors, that may be where your problem lies.

This. Sounds like typical warped rotor symptoms. The reason for the change over to Akebono in the WJ's was because the Teves calipers were know for trashing rotors.

I was under the impression the Akebono caliper upgrade on pre 03 WJ's was to fix the issue? Could the previous owner have swapped Akebono's on and left the older Teves rotors? (Are they the same?)

I'll tear it down tomorrow am and inspect the calipers, if they seem good i'll just grab rotors and pads.

 

[bluejeepkid]

Sounds like warped rotors to me, not necessarily death wobble. Death wobble usually stops or eases up when the brakes are applied.

 

[philagony94xj]

I also suspect the rotors being warped. Classic symptom of that issue.

 

[Talyn]

Possibly warped rotors. My mom's 04 WJ had warped rotors. Replaced them with Stillens from [email protected], solved the warping.

However take a good look at the hub and measure run out. Look for dents and the like. If some one removed a hub with a BFH they could have possibly dented the rotor seating surface.

 

[cf_collins]

Before you go to the parts store, jack up the front end and check the wheel bearings and axle shaft seals.

 

[OverlandZJ]

Bought new calipers, rotors and pads yesterday. Didnt have the time to get them swapped in before dinner so i'll do so next weekend unless i can get her Jeep one day this week.

Plan to check the hub bearings when i tear into it, probably stop and get new brakelines as well.

 

[Stukboy]

Had the same issues with my 99 and recently my 04. Both were the same. Front rotors!! Put new ones on and haven't had a single wobble issue.
Good luck,
Stukboy

 

[OverlandZJ]

Swapped the new brake components in and the symptoms are gone.. Thanks guys.

 

[cf_collins]

Swapped the new brake components in and the symptoms are gone.. Thanks guys.

:cheers:

 

[Bryan C.]

The akebono calipers were supposed to fix the issue. They didn't really help. The newer style calipers came factory equipped on some late 2002 built WJs, and all 2003 and 2004. There were still plenty of warped rotors with the new calipers.

One thing I found interesting is that I have the WJ brakes on my XJ and after 30,000 miles there is no warpage at all. But the ones on my ex-wife's WJ warped every 10,000 miles. :dunno:

 

[GSequoia]

The warpage is clearly caused by plastic headlamps then!

 

[westvirginia24976]

But the ones on my ex-wife's WJ warped every 10,000 miles. :dunno:

Women are hard on brakes but that isn't grounds for divorce.