Dang Death Wobble!!!!

[L33TJ33P]

Well, Today I had finally had enough of this dreaded Death Wobble (DW). So, what I did:

Checked my Alignment (Shadetree type) 61 13/16" front 62" rear for a 3/16" "toe in" mid range for the 1/8" to 1/4" specs.

Took off Front 2" lift springs.

Took off rear 2" lift springs.

Rechecked alignment 3 times 61 13/16" front 62" rear.

Wobble is STILL there. What the heck could it be. Removing the springs and replacing factory springs took the Lift out of the equation. With removing the lift it also took Drive-line angles out of the equation. I am out of Options. The only thing that isn't back to Factory specs is the Shocks, which will be done tomorrow, if I can't find the problem.

Any suggestions would be GREATLY appreciated.

 

[jeepin916]

do u have a bent rim? that will cause a wobble

 

[L33TJ33P]

VIN Help

this has been happening on 2 sets of Rims. First Factory and now AR Pythons. Also, 2 sets of Tires.

 

[jeepin916]

oh has it been happening the whole time u owned the jeep?

 

[L33TJ33P]

Transmission mount

Started after I put a 2" lift on it. Now I have taken the Lift off and I still have the wobble. Jeep is about to fix it for me, I think.

 

[jeepin916]

let me know what they say about it if they fix it.

 

[Snitty]

i dont know why... but i sometimes get a wobble... then the next day, its gone... it could be an out of balance driveshaft

 

[jeepin916]

well an out of balance drive shaft would do it all the time, are the tires choped up? that would cause a wobble, and an out of balance tire would cause a wobble also at different speeds.

 

[jeepin916]

also check for ply seperation in the tires that will deffinatly cause woble

 

[bksmith]

linkage is all tight? any play in steering box or steering shaft? u-bolts tight? maybe camber angle? wheel bearings have no play?

just some the probable causes, you have probably checked but just to be sure. also, can you feal the shake through the steering wheel? or does it shake while you hold the wheel steady. does it happen at one speed or one rpm range or all the time...

Brad.

 

[L33TJ33P]

50 mph no matter how I get there. 4th gear 3000rpm at 50 *wobble* 5th gear around 1900rpm *Wobble* Take out of gear and let slow to 50 1200 rpm *Wobble*

cinched the Trac-bar down to 65 foot pounds

Greased all grease points.

Raised the Front wheels off the ground just barely and tried to shake them, No Play

Set the "toe-in" 1/8, 3/16, 1/4 toe-in *Wobble*

I am putting Factory Shocks back on today and taking off the BDS stabilizer. If I still have the Wobble, it is going back to the Stealership for an Over-haul.

I wonder though, This *wobble* didn't start right away after the Lift. It started about 40 miles later, after a hard brake on an off-ramp. I remember feeling as if the whole tub shifted forward (if you have ever had your seat adjusted and not locked in position and you hit the breaks it will shift forward and lock, this is the feeling, without the pop of the lock of course.) Do you think that could have been my Caster or Camber shifting and causing this whole mess?

 

[Bounty__Hunter]

Could be your caster, since you noticed it after hard braking. Did you have an alignment after your lift? If so, the adjustment for the caster may not have been tight, allowing your front axle to shift. Check your caster adjustment on the front control arms, not sure where it's at on an '03. Should either be a cam adjustment on the lower control arms or two bolts in each lower control arm frame hanger.

 

[L33TJ33P]

That is what I am thinking. I am putting the factory stuff all back on today and taking it to Jeep tomorrow. They are going to check all that to the factory specs. Then, when I lift it again I will make sure I mark the caster. That way I can adjust it to spec's myself.

 

[Bounty__Hunter]

Did you get an alignment after the lift?

Why did you go with 2" springs and not just use 2" spring spacers?

Why the aftermarket steering stabilyzer?

 

[L33TJ33P]

I did get alignments after the Lift.

I liked the Idea of having the spacer Option open to me when I get a winch and after market bumper.

The Stabilizer was an Option that I tried to try and get rid of the Wobble. A "tech" at 4WD checked it out and said the factory stabilizer was shot.

 

[Bounty__Hunter]

I can't imagine a factory stabilizer on an '03 being shot, but you never know with new vehicles. I would have had the stealership fix it under warranty and forget about an aftermarket one. You've since found out that it's only a bandaid fix for DW and not a cure, huh?

If you add a winch and/or heavy bumper, consider more stock .75" spring isolators, they are stackable and great for leveling the ride.

 

[L33TJ33P]

I forgot to mention that I think the Stabilizer just looks good. I doubt I will get rid of it. I am having it put up on the rack today and they are checking Caster and Camber. If in fact that is the Issue Jeep will not fix it due to the fact that I lifted it. But either way once that is done I will mark my caster.

 

[L33TJ33P]

oops

New Info!!!!! Seams that my rear passenger side of the axle is 1/2 forward and lower than the driver side. Kind of like the Pass control arm has been bent. We checked the control arms and found that the Pass side Control arm is 1/4 narrower than the driver side. Now Jeep WILL get to fix it.

As for my shade tree Alignment, Caster and Camber settings:

Alignment was 1 degree off (toed in)
Caster and Camber were factory specs.

Seams like the only thing off is the rear end. How the heck could that happen???

 

[Bounty__Hunter]

1/4" narrower or shorter? Sounds like a factory defect if it's still straight. Do the stock rear arms have any adjustment for pinion angle?

 

[L33TJ33P]

not that I saw. Imagine this. center your axle then push the pass side forward about 1/2 inch and that is what I am riding on. basically ends up that I may be trying to drive straight while my rear wheels are trying to make a right turn.

:::Edit:::
Excuse me Left turn.


Maybe Jeep will just replace the whole rear end. Maybe they will not have a replacement Dana 35 and upgrade me for free long shot but I can dream can't I.