Community Forums

txcpl · 05-26-2019, 05:53 AM

We are looking at purchasing a Jeep Wrngler for our TOAD. What would I look for in order to prevent the Death Wobble and if it occurs what is done to remedy the situation? I had a Ford pickup that would sometime shake violently, so I assume this problem is somewhat similar.

cwit · 05-26-2019, 05:58 AM

Normally front track bar on frame side passenger. Any swearing part that showed loose.

JohnBoyToo · 05-26-2019, 06:13 AM

You may not have to fix it,

unless you do suspension changes and larger tires and

(like most of us do !)

u04601 · 05-26-2019, 09:00 AM

There are many threads trying to answer this question on Wrangler.com. In general, some believe that the bolts holding the control arms have threaded bodies that help to deteriorate the bushings. Some people are replacing the threaded bolts with solid body bolts to eliminate the added wear. If the bushings are already damaged, the bushing replacement would also be needed. There could also be other causes, but this one is talked about a lot.

AKIQPilot · 05-26-2019, 09:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by txcpl

We are looking at purchasing a Jeep Wrngler for our TOAD. What would I look for in order to prevent the Death Wobble and if it occurs what is done to remedy the situation? I had a Ford pickup that would sometime shake violently, so I assume this problem is somewhat similar.

What year Wrangler are you thinking of buying?

Different years have different causes for DW and of course different fixes.

Fyrflie · 05-26-2019, 10:23 AM

I just spent several months and hundreds of dollars trying to fix the dreaded death wobble on my 2000 Jeep Wrangler.

It ended up being a bad end on my front track bar. Which was not detectable while the track bar was on the vehicle.

Generally speaking, death wobble is caused by a worn part but exaggerated by some other things in the front suspension.

Tie rod ends
Bushings
Track bar ends
Wheel balance
Alignment

Death Wobble is not specific or limited to modified vehicles.
But as vehicle suspensions are changed, so does the geometry of the system and is then vulnerable to problems associated with Death Wobble.

Google Jeep Death Wobble. You will find enough reading to last you till Christmas.

Bottom line. Something’s worn out and needs replacement.

Good luck on your search.

AKIQPilot · 05-26-2019, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fyrflie

I just spent several months and hundreds of dollars trying to fix the dreaded death wobble on my 2000 Jeep Wrangler.

It ended up being a bad end on my front track bar. Which was not detectable while the track bar was on the vehicle.

Generally speaking, death wobble is caused by a worn part but exaggerated by some other things in the front suspension.

Tie rod ends

Bushings

Track bar ends

Wheel balance

Alignment

Death Wobble is not specific or limited to modified vehicles.

But as vehicle suspensions are changed, so does the geometry of the system and is then vulnerable to problems associated with Death Wobble.

Google Jeep Death Wobble. You will find enough reading to last you till Christmas.

Bottom line. Something’s worn out and needs replacement.

Good luck on your search.

How could it have possibly taken that long and that much $$$ to figure out. The bushings on the track bar is the #1 cause of death wobble on a TJ. Its the very first place to look and only takes 10 minutes to remove and inspect.

Fyrflie · 05-26-2019, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AKIQPilot

How could it have possibly taken that long and that much $$$ to figure out. The bushings on the track bar is the #1 cause of death wobble on a TJ. Its the very first place to look and only takes 10 minutes to remove and inspect.

I had already replaced the lower trackbar bushing with polyurethane and drilled out the factory mount to accept a larger bolt. The upper end is a tie rod end.

There was absolutely no play in the track bar, with the vehicle on the ground or front end suspended. It even passed the steering wheel play test. It simply showed no signs of being loose. Other items showed signs of wear or play and were replaced in stages so that I could figure out exactly what part was responsible for the wobble.
I also didn’t work on it day in and day out. It’s not my daily driver.

ThePowells · 05-26-2019, 05:28 PM

Best way is not tow a Jeep...

Here is a link to over 600 threads on the death wobble. https://www.google.com/search?q=%22d...earch=irv2.com

Dark Sky · 05-26-2019, 05:58 PM

No end of products called "Jeep" with death wobble stories, but a Wrangler? This thread is the first I've heard of it, certainly not on an unmodified one. Wranglers must constitute close to half of the toads out there based on what I see. Maybe the Wrangler experts will enlighten us with death wobble stories galore???

Sue46 · 05-27-2019, 06:18 AM

1. Why does the DW appear limited to Jeep?

2. Why doesn't Jeep do something to fix it if no one else has the problem?

hohenwald48 · 05-27-2019, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sue46

1. Why does the DW appear limited to Jeep?

2. Why doesn't Jeep do something to fix it if no one else has the problem?

Why do folks insist on using a term like "Jeep"?

There are probably more than 2 dozen different models and configurations of "Jeep". Very few ever have anything that could be described as "death wobble".

Front end wobble is definitely not "limited to Jeep(s)" of any kind.

Inaccurate information provided by folks who don't know is the cause of most misunderstandings about problems.

Sue46 · 05-27-2019, 10:49 AM

Because Jeep is the brand name, like Ford, Dodge and Chevy. What else would you call it?

Vongreg · 05-27-2019, 11:21 AM

Wranglers do not seem to be prone to the Death Wobble. It is more common it the Cherokee line up. If you google you can find out about the DW in GM and Ford products too.