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Post by pollux troy on Apr 13, 2008 13:40:20 GMT -5
What is the problem, when im driving about 50mph my steering wheel shakes and it feels like i could lose control of my jeep. I have a 4" suspension lift,could my steering stabilizer be bad. HELP! I HEARD IT'S CALLED THE "DEATH WOBBLE".  |
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Post by krawler97 on Apr 13, 2008 19:09:40 GMT -5
More than likely it is your alignment, it could be your stabilizer but unlikely. Also, check all of your links and joints in the front end look and check for wear. Is this a recent lift or have you been driving it for awhile with no problems? Your TB may need to be adjusted if it is off it will pull your axle out and the front and rear will not track properly which can cause severe vibration/loss of control. But again, after you check everything in the front get it aligned, Gaumers in chambersburg is an excellent place, they are expensive but they do a great job. Most places just throw it on the machine and if the computer shows green they tell you it's fine even if it may need minor adjustments. Shetron's in shippensburg didn't even know how to adjust my rear and the drag link was not adjusted so the steering wheel was sideways. Hope this helps.
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Post by pollux troy on Apr 13, 2008 21:49:13 GMT -5
The lift was already on it when i bought it,and i didnt have a problem until,i had the wheels rotated and thats when i noticed it,so im hoping it is just the rear wheels being out of balanced,what do you think. |
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Post by dean on Apr 13, 2008 22:24:55 GMT -5
i'll make a bet that is is one or both of your trac-bars. most likely with the 4" lift either they used the hack-n-tap method of relocating the stock trac bar up front and the bracket in the back. both methods SUCK-ASS and i don't know why people still insist on cutting corners and doing it that way. not ripping on your or your jeep... i understand you got it like that.
check EVERYTHING... if it's a bolt, check it. control arms... trac bar... steering... check your tie-rod ends... check your steering stablizer (may need to upgrade to a heavy duty one if you're running tires 33" or larger - and make sure it's a good one).
once you rule all that stuff out, get the allignment checked and your tires rotated and checked for balance. it won't ever be "perfect"... but you shouldn't be getting death-wobble at 4".
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Post by krawler97 on Apr 13, 2008 23:58:05 GMT -5
The lift was already on it when i bought it,and i didnt have a problem until,i had the wheels rotated and thats when i noticed it,so im hoping it is just the rear wheels being out of balanced,what do you think. 9 outta 10 it is your alignment (might as well get your tires balanced also), your tires were wearing as your alignment was gradually getting worse and now they are rotated causing them to shimmy. If they are mud terrains they tend to wear a lot faster also. It may take a little while for all of the vibes to stop after alignment due to the tires wearing unevenly but it definately should not be a death wobble anymore, also like Dean said check everything else first to double check and possibly save yourself un-needed expense. |
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rockzj
Web-Wheeler
Grand Overlord!
Posts: 24
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Post by rockzj on May 6, 2008 21:35:12 GMT -5
Does it happen at all when you hit a bump? If its just when you are driving in a straight line down the highway then it sounds like your tires are out of alignment. If it happens and you get really violent shaking after hitting a bump, pothole, etc. then its good ol' death wobble. This is almost always do to a worn out trac-bar, or worn out bushings. It could also be due to the steering geometry out of alignment with the trac-bar. Ultimately you want the trac-bar and drag-link as parallel to one another as possible, this will help eliminate bump steer a good deal and also minimize the chances of DW. The steering stabalizer you mentioned often masks any problem in the steering system so its better to replace other parts first and do that last. If you get violent shaking after hitting a bump or the like then it is more often than not chocked up to the trac-bar being toast. I often recommend that the trac-bar is the first thing to be replaced and upgraded with a KOR unit. Its the best out there IMHO and works wonders for DW. Get your tires balanced first thing and see if it still does it. In the meantime its a good idea to jack the Jeep up and check for play in any of the bushing and steering/suspension components. Hope that helps, any other questions just let me know
RockZJ
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Post by pollux troy on May 18, 2008 10:14:28 GMT -5
Well I took the Jeep to the Garage, They balanced the tires and put a new stabilizer on, and that fixed the problem,  they said my tires were way out of balance!!!! ???So I told them they might as well put a new stabilizer on while they are at it. Im glad that was the only problem !!! ;D |
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Post by dean on May 18, 2008 20:15:58 GMT -5
glad to hear all is well.
so when you hitting the trails with us? hahaha. i am waiting on my new lift and tires before i take the DD out again... going to do skids a the same time.
i can always scrape a crew together. might be out NEXT weekend (31st/1st)... we'll see.
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they said my tires were way out of balance!!!! ???So I told them they might as well put a new stabilizer on while they are at it.