Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here XJ (84-01)
All OEM related XJ specific tech. Examples, no start, general maintenance or anything that's stock.

95 Cherokee Sport Steering Stabilizer fails again

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Apr 10, 2012 | 08:11 PM
  #1  
finiteguy's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 103
Likes: 0
Model: Cherokee
Default 95 Cherokee Sport Steering Stabilizer fails again

This seems to occur every 2 years or so. My steering stabilizer starts leaking and has to be replaced. I think that it should last longer than 2 years. I'm not rough on the vehicle. When it fails, I start getting death whobble. I beleive that my mechanic uses Munroe stabilizer. Is there a better brand out there? Any suggestions? I don't want to modify brackets to put in heavy duty hardware, I just want a better quality stabilizer.
Reply
Old Apr 10, 2012 | 08:28 PM
  #2  
RTorrez1's Avatar
CF Veteran
 
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 4,172
Likes: 4
From: Riviera, Texas
Year: 1998 Sport
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

Originally Posted by finiteguy
This seems to occur every 2 years or so. My steering stabilizer starts leaking and has to be replaced. I think that it should last longer than 2 years. I'm not rough on the vehicle. When it fails, I start getting death whobble. I beleive that my mechanic uses Munroe stabilizer. Is there a better brand out there? Any suggestions? I don't want to modify brackets to put in heavy duty hardware, I just want a better quality stabilizer.
Well, I hate to tell you. But it isn't your stabilizer. The is only covering up the real reason that you have a death wobble. The steering stabilizer will last for a real long time if you fix the actual problem and it could be several different thing that cause the death wobble. If you do a search on here you will find a possible fix for your Jeep.
Reply
Old Apr 10, 2012 | 08:50 PM
  #3  
TheJerm's Avatar
CF Veteran
 
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,501
Likes: 4
From: Flint/Asheville
Year: 1995
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 HO
Default

^x2, Proper setups shouldnt need a stabilizer. You have some digging to do
Reply
Old Apr 10, 2012 | 09:02 PM
  #4  
ZINGGG's Avatar
CF Veteran
 
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 4,440
Likes: 3
From: Seal Beach, CA
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 HO Straight Six
Default

https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f51/di...-wobble-55021/

One of the problems in that write up is going to apply to you. And once you find that problem, get a more heavy duty stabilizer so it wont happen again. A vendor on this forum, SeriousOffRoad, sells a Blistein stabilizer. I'd do that. And do it yourself! It's just a couple bolts. Really simple
Reply
Old Apr 11, 2012 | 03:11 PM
  #5  
finiteguy's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 103
Likes: 0
Model: Cherokee
Default

Originally Posted by 1996sportXJ
https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f51/di...-wobble-55021/

One of the problems in that write up is going to apply to you. And once you find that problem, get a more heavy duty stabilizer so it wont happen again. A vendor on this forum, SeriousOffRoad, sells a Blistein stabilizer. I'd do that. And do it yourself! It's just a couple bolts. Really simple
The stablizer does fail becasue it starts to leak. This I can see. It happens every 2 years or so. When it fails, I get the death whoble when I go over a bump. There could be other contributors to the whobble but a leaky stablizer seems to be the culpret. When I get it replaced, the probelm goes away.
Reply
Old Apr 11, 2012 | 03:18 PM
  #6  
sthon's Avatar
CF Veteran
 
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 2,570
Likes: 4
From: California
Year: 1992
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 HO
Default

Originally Posted by finiteguy
The stablizer does fail becasue it starts to leak. This I can see. It happens every 2 years or so. When it fails, I get the death whoble when I go over a bump. There could be other contributors to the whobble but a leaky stablizer seems to be the culpret. When I get it replaced, the probelm goes away.
You're kind of missing the point here though. You don't need a steering stabilizer. Something else is causing the death wobble and your steering stabilizer is masking it, and apparently taking a beating in the process.

Fix the cause of the death wobble, then replace your steering stabilizer.

Put the front up on stands and start checking everything over, have something turn the steering wheel while you watch for any slop or play.
Reply
Old Apr 11, 2012 | 03:25 PM
  #7  
meancherokee's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 218
Likes: 0
Model: Cherokee
Default

Originally Posted by finiteguy
The stablizer does fail becasue it starts to leak. This I can see. It happens every 2 years or so. When it fails, I get the death whoble when I go over a bump. There could be other contributors to the whobble but a leaky stablizer seems to be the culpret. When I get it replaced, the probelm goes away.
Its not your stabilizer failing. Its the DW causing the stabilizer to fail. The stabilizer is masking your DW. Fix DW and stabilizer wont even be needed.
Reply
Old Apr 11, 2012 | 04:01 PM
  #8  
freegdr's Avatar
CF Veteran
 
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 47,923
Likes: 38
From: Broward County Fl.
Year: 1989 xj sport 2dr
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 12 hole bosch Injectors
Default

factory style shock?
Reply
Old Apr 11, 2012 | 05:11 PM
  #9  
OnlyInMyXJ22's Avatar
CF Veteran
 
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2,202
Likes: 0
From: Brighton, MI
Model: Cherokee
Default

Originally Posted by sthon
You're kind of missing the point here though. You don't need a steering stabilizer. Something else is causing the death wobble and your steering stabilizer is masking it, and apparently taking a beating in the process.

Fix the cause of the death wobble, then replace your steering stabilizer.

Put the front up on stands and start checking everything over, have something turn the steering wheel while you watch for any slop or play.
Originally Posted by meancherokee
Its not your stabilizer failing. Its the DW causing the stabilizer to fail. The stabilizer is masking your DW. Fix DW and stabilizer wont even be needed.
x2
Reply
Old Apr 11, 2012 | 08:53 PM
  #10  
finiteguy's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 103
Likes: 0
Model: Cherokee
Default

Could it be worn Track Bar? Is that an expensive repair?
Reply
Old Apr 11, 2012 | 08:58 PM
  #11  
TheJerm's Avatar
CF Veteran
 
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,501
Likes: 4
From: Flint/Asheville
Year: 1995
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 HO
Default

Have a friend rock the steering wheel back and forth and look for stuff moving underneath. could be alot of things
Reply
Old Apr 11, 2012 | 09:04 PM
  #12  
ZINGGG's Avatar
CF Veteran
 
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 4,440
Likes: 3
From: Seal Beach, CA
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 HO Straight Six
Default

Originally Posted by finiteguy
Could it be worn Track Bar? Is that an expensive repair?
That's one of the most common causes of death wobble. So yes, that'd be the best place to start your search for a worn steering or suspension component. It is not expensive or difficult to do. Are you lifted at all? Or are you stock? If you are at stock height, it will be a very cheap fix. If you are lifted, the part may be a tad expensive (make sure to get a quality track bar like the double sheer track bar from Iron Rock Offroad). But it is worth every penny to replace it. Because if it is not replaced and death wobble persists, a TON of stress is put on other steering/suspension components, causing them to wear a lot faster than they normally would.
Reply
Old Apr 11, 2012 | 09:12 PM
  #13  
finiteguy's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 103
Likes: 0
Model: Cherokee
Default

Just saw an interesting you Tube Bleeping Jeep regarding track bar problems. I will check mine out tommorow. Thanks everyone for pointing out the the steering stabilizer masks the problem.
Reply
Old Apr 11, 2012 | 09:28 PM
  #14  
finiteguy's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 103
Likes: 0
Model: Cherokee
Default

Originally Posted by finiteguy
Just saw an interesting you Tube Bleeping Jeep regarding track bar problems. I will check mine out tommorow. Thanks everyone for pointing out the the steering stabilizer masks the problem.
What gets me is, that after reading all of everyones advice, i'm almost certain that it's a loose suspension part causing DW. I recently had a ball joint replaced and an aligment and the mechanic told me that me front end was tight. I'm sure that he didn't check it correctly. I guess I should find another mechanic or do the work myself. I'm not that handy with cars and I'm not as agile as I was when I was younger. Difficult to crawl under the Jeep. Anyway, thank you all for your sound advice on this.
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
seansr
Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here
13
Oct 20, 2025 02:48 PM
ammonllewis1
Modified XJ Cherokee Tech
7
Aug 26, 2015 01:37 PM

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:33 AM.