i have a 00 cherokee with no lift yet, and get some pretty bad shaking when i go over railroad tracks or bumps in the road. im getting new wheels and tires next paycheck so im waiting on balancing and an alignment, but i was under there today and noticed i can twist the tie rod and track bar back and forth, towards me and away from me, if you can picture that. and im pretty sure its not supposed to have that much movement at the bushings. anyone else experience this and do you have any bushing recommendations?

 

You could remove the cotter pins and tighten them up, then put in a new cotter pin and see if that fixes it. If that doesn't then replace them asap. Oh and no they should not move that freely especially with the tires on the ground.

 

gotta pick up some more pb blaster, but theyre pretty frickin tight. any recommendations on bushings?

 

Trackbar frame side has no bushings just stud, jam nut and cotter pin.. tre's are the same no bushings at all jsut stud, jacm nut and cotter pin so you either tighten em if they won't tighten down you replace them.

 

Rotational movement is normal with the TRE's on the steering. But you shouldnt be able to twist the trackbar like that.

Betting the bushing on trackbar at axle end is shot.

 

X2.. I would also check your axle to trackbar bolt to verify it's both tight and hasn't ovaled out the mounting eyelets and sleeve.

 

May as well check the ball joints while you are at it. That can be a DW cause too.

 

yeah, thanks guys, will check it all out tomorrow when i finally have some time

 

I have the startings of Death Wobble also. Doesn't happen all the time.
What I have noticed about Death Wobble: IF you TRY to make it start...it won't. After you have given up and head back home-->Thats when it hits you. When you least expect it.

Crawled around the front last night for a good 1/2hr. twisting this trying to budge that...you all know the routine.

What I have found:
ONE upper shock mount LOOSE.
Ball joints tight
TRE (IMHO) MAY need changing.
ALOT of slop in steering box.
Control arm mounts-tight..do not appear to be "stressed" or "oblonged"
Control arm bushings- "appear" to be in good shape yet.

Will need an adj. track bar though. 3" of lift caused mine to shift a little over 3/4" to one side. I will check on THAT better after Hanna has finished whizzin on us.
I am seriously thinking about the ZJ TRE upgrade, IF the TRE need replacing.

 

I think maybe he is thinking the draglink is the trackbar. The draglink can be twisted like the tie rod. Even with a shot out bushing, the actual trackbar cannot be twisted.

 

Draglink connects tierod to pitman arm. Trackbar connects right side of axle to the left side of frame and has a slight "S" shape.

 

If there is lateral play in your steering box, that will cause DW. HTH!!