Rising Fawn

88 Jeep Comanche Chief 4.0L

I thought I had it solved......haven't had a hint of it in over 2 years.

I was traveling from Birmingham Ala. to North Georgia last Tuesday, going about 75 when I hit a small bump in the Interstate where the pavement changed.

Suddenly, I was in full blown Death Wobble......I mean it was the worst episode that I've ever experienced. I let off the gas and coasted to a slower speed.
As I went from 75 to 70, it almost stopped shaking, but as I hit 65, it went wild again and didn't stop until I hit 50 MPH. Luckily, I was in the right hand lane so I was able to coax the truck onto the right shoulder. Hitting the brakes only makes it worse.....I learned that in the past, so I just let it coast. I'm surprised that something didn't break, like the steering box.

Is there a real cure for this problem, or just a list of modifications to hide this factory defect? The problem has a Harmonic element involved because the shaking appears suddenly and disappears just as suddenly with no warning.
I drove 60 MPH the rest of the way home.

Any Ideas, Just wanted to vent.

xjmachine

the really bad death wobble is usually caused by the track bar being loose, or the bolt holes may be wallowed out. or the rod end maybe bad as well. have you had someone steer it while its on, and in park? look at the track bar, if it moves at all (axle side or unibody side). thats your culprit.

worn tie rod ends can cause this as well.
so id start there. bet its your track bar

93_xjcherokee

Control arm bushings, track bar, tie rods, wheel bearings. I'm not running a sway bar or a steering stabilizer and I have no death wobble so yes it can be cured. Also, try rotating your tires first and see if that helps

Fred/N0AZZ

A little information would help also any mods done to it lift, larger tires, etc.?

Turbo X_J

First problem.

Rising Fawn

You got that right, I got off the freeway and traveled up US highway 11 the rest of the way home....55-60 and looked at the pretty scenery.

I'm running the stock set up with 235/75R 15 tires.
I'm ready for some new tires, and I'm sure that will help.
This is the third time I've experienced full blown "Death Wobble" and it ain't pleasant believe me.
The hell of it is that it may only show up very suddenly every 1 or 2 years, so I'm never really sure if I have it fixed or not. It's like riding on pins and needles.

I plan on a full investigation of the front suspension plus new tires and alignment.
The hell of it is, I still won't be positive that it's truly gone and not just hiding.......and waiting....... for the right moment to scare the s*** out of me.

toasterknight

Take out the steering stabilizer and it should be more often. Then you can diagnose then reinstall the stabilizer.

aroundincircles