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death wobble

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Old Apr 10, 2008 | 08:04 AM
  #1  
dabeast727's Avatar
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From: raleigh, nc
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L HO
Default death wobble

So my jeep doesnt really experience any death wobble (and i mean light shimmying) when riding down the road, occassionally if will if ive got mud in my rims though. But recently its been doing this thing, increasing in intensity each time, where if i hit a bump at any speed between like, id say, 30+mph it will throw the tires off and they will jolt in and outward rapidly, it used to be if i just give it a second it would calm down and regain control it self, but yesterday i had quite a scare coming around a bend doing like 50mph id say and it started and it was VIOLENT, i mean like terrifying no joke and it DIDNT STOP this lasted maybe 3-5 seconds before i seriously thought the outward stress would tear the hubs free and id be screwed then so i quickly breaked (sp) and slid into some grass, i think the alignment is heavily off or somethign. Any ideas?


oh and i have a question, if RE gives you new ctrl arms and they are a "proper length" for 4.5" of lift, wouldnt they correct for the caster changes at the given lift they were designed for? (in this case they were designed in conjunction with a 4.5" lift)... I mean i was thinking about getting adjustable control arms but the only think to adjust is length, and wouldnt rubicon express make these arms the proper length to handle 4.5" of lift? reason i ask is i know that caster angles may play a role in this death wobble.
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Old Apr 10, 2008 | 09:01 AM
  #2  
jaymasterflex23's Avatar
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From: Babylon, Long Island, 11702
Year: 1992
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 HO
Default

you have experienced the death wobble for sure...I just installed a RC 4.5'' and i got it to...In many cases it will actually rip the tire right off the lugs and that is just bad news bear...It happened to me doing 60mph+ on a highway out of nowhere scared the living hell out of me. In alot of instances the reason for the death wobble is the track bar being remounted loosely, or incorrectly... i have not been driving my xj for that reason...UPS will be here today with my new adjustable track bar which will hopfully fix this issue and also allow for remounting in the original factory holes. I wil give you a definate update this weekend after i have installed and test drive. An allignment is also seriously recommended by many of the guys on forums.

The LCA that are meant for a hieght should correct all angling issure with the front diff, and are meant to work with the lift they come with. I have the RC Full Suspension kit and it came with the new LCA to correct any angleing issues. The bolted up great, look better, and are way stronger

I will beffinatly get back to you this weekend and let you know how i make out replacing the track bar!
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Old Apr 10, 2008 | 11:18 AM
  #3  
ecksjay's Avatar
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From: Ypsilanti, MI
Default

I had the same issue right after i installed a budget boost. I went back and tightened the track bar and it helped a little. I then had it aligned and that helped a little more. The biggest help was having the tires balanced. After i did that it was almost gone. In October, i got new tires (265/75 r16 BFG ATs) and i haven't had it since, even after installing the 3.5 RE super ride. I have heard that there are certain types of tires that can really give you problems.

Might be something to check out
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Old Apr 10, 2008 | 12:03 PM
  #4  
jeepbogger4x4's Avatar
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Default

check your LCA's. i had this problem and it was just that the lca bolts were loose and let the axle shift back and forth
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Old Apr 10, 2008 | 01:11 PM
  #5  
COSXJFAN's Avatar
Do you hear banjos?
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Model: Cherokee
Default D.W. Encounters Of The Terrifying Kind!!

I have had this problem in the past twice, and it was because the tires were out of balance. I know it sounds silly, but the way a Cherokee front end is set up tire balance on lifted rigs is a major issue. I would say if you wheel a lot, you should have a balance done every six months or so. Just my two cents, PEACE OUT!!
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Old Apr 10, 2008 | 01:52 PM
  #6  
muddeprived's Avatar
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From: W-PA
Year: 2001
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

Tires x2. I just recently got over this damn wobble. Mine was constant and shook the steering wheel back and forth. It was the tires. Balance em good. Check steering components for looseness.
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Old Apr 11, 2008 | 09:29 AM
  #7  
jaymasterflex23's Avatar
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From: Babylon, Long Island, 11702
Year: 1992
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 HO
Default

I got my new trackbar in and if feels like a new truck again, got it up to 60 and made sure to catch some bumps, not a single shimmy. New trackbar with new hardware worked for me, check how tight everything is for sure make it nice and new again!
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Old Apr 11, 2008 | 10:26 AM
  #8  
Kyle's Avatar
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Model: Cherokee
Default

Glad to hear that it worked out for you
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Old Apr 12, 2008 | 09:11 AM
  #9  
dabeast727's Avatar
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From: raleigh, nc
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L HO
Default

Yea my tires dont even have balances on them, one tire (front right i think) has them haha but the rest dont. Soooo gonna need to fix that and align it pretty soon here. It didnt help that my friend tied my car keys to his cat and then jangled them which spooked the cat and it took off into the neighborhood... no i dont have a spare. SOooo looks like im gonna have to go cat hunting before i can fix this wobble, but i do appreciate it!
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Old Apr 12, 2008 | 12:22 PM
  #10  
drakan1908's Avatar
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Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,649
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From: Salem Virginia
Year: 1998
Model: Grand Cherokee (ZJ)
Engine: 4.0
Default

Originally Posted by dabeast727
Yea my tires dont even have balances on them, one tire (front right i think) has them haha but the rest dont. Soooo gonna need to fix that and align it pretty soon here. It didnt help that my friend tied my car keys to his cat and then jangled them which spooked the cat and it took off into the neighborhood... no i dont have a spare. SOooo looks like im gonna have to go cat hunting before i can fix this wobble, but i do appreciate it!
sorry I couldn't help but laugh.
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Old Apr 13, 2008 | 11:53 AM
  #11  
dabeast727's Avatar
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From: raleigh, nc
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L HO
Default

haha believe me i know its funny, not funny for the kid who i made pay for the new keys
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Old Apr 13, 2008 | 05:44 PM
  #12  
88woody's Avatar
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From: barrie, ontario, canada
Default

hey i had the death wobble and my tires are out of balance and i need an alignment desperatly and i replaced my steering stabilizer and it rides like a charm...well as good as it can without balance or alignment...lol
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