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.

Death Wobble

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 03-12-2010, 07:13 PM
  #1  
CF Veteran
Thread Starter
 
alfreado121's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Albuquerque
Posts: 1,488
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Year: 1995
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default Death Wobble

so after i lifted my jeep is when i got the first taste of the death wobble

i had some old tires and black steels so i didnt get the tires balanced so i thought that was my problem for sure so i just burned those tires out a lot and got some 33s and had them balanced the right way

the death wobble was gone.......well the other day it did it all random driving home from school i was going about 45 so i slowed down it stopped i pulled over looked and saw noting loose or anything odd so i drove home and it didnt wobble at all

that was two days ago and it hasnt wobbled since untill about an hour ago leaving work it wobbled really short and then just stopped so i kept on driving and its not wobbling anymore

im wondering what causes this usually and what are the most effective ways to solve it
Old 03-12-2010, 07:14 PM
  #2  
Member
 
gintaras's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Schererville, IN
Posts: 219
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

did you get an alignment?
Old 03-12-2010, 07:19 PM
  #3  
Seasoned Member
 
keith two tone cherokee's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: westland mi
Posts: 260
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Year: 93'
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0l
Default

have someone get inside the jeep and turn the wheel back and forth look at the trac-bar bracket on the frame and look at the axle mount for any movement. i got death wobble a couple times and from the shaking it messed up the axle bracket bolt hole.
Old 03-13-2010, 08:35 PM
  #4  
CF Veteran
Thread Starter
 
alfreado121's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Albuquerque
Posts: 1,488
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Year: 1995
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

no i havent got an alignment my jeep drives perfectly straight and the wheels and steering wheel are all dead straight together

also what exactly do i look for can anyone post up some pictures at what i need to look for when someone turns the wheels?
Old 03-13-2010, 09:43 PM
  #5  
CF Veteran
 
JeepingDan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: CT.
Posts: 18,785
Received 12 Likes on 12 Posts
Year: 88
Engine: 4.0 HO
Default

Originally Posted by keith two tone cherokee
have someone get inside the jeep and turn the wheel back and forth look at the trac-bar bracket on the frame and look at the axle mount for any movement. i got death wobble a couple times and from the shaking it messed up the axle bracket bolt hole.
x2 look for movement. Your track bar maybe wearing out.
Old 03-13-2010, 10:04 PM
  #6  
Member
 
Baker97xj's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Ohio
Posts: 114
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

I've experienced it too and it was because my sway bar links weren't hooked up. I got them hooked up and a skyjacker steering stabilizer and haven't had it since. If you don't have sway bar links it is definitely your problem.
Old 03-13-2010, 10:14 PM
  #7  
::CF Administrator::
 
okcjeeper's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Okc area
Posts: 10,039
Likes: 0
Received 15 Likes on 11 Posts
Year: 1991
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 I6
Default

Just an FYI a steering stabilizer doesn't fix it, it simply masks the issue. Me being me I wouldn't accept it until the wobble is gone without a stabilizer.. That's just me though.
Old 03-13-2010, 10:43 PM
  #8  
CF Veteran
 
93gc40's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Visalia, Kalifornia, ussa
Posts: 2,750
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

Originally Posted by okcjeeper
Just an FYI a steering stabilizer doesn't fix it, it simply masks the issue. Me being me I wouldn't accept it until the wobble is gone without a stabilizer.. That's just me though.
Agree.. I fixed my DW the first time this way, only thing was I got DW back a few months latter. Sure enough the Stabelizer felt good as new, guese that wasn't it.

Then I realized my XJ was built in June 1996. This things 12 years old I bet the PO never changed the TREs and ball Joints. I knew they wheel it, lightly. Trackbar was good, because that was the first thing I changed when I got the rig.
Long story short. Do a complete rebuild of the front suspension. Doesn't really cost alot of $$$ and saves a bunch of frustation. I haven't had an issue in the front end since. 1.5 Years of DD and weekly 4x4 trips.
Old 03-14-2010, 11:36 AM
  #9  
CF Veteran
Thread Starter
 
alfreado121's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Albuquerque
Posts: 1,488
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Year: 1995
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

what are some good choices for TRE's and ball joints?
where can i get a track bar and where exactly is it located?
Old 03-14-2010, 11:40 AM
  #10  
::CF Administrator::
 
okcjeeper's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Okc area
Posts: 10,039
Likes: 0
Received 15 Likes on 11 Posts
Year: 1991
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 I6
Default

Moog TRE's, don't get the cheap OE crap. Ujoints spicer, ball joints spicer or moog.

Trackbar depends on how much lift you have and so on. Personally I would get a double sheer track bar if you have any lift say 4" plus otherwise get an JKS, as it mounts the to stock spot with no mods.
Old 03-14-2010, 11:58 AM
  #11  
CF Veteran
Thread Starter
 
alfreado121's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Albuquerque
Posts: 1,488
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Year: 1995
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

i have a 3 inch lift

can i pick up all these at the local orielys? autozone parts stores?
or do i need to go to a 4x4 shop
Old 03-14-2010, 12:05 PM
  #12  
Newbie
 
nepaxj's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: North East Pa.
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.7 stroker I6 (J&S Engine)
Default

I have a 99xj and put on a 3'' rough county (coils add aleaf and shocks). Had the same problems i started out with 2.5 degree shims for the rear axle $5.00ea. still didnt work so i spent $55.00 on a 1'' transfer drop. that did work. I was happy i didnt need a slip yolk eliminator what was my next idea which is around $300.00. Dont know if this helps, im new to this too. Good luck
Old 03-14-2010, 12:14 PM
  #13  
CF Veteran
 
93gc40's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Visalia, Kalifornia, ussa
Posts: 2,750
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

Originally Posted by alfreado121
i have a 3 inch lift

can i pick up all these at the local orielys? autozone parts stores?
or do i need to go to a 4x4 shop
TRE's, bushings, bearings, U-Joints can be found at your local auto parts house. Stuff like adjustable Trackbars, control arms, sway bar link from 4x4 shops or online. IMO if you can get it at O'Riellys do it, it will cost less, if they don't carry what your need go online or to the local 4x4 shop. For me stock replacement items, local Parts House, Modified item 4x4 shop or online. Advantage of buying local is reduced or no freight charges.
Old 03-14-2010, 12:36 PM
  #14  
CF Veteran
Thread Starter
 
alfreado121's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Albuquerque
Posts: 1,488
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Year: 1995
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

ill look into those parts at the local shops and check some prices
but i was already planning on doin a tc drop so ill do that first see if it helps then go into replacing all the rest from there as my jeep is 15 years old and has been wheeled
Old 03-14-2010, 01:32 PM
  #15  
Seasoned Member
 
keith two tone cherokee's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: westland mi
Posts: 260
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Year: 93'
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0l
Default

a tc drop has nothing to do with death wobble


Quick Reply: Death Wobble



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:07 PM.