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Death wobble

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Old Mar 7, 2011 | 02:17 PM
  #1  
slipknot0387's Avatar
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From: Brownsville, Texas
Year: 1989
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default Death wobble

I have a 89 jeep cherokee and I currently have the death wobble, anyone know what I would need to fix it? Its lifted but I have no idea how high since I bought it like that.
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Old Mar 7, 2011 | 02:51 PM
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From: muskogee oklahoma
Year: 1988
Model: Cherokee
Engine: I6
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That is the ultimate Xj question... there is no one solution for death wobble... for me it was shot tie rods and steering stabilizer... I would start by putting your front end on jack stands and shake your tires and look for loose play then shake your steering linkages replace loose parts.... then change your steering damper if it is old... a little research will go a long ways... post a pic of your Xj and I'm sure someone can tell you what lift you have... don't forget to mention what size of tires you are running
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Old Mar 7, 2011 | 03:01 PM
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From: South Carolina
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 HO
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After spending countless $ on:
Wheel bearings
Adj track bar
Pitman arm
AlignmentS
HD Steering box
HD stabilizer (came w/ my lift)
Adj HD lower control arms
...I finally fixed my death wobble with Adj HD UPPER Control arms!!
Nothing hardly even helped from the above list but when I put the upper arms on it was solid as a rock...not even a little wobble!
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Old Mar 7, 2011 | 04:00 PM
  #4  
slipknot0387's Avatar
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From: Brownsville, Texas
Year: 1989
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
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Im runnin 33's and I just finish buyin the steering damper, I lifted my truck and there is no play on the tires but there is a little play on my sway bar bushings, sway bar links and a little play on the track bar im gonna try the damper and new sway bar links then ill go for there if it dont work
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Old Mar 7, 2011 | 05:06 PM
  #5  
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From: Oroville, CA
Year: 1995
Model: Grand Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 with all of the noise and clatter
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Maybe try the freakin search button, there is about a million threads for death wobble! And don't waste your money on a steering stabilizer, they do not cure or cause death wobble, only hide it.
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Old Mar 7, 2011 | 05:34 PM
  #6  
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From: muskogee oklahoma
Year: 1988
Model: Cherokee
Engine: I6
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Originally Posted by Bustedback
Maybe try the freakin search button, there is about a million threads for death wobble! And don't waste your money on a steering stabilizer, they do not cure or cause death wobble, only hide it.
Wow... are you serious? No hostility needed
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Old Mar 7, 2011 | 05:40 PM
  #7  
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From: Watha,NC
Year: Jeepless at the moment
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[QUOTE=Bustedback;897875]Maybe try the freakin search button, there is about a million threads for death wobble! And don't waste your money on a steering stabilizer, they do not cure or cause death wobble, only hide it.[/QUOTE]
A properly set rig can run WITHOUT a steering stabilizer.
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Old Mar 7, 2011 | 05:42 PM
  #8  
Modestmike's Avatar
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From: Los Fresnos, Texas
Year: 2k
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
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I don't have a steering stabilizer on mine. No DW....hope I didn't just jinx myself.
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Old Mar 7, 2011 | 05:45 PM
  #9  
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From: Ypsilanti, MI
Year: 2001
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
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Originally Posted by slipknot0387
Im runnin 33's and I just finish buyin the steering damper, I lifted my truck and there is no play on the tires but there is a little play on my sway bar bushings, sway bar links and a little play on the track bar im gonna try the damper and new sway bar links then ill go for there if it dont work

I say start at the track bar bushing. Was the definite cause of mine but if you see play in other places fix them too.
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Old Mar 7, 2011 | 05:54 PM
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I would just take the sway bar off, if u do any wheeling it'll give u way more flex. And with the death wobble try upgrading ur trac bar with one from rustys or if u can fab make one urself. It almost eliminated my death wobble and I'm running 33x13.5 tsl bias
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Old Mar 7, 2011 | 06:08 PM
  #11  
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From: Watha,NC
Year: Jeepless at the moment
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Originally Posted by jeepster427
I would just take the sway bar off, if u do any wheeling it'll give u way more flex. And with the death wobble try upgrading ur trac bar with one from rustys or if u can fab make one urself. It almost eliminated my death wobble and I'm running 33x13.5 tsl bias
I DO NOT Recommend you take the front sway bar off and drive on the street, the rear some XJs never had rear sway bars from the factory. for the DW start with the trac bar it should be paralel with the drag link, then all bushings in the u/l control arms. report any finding back here for guidance if uncertain.

Last edited by fishtaconc; Mar 7, 2011 at 06:16 PM.
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Old Mar 7, 2011 | 06:09 PM
  #12  
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From: Los Fresnos, Texas
Year: 2k
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
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Originally Posted by fishtaconc
Never take the front sway bar off and drive on the street, the rear some XJs never had rear sway bars from the factory. for the DW start with the trac bar it should be paralel with the drag link, then all bushings in the u/l control arms. report any finding back here for guidance if uncertain.
I don't see the problem with taking the sway bars off in the front. I don't have any on mine....but I don't drive it like a sports car.

Last edited by Modestmike; Mar 7, 2011 at 06:27 PM.
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Old Mar 7, 2011 | 06:18 PM
  #13  
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From: Watha,NC
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Originally Posted by Modestmike
I don't see the problem with taking the sway bars off in the front. I don't have any on mine....but I all don't drive it like a sports car.
I edited my op, I just dont recommend it, Ive seen people in XJs with 4.5" lift trying to drive it like its a Civic.
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Old Mar 7, 2011 | 07:17 PM
  #14  
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From: Oroville, CA
Year: 1995
Model: Grand Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 with all of the noise and clatter
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Originally Posted by xjshake
Wow... are you serious? No hostility needed
Yes, I'm very serious.
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