Death wobble cause?
Decided to adjust my alignment yesterday after getting caught up with work. I noticed my axle sits more to the drivers side than being in the middle.
Originally Posted by SeriousOffroad
Adjusting the trackbar simply moves the axle side to side.
Look at your toe-in.
Factory spec is:
TOTAL TOE-IN + 0.25°
Preferred 0° to + 0.45°
Max Rt/Lt difference .05°
Look at your toe-in.
Factory spec is:
TOTAL TOE-IN + 0.25°
Preferred 0° to + 0.45°
Max Rt/Lt difference .05°
CF Veteran




Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 5,841
Likes: 117
From: In the middle of Minnesota!
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
The thread is labeled "death wobble", so I'm assuming that you have it and that you are performing an alignment to see if you can remedy it. Good start. In case that doesn't take care of it, here is more on death wobble. I just recently remedied mine after a LONG troubleshooting process.
--------------------------------------------
My understanding of “death wobble” is this. Somewhere in the vehicle, one or more components is worn beyond tolerances, and when oscillation initiates from a suspension “traumatic” event or when a vibration reaches a certain point and harmonic at a certain speed, it causes the other components to react. It is called the “multiplier effect”, where one component affects one or more other components as the event travels through the system.
Death wobble is not uncommon with the XJ. It is even more common with a lifted XJ. Finding the worn component or components is not always easy. It can sometimes be downright difficult. Sometimes it’s obvious, other times everything appears to be okay when you perform an inspection on a hoist, but getting the vehicle up in the air and going over everything with a fine tough comb is always a good first step. It is very helpful if you know or have a technician that knows how to perform a comprehensive front end inspection. Every single component needs to be checked for abnormal play or wear.
Possible causes of DEATH WOBBLE are listed below. Isolating death wobble is a process of elimination and the root cause is not always obvious.
Note: It can oftentimes be due to a combination of things!
Check out the below link if you want extensive reading on “death wobble” causes and cures. From my research, (many hours) Kevin is among the sharpest with tracking down root cause of death wobble. He does offer some hardware for sale that can help resolve death wobble, but even if you don’t buy any parts from him, you can still get some very good ideas on what to look at in resolving your death wobble.
http://www.kevinsoffroad.com/how-to-...-death-wobble/
--------------------------------------------------------
-Front tires out of balance (try swapping fronts to rear; see if symptoms change)
-Tire pressure. Don’t laugh. It’s not a root cause but can exaggerate the problem. Experiment with lower tire pressure to see if it helps
-Improper lug nut torque on wheels
-Front alignment out of spec
-Loose track bar
-Worn track bar bushings
-Worn track bar end
-Bad bushings/joints in control arms
-Worn/damaged steering stabilizer (not generally a cause in and by itself)
-Worn/damaged shocks
-Worn/damaged tie rod end
-Bad U Joint
-Bad ball joint
-Loose frame mount
-Steering box loose
-Bad front hub assembly
--------------------------------------------
My understanding of “death wobble” is this. Somewhere in the vehicle, one or more components is worn beyond tolerances, and when oscillation initiates from a suspension “traumatic” event or when a vibration reaches a certain point and harmonic at a certain speed, it causes the other components to react. It is called the “multiplier effect”, where one component affects one or more other components as the event travels through the system.
Death wobble is not uncommon with the XJ. It is even more common with a lifted XJ. Finding the worn component or components is not always easy. It can sometimes be downright difficult. Sometimes it’s obvious, other times everything appears to be okay when you perform an inspection on a hoist, but getting the vehicle up in the air and going over everything with a fine tough comb is always a good first step. It is very helpful if you know or have a technician that knows how to perform a comprehensive front end inspection. Every single component needs to be checked for abnormal play or wear.
Possible causes of DEATH WOBBLE are listed below. Isolating death wobble is a process of elimination and the root cause is not always obvious.
Note: It can oftentimes be due to a combination of things!
Check out the below link if you want extensive reading on “death wobble” causes and cures. From my research, (many hours) Kevin is among the sharpest with tracking down root cause of death wobble. He does offer some hardware for sale that can help resolve death wobble, but even if you don’t buy any parts from him, you can still get some very good ideas on what to look at in resolving your death wobble.
http://www.kevinsoffroad.com/how-to-...-death-wobble/
--------------------------------------------------------
-Front tires out of balance (try swapping fronts to rear; see if symptoms change)
-Tire pressure. Don’t laugh. It’s not a root cause but can exaggerate the problem. Experiment with lower tire pressure to see if it helps
-Improper lug nut torque on wheels
-Front alignment out of spec
-Loose track bar
-Worn track bar bushings
-Worn track bar end
-Bad bushings/joints in control arms
-Worn/damaged steering stabilizer (not generally a cause in and by itself)
-Worn/damaged shocks
-Worn/damaged tie rod end
-Bad U Joint
-Bad ball joint
-Loose frame mount
-Steering box loose
-Bad front hub assembly
Last edited by tjwalker; Dec 14, 2011 at 05:23 PM.
I have a bent and seized tie rod. No alignment adjustment today. Adjusted trac bar too far to passenger side now. Hear popping noise when doing anything while driving. Had one tech bounce jeep while I layer underneath and the trac bar is popping. Problem is I have no idea how old any of the aftermarket stuff is. So I just assume is shot. Replacing it will give me piece of mind
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