Death wobble with no lift!

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Nov 6, 2018 | 06:26 PM

#16

firebane

Senior Member

Joined: Dec 2017

Posts: 622

Likes: 9

From: Calgary, AB

Year: 1998

Model: Grand Cherokee (ZJ)

Engine: 5.2

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaRock

Just found the receipt. Here's the list:
2 Front Spindles
RT Outer Tie Rod
LT Outer Tie Rod
Both lower control arms
2 Ball Joints, upper & lower
Both front CV Axle UJoints
Both Axle Bearing & Hub Assemblies
Rotors and brake pads
Steering Stabilizer

Unless you have a zj that is a poor choice of words as cherokees don't have cv axles.

Also there should be 4 tie rods not just two. Were they replaced?

Nov 6, 2018 | 06:32 PM

#17

PatHenry

CF Veteran

Joined: Nov 2017

Posts: 3,700

Likes: 238

From: Groton, MA

Year: 1995

Model: Cherokee(XJ)

Engine: I6 4.0L

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaRock

U-bolts can cause DW!? I'll check mine just to eliminate them

He was referring to the front leaf springs (CJ and YJ wranglers used these.)

Nov 6, 2018 | 06:44 PM

#18

PatHenry

CF Veteran

Joined: Nov 2017

Posts: 3,700

Likes: 238

From: Groton, MA

Year: 1995

Model: Cherokee(XJ)

Engine: I6 4.0L

I'm going with Track bar issues as well. Check both the ball-joint end for looseness and the axle mount for a wallowed out hole.

Also, since they didn't do them, you should check the upper control arms for play - you shouldn't be able to move them by hand and your sway bar bushings (frame and end-link).

You mentioned not having the time/tools - It's not actually all that much work. You could do most everything listed in a weekend without rushing and there are not too many specialty tools required. You own an old Jeep - if you don't own most or all of the tools necessary right now, a year or two from now you probably will.

I did all the steering stuff, track bar in about 6 hours of work (taking my sweet time and painstakingly measuring trying to avoid having to get an alignment. Spoiler alert - I ended up getting the alignment.) using a regular MAP torch, hand tools, a floor jack, hammer and a single pickle fork.
U-joints are a pain, but if you rent a press (free from your local Autozone with deposit) it's not overly difficult. Hubs are pretty easy too. The only additional tool would be a 36mm socket (you should own one, btw) which you CAN get as a free loaner tool.

Nov 6, 2018 | 06:46 PM

#19

PatHenry

CF Veteran

Joined: Nov 2017

Posts: 3,700

Likes: 238

From: Groton, MA

Year: 1995

Model: Cherokee(XJ)

Engine: I6 4.0L

Quote:

Originally Posted by firebane

Unless you have a zj that is a poor choice of words as cherokees don't have cv axles.

Also there should be 4 tie rods not just two. Were they replaced?

It's funny, they also sometimes refer to the double cardan joint in the front driveshaft as "CV axle". When I think of CV axle, I think of a true CV style, not a single u-joint. Probably because it's at the front wheels.

Nov 6, 2018 | 11:00 PM

#20

DaRock

Thread Starter

Member

Joined: Oct 2008

Posts: 115

Likes: 3

From: Baltimore, MD

Year: 2001

Model: Cherokee

Engine: 4.0L 242ci 6cyl

Quote:

Originally Posted by 00t444e

looks like they didn't touch the track bar, a worm or loose track bar is the most common cause of death wobble, I would check that.

Thanks, I'm checking that today and will replace myself if (most likely) needed!

Nov 6, 2018 | 11:04 PM

#21

DaRock

Thread Starter

Member

Joined: Oct 2008

Posts: 115

Likes: 3

From: Baltimore, MD

Year: 2001

Model: Cherokee

Engine: 4.0L 242ci 6cyl

Quote:

Originally Posted by firebane

Unless you have a zj that is a poor choice of words as cherokees don't have cv axles.

Also there should be 4 tie rods not just two. Were they replaced?

Yeah, realized that about the CV after I hit submit. Had a blonde moment
Tie rods...need to check on that

Nov 6, 2018 | 11:06 PM

#22

DaRock

Thread Starter

Member

Joined: Oct 2008

Posts: 115

Likes: 3

From: Baltimore, MD

Year: 2001

Model: Cherokee

Engine: 4.0L 242ci 6cyl

Quote:

Originally Posted by dzywicki

Kind of odd they didn't do the upper control arms but those are a big PITA to change the bushings on the axle. And really odd they did all that without changing the track bar. My money would be on the track bar. In my experience that has been the part that pushes DW overt the edge. Grab it and try to move it around. Or have someone turn the steering wheel back and forth while you look at each end. Any movement at the axle side and you'll have DW for sure when you hit a bump.

Doing that today; checking the track bar. I'll also check the upper control arms for movement while I'm at it!

Nov 6, 2018 | 11:07 PM

#23

DaRock

Thread Starter

Member

Joined: Oct 2008

Posts: 115

Likes: 3

From: Baltimore, MD

Year: 2001

Model: Cherokee

Engine: 4.0L 242ci 6cyl

I realized after I read his reply again..

Nov 6, 2018 | 11:15 PM

#24

Waynerd

CF Veteran

Joined: Jan 2015

Posts: 1,469

Likes: 26

From: North canaan Connecticut

Year: 01, 99, 98, 98,98

Model: Cherokee

Engine: 4.0

Have someone steer the wheels back and forth while you get down there and watch what's going on with all the components associated with the front axle. Have them go lock to lock and also back and forth rapidly .