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-   -   Death wobble and rear end clunking (https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f2/death-wobble-rear-end-clunking-236524/)

amber 06-10-2017 12:17 PM

Death wobble and rear end clunking
 
I have a 95 xj.. usually drives like a champ, until I hit any kind of bump at high speeds. Then it feels like my entire jeep is going to fall apart piece by piece. Only while accelerating though, when I let of the gas it stops or if I see the bump and let off the gas before hitting it it doesn't start to wobble and acts like it was never there. Also, when I first get in it to drive when I first start the back end clunks and feels like it was stuck and not wanting the tires to start moving and I forced it to start. After the initial take off it doest do it but the back end does have a slight sway letting off the gas. Any suggestions as to what it might be? I've already replaced sway bar links.

BwanaBob 06-10-2017 03:28 PM

For the front end death wobble problem you should check out all of the
front end steering and suspension parts. Something is worn or loose.

One way to check for play in the front end is park the Jeep on some
gravel or sand, lie down in front of it, have someone start the Jeep
and simply turn the wheel lock-to-lock slowly several times. Observe
the tie rod sockets for any play and listen for any pops or noises
coming from either end of the track bar or the control arm bushings.

By doing this at different times I have found loose or bad CA bushings,
loose track bar axle end bolt, loose frame mount bolts, and a
loose track bar socket. The upper control arm bushings tend
to be neglected because they are hard to get at.

So, make sure the track bar is tight at the axle end and also the
frame end. If you have the stock track bar, tighten all 6 bolts in the
frame bracket and also the socket.

********************************************

The problem in the rear could be a bad transmission mount that lets the
tranny move around too much, binding the driveshaft u-joint and causing
some sway. Also, check both of the rear driveshaft u-joints to make sure
they are secure. Check both ends of the leaf springs to make sure the
mounting brackets are not coming loose from the frame (rust can cause
this). These are all things in my experience which caused symptoms
something like what you describe.

andrewmp6 06-10-2017 11:14 PM

Do you have a lift or is the jeep stock ?

amber 06-10-2017 11:42 PM

Everything is stock. I was looking under the front end to find anything loose and the track bar had almost an inch of play and could be moved very easily. I bought a new one today for $50, gonna replace it tomorrow and see if that fixes the wobble.

amber 06-11-2017 09:04 PM

Tried replacing track bar. Castle bolt is stuck. Pin broke into pieces and once I got it broke off to get a socket on its just rounding the bolt. Knocked out a pound of rust. Would I be able to use an angle grinder with a diamond blade to cut through it?

BwanaBob 06-12-2017 09:02 AM


Would I be able to use an angle grinder with a diamond blade to cut through it?
If you can get at it without damaging the track bar's frame side mount,
a grinder would cut the steel.

If you can't cut through the track bar itself while it is on the Jeep, you might
just remove the frame side mount (two bolts under the mount and two nuts
in the wheel well by the coil spring) and then deal with the whole thing on
the bench.

When you put the mount back on, use new bolts, either Mopar originals or
grade 8 from the hardware store.

There is a real possibility that the bottom hole in the mount is wallowed out
from all the play. Your new track bar into that hole would still have play.
In that case, get another bracket from the junkyard.


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