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Death wobble in the rear???? WTF???

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Old 08-24-2010, 09:38 AM
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Unhappy Death wobble in the rear???? WTF???

Well ever since i got my 95 Cherokee, it has had a really bad wobble when i hit bumps or bad pavement when I'm driving. It will nearly make me change a lane if i don't watch myself. I can me driving 20mph or 60 mph and the same thing happens, when i hit a bad patch of asphalt. My gf owned the jeep before me and said its always done it, another reason she hates the jeep with a passion!

Now i know about the death wobble the Cherokees get and mine doesn't come from the front end, its all coming from the rear.

I've already changed all 4 shocks, new set of tires and still no change, it actually seems to be getting worse with big bumps.

So XJ'ers any ideas??
Old 08-24-2010, 09:49 AM
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Sway bar or bushings, old leafs. Check those
Old 08-24-2010, 10:23 AM
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Well the leafs definitely look pretty flat, i picked up a 3" lift kit from a guy so i may throw that on.

The lift came with tubular front lower control arms, 3" coil springs, and the rear leafs which im told are no add a leafs but full leafs. but the strange thing is it has only like 3 leafs per side?? he said the lift kit was something like black diamond??
Old 08-24-2010, 10:27 AM
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Do the leafs have rolled ends for bushings?
Old 08-24-2010, 02:18 PM
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Done need a rear sway bar. Sounds like maybe a bent rim or way out of balance! or maybe a c clip came off an axle shaft? broken shaft? the leafs and axle housing likely aren't moving that much.
Old 08-24-2010, 02:55 PM
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Could be a bent axle, or bent wheel. Lift the rear end and put it on jack stands, then turn the wheels by hand to see if you get a wobble in the tire and if you are getting a wobble look close to see if it is coming from the axle shaft or the wheel. Also check your u bolts to make sure they are still tight.
Old 08-24-2010, 02:58 PM
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Might try smacking the tires once on the side with a small sledge to see if you start getting a wobble from them while you have it off the ground spinning. Be careful though.
Old 08-24-2010, 04:59 PM
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Originally Posted by Donnie_K
Done need a rear sway bar. Sounds like maybe a bent rim or way out of balance! or maybe a c clip came off an axle shaft? broken shaft? the leafs and axle housing likely aren't moving that much.
If it were a C clip issue or a busted axle, the axle would have came out of the housing and past him up by now. May be a bent flange on the axle or worn out spring bushings. Can't really tell without looking at it.
Old 08-24-2010, 05:45 PM
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i've replaced the old rims and tires and put on a newer set of rims and tires and the problem is still there, the tires were all balanced also.
the leaf springs look really flat and some of the clips holding the leaves together are rusted away and they are gaps between the leaves also, looks like rust got between the leaves.

the rear does have a sway bar on there and the bushings are old but not too bad either
Old 08-24-2010, 05:57 PM
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My guess is it has nothing to do with the rear. What you're describing sounds like bump - steer. Which is caused by steering / trackbar / front end issues. Do a search for bump steer.
Old 08-24-2010, 09:13 PM
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the wobble or jumping effect im getting is not comming from the front end when i hit bad roads or bumps the whole *** end of the jeep bounces around and will move left to right effectively changing the lane im in. the front end stays straight when i hit the bumps, it really is the rear that seem to want to move all over the place.

does that clear it up???
Old 08-24-2010, 09:22 PM
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the only thing keeping the rear axle in place is the leafs ,u bolts and center pins , i bet one of the three are bad
Old 08-24-2010, 10:11 PM
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Originally Posted by mark's91-XJ
the only thing keeping the rear axle in place is the leafs ,u bolts and center pins , i bet one of the three are bad
And shackles... I found one of mine completely eaten by rust when I went to do my lift.... if one of your springs is only connected to half a shackle it'll do all kinds of crazy things.
Old 08-24-2010, 10:14 PM
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Originally Posted by Donnie_K
And shackles... I found one of mine completely eaten by rust when I went to do my lift.... if one of your springs is only connected to half a shackle it'll do all kinds of crazy things.
He is right. I had to drive my friends cherokee home It had death wobble in the front and the cross arm was broke.
Old 08-24-2010, 10:21 PM
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Originally Posted by Diesel
Sway bar or bushings, old leafs. Check those
no it wont be the sway bar, leafs maybe or bushings id guess.
you can take the rear sway bar off and not notice.


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