Sorry, this general topic has been hashed to death almost...but I'm still not figuring out my cause.

I have 2001 XJ, 81K miles. Got my first death wobble a couple months ago, and it almost stopped my heart. I still get it when on the expressway and hitting a significant bump.

I've been under my car a number of times pulling and pushing all the suspension, and I can't find anything loose. It's all grimy, but nothing loose or obvious.

If the cause isn't obvious, are there recommended steps to replacing parts? I was going to replace the track bar first and see if that stops it, then replace the tie rod ends, then maybe steering dampener, then control arms, etc. Any recommendations on what to replace first, second, third, etc?

Or, I was jsut going to swallow my pride and Yelp for a mechanic. I'm dumb, but not that dumb.

 

9 times out of 10 it is usually either the track bar or a combination of the track bar and worn tie-rod ends. All of which are easy to replace yourself if you are even the slightest bit mechanically inclined.

 

Have someone turn the wheels as you watch the trackbar where it bolts to the axle. If you see it shift or pop as the wheels are turned, the bolt hole has ovaled. Get the front axle off the ground and check for play in the tierods and balljoints also. Death wobble can be caused by many things, but those are the big three in my book.

For those that have yet to experience death wobble, this is what your vehicle is doing.



And a brief explanation.

 

Also hard to see is the inner tie rod end. You really have to horse on it to get it to where you can see it move sometimes. But everything is in play, ball joints, all tie rods, most usually the ovaled out track bar where it bolts to the frame, and the stock track bars have a flimsy bushing that you are better off replacing with the poly graphite. Also the other side of the track bar where the joint goes into that mount, the 3 mount bolts loosen, even crack the frame sometimes.

 

You didn't mention what size tires you are running, or stock? Did you put the front of the vehicle up on jackstands while pushing/pulling and checking? With weight on the vehicle is hard to get a good assessment. Also, you don't always get a good assessment from a mechanic. Last time I took a car in to straighten a wheel the guy said there wasn't anything he could do ...he said he adjusted the tow however. Well he handed me back the keys and then I noticed he only had one arm! When I got home the bolts for the tie rod adjusters hadn't been touched!

I would first put up on jackstands and grab each front wheel hands on both sides and jerk it back/fourth side to side quick and hard. Also go up/down checking for ball joint wear. Make sure the steering column is locked. You should be able to feel some play in the steering if there is any. Bushings you almost have to lift the front axle up a little with a floor jack to take some weight off and move with a pry bar. It's hard to do, but check the top locating arm on the top-side of the axle carefully. Bushings are pretty hard to check laying on a guy's back.

I really recommend a 6pc Front End Service Puller kit as in the link below. With the pullers a guy can easily remove the suspension parts w/o damaging them. Once you have them free you can check firmness by hand. Replace the ones that are loose, and reuse those that are good. It's a handy kit. Over the years you'll probably use it a lot if you do a lot of vehicle maintainence. Harbor Freight used to sell the same thing, but I didn't see it on their sight. Now they sell the individual pullers though. But you can get one for about $41 on ebay. That's like $6 a pullers plus a little for shipping. Pretty good deal. Don't wait till they slap a 25% tax on it!

 

Pretty much echo what others say here, I have dealt with D.W. a few times on my 88 xj, last time it was passenger side ball joints. Jacked up pass. side and put a pry bar under tire, I could see up/down play in ball joints. Replaced and all was good. Also make sure alignment is good.

 

Thanks folks. It's so ironic that the death wobble experience is so extreme and drastic that you'd think the cause would be more obvious, like an exploded wheel (b/c that's what it feels like). I expected to easily find something loose, but it sounds like I need to wrench on things a bit more and try a few different diagnostic methods. If not, I'll def start with the track bar and go on from there. I've only changed the shocks, but it sounds like suspension work is something I can do with decent tools.

I also found this helpful post from a poor guy who had the same conundrum. Hopefully my issues aren't as complicated.
https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f2/dre...-23553/index2/

 

I didn't see it mentioned....

Can be as simple as alignment and balance. Don't take this for granted. My DW was corrected after this.