Go over bump, shaky steering wheel?
Thread Starter
Seasoned Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 379
Likes: 2
From: New England
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
Seems like anytime I go over a big bump the steering wheel becomes real loose and shakes around at the time. Any ideas?
CF Veteran




Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 5,840
Likes: 117
From: In the middle of Minnesota!
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Always post the year/engine.
Search for "death wobble".
If the wobble you feel is serious enough that you crap your pants, you have "death wobble"! It is NOT uncommon with the XJ; I'm working on it with my 99 right now.
Search for "death wobble".
If the wobble you feel is serious enough that you crap your pants, you have "death wobble"! It is NOT uncommon with the XJ; I'm working on it with my 99 right now.
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CF Veteran
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 4,440
Likes: 3
From: Seal Beach, CA
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 HO Straight Six
CF Veteran




Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 5,840
Likes: 117
From: In the middle of Minnesota!
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
My money is on "we don't know". There are common culprits, but there are many unique situations and combinations of hardware causing death wobble. What caused one person's death wobble may or MAY NOT be the root cause of the next. Don't assume anything here.
---------------------------------------------
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 inspection.
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 this link if you want extensive reading on “death wobble” causes and cures.
From my research, 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 good ideas on what to look at in resolving your 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 inspection.
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 this link if you want extensive reading on “death wobble” causes and cures.
From my research, 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 good ideas on what to look at in resolving your 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
CF Veteran
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 4,440
Likes: 3
From: Seal Beach, CA
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 HO Straight Six
Use the information above. One of those components or problems is causing your death wobble.
Now, if you are feeling brave, when you hit a bump and it starts doing it again, stick your head out of the window and look at your front tire so you can really see what's going on. You'll **** yourself
Now, if you are feeling brave, when you hit a bump and it starts doing it again, stick your head out of the window and look at your front tire so you can really see what's going on. You'll **** yourself
CF Veteran
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 2,173
Likes: 0
From: Columbus, Ohio
Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0, comp cam, 99 intake, apn header, neon injectors, Thunderbolt 2.5" High Flow Cat
My money is on "we don't know". There are common culprits, but there are many unique situations and combinations of hardware causing death wobble. What caused one person's death wobble may or MAY NOT be the root cause of the next. Don't assume anything here.
---------------------------------------------
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 inspection.
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 this link if you want extensive reading on “death wobble” causes and cures.
From my research, 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 good ideas on what to look at in resolving your 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 inspection.
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 this link if you want extensive reading on “death wobble” causes and cures.
From my research, 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 good ideas on what to look at in resolving your 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 XJcruzin’; Apr 7, 2018 at 01:04 PM.



