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my jeep shakes when i hit a bump

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Old 08-14-2010, 11:51 AM
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Default my jeep shakes when i hit a bump

ok so like when im going down the road and i hit a pot hole or like a bump of any sort my whole jeep just shakes. and my stering wheel shakes like crazy. im wondering if you have any ideas on what it could be. it is a 1993 jeep cherokee xj with 103,000 miles.
Old 08-14-2010, 11:52 AM
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death wobble... check your tires ... you may need an alignment... worn trackbar possibly
Old 08-14-2010, 11:55 AM
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https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f51/di...21/#post626608
Old 08-14-2010, 12:05 PM
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Originally Posted by hitalonit
death wobble... check your tires ... you may need an alignment... worn trackbar possibly
X2 on that plus check your tie rod ends for play, also could be an out of balance tire or shocks...Tj
Old 08-14-2010, 12:14 PM
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http://www.autoanything.com/suspensi...0A2082805.aspx

could getting this help at all? or something like this. i dont have any type of lift or anything but i do have 31s on with 1.25" spacers
Old 08-14-2010, 12:18 PM
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Originally Posted by lacrossedude
http://www.autoanything.com/suspensi...0A2082805.aspx

could getting this help at all? or something like this. i dont have any type of lift or anything but i do have 31s on with 1.25" spacers
did you look at the link I posted?

A steering damper (steering stabilizer) only hides (maybe) the effect; it does nothing to fix the root cause.
Old 08-14-2010, 12:20 PM
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yeah i did and i understand but i dont know how to fix the problem. i wish i was a car person but im really not yet.
Old 08-14-2010, 12:28 PM
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dont let it scare you, heres a diagram of the front end

Name:  tjsteering1.jpg
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you need to check all the front end components for play, having someone help you is your best bet. they turn the wheel you watch the front end, vica versa. also, make sure your tires are balanced/aligned. track bar and tires are number one reason for DW.
Old 08-14-2010, 12:30 PM
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what will happen if there is play?
Old 08-14-2010, 12:35 PM
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then you get what your experiencing, death wobble. the tie rod and the drag link should move forward and back, that is normal. everything else should be tight. check all your track bar bolts, grab ahold of the track bar and give it a shake, it shouldnt move. bring your truck to a 4wd shop and have them align it.
Old 08-20-2010, 11:18 PM
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i lifted my ZJ and then got the alignment, the guy said they couldnt do anything about the caster and i thought i should probly get a caster alignment kit, so im going down the high way and bam DEATH WOBBLE, so i got off at the next exit to look at it and everything seemed tight, im so confused on what to do now
Old 11-19-2015, 12:04 AM
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Default Death Wobble

I just came across this exact problem with my 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee. It has a very small lift on it and larger tires. I took it to a shop in which they eventually replaced both upper control arms, both lower control arms, and a few other things I forget what they called them. None of those "fixes" fixed my Jeep. It still had a violent death wobble hitting random bumps in the road. So after all that time and money spent, I myself then replaced the track bar, tie rod, and sway bar link and POOF... problem solved! So if you are experiencing the same problems, I would try replacing the track bar, tie rod, and sway bars first. Good luck.
Old 11-19-2015, 12:12 AM
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This thread was 5 years old. Please check dates before posting.
Old 11-19-2015, 12:37 AM
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So because it was posted 5 years ago, that means that magically no Jeeps are having this notorious problem anymore?? If I found it searching Google, then others will too. So you can check your own dates buddy. Good job criticizing someone trying to help.
Old 07-12-2018, 01:31 AM
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Default Same issue

Originally Posted by boardutah
So because it was posted 5 years ago, that means that magically no Jeeps are having this notorious problem anymore?? If I found it searching Google, then others will too. So you can check your own dates buddy. Good job criticizing someone trying to help.
Im having the same issue. I also agree that any added info could only benefit future readers like myself. It doesn't matter the age of a thread. We are all here looking for help. So I appreciate it.

I just bought a 2014 Cherokee Latitude. I'm not sure if what I've got going on is a DW, but if I hit even a small bump, the Jeep vibrates. Mostly from the rear. It almost feels like I'm fishtailing slightly too and the rear end is sliding out on me. I get the vibration even on a straight away, but it's worse on a corner because of the fishtailing.

I'm having g it brought into the shop for a code that came up just before I arrived to pick it up U0402. So since they will have it at Chrysler to update/reprogram/replace whatever, I will have them also take a look at some parts. Might as well have it all done while I have the 6 month warranty.

Thanks for all the good info on here, every little bit helps. I'll be back to post what they find on the 23rd of this month.

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