So when i get up to about 60-65mph, my xj starts to have a mild shake; it's not super violent bu definately annoying. It was worse until i replaced a wheel which turned out to be bent. Could this be the dreaded death wobble i keep reading about?

 

Its not that bad.

Ever use fix a flat? Alignment. Unbalanced Tires.

Trac Bar(bushings, mounts), Axle Mounts, Tie Rods, Caster Angle, Control arm bushings, Steering box bolts/spacer, Frame(cracks in frame could make steering box feel loose), Damaged steering stabilizer, Bad ball/u joint, drive shaft not balanced, bad front hub, idler arm.

Check those

 

if there's not a load in your pants when it happens, then most likely not death wobble. its still could be just not that bad of a death wobble, mine would throw me into my window it was so bad. but what DIESEL said all those are causes of DW.

 

You will know when you have a death wobble, there is no mistaking it. They don't call it a mild concern wobble, it is called death wobble for a reason, it scares you to death when it happens.

 

Mine does the same thing from 57 to 61. The hand flops around a lil side to side like you mention. Previous owner plugged a couple tires and used fix-o-flat. So this caused the mini bounce. On a death wobble you will def. crap your pants. Had a 74 super beetle with bad tie rod ends and if you hit a good bump at 35 or over you couldnt even hold on to the wheel.

 

thanks guys. i guess i won't worry about it to much then. I don't think it is anything tirerelated because they were just mounted not that long ago. I will check the suggested areas though.