still have a death wobble
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Seasoned Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 290
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From: steilacoom washington
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee
Engine: striaght 6 4.0l
After replacing all my tie rodes and ball joints wheel hub assembly still am getting a death wobble on the left side any thoughts?
CF Veteran




Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 5,840
Likes: 117
From: In the middle of Minnesota!
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
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. 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 D.W He does offer some hardware for sale that can resolve death wobble, but even if you don't buy anything from him, you can get some great ideas of things to try.
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. 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
Death wobble is not uncommon with the 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 D.W He does offer some hardware for sale that can resolve death wobble, but even if you don't buy anything from him, you can get some great ideas of things to try.
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. 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
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 982
Likes: 0
From: seacoast, new hampshire
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Sway bar brushings will not cause dw. You should look into the track bar like stated above, along with getting an alignment and rebalancing your tires.
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CF Veteran
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,562
Likes: 3
From: Spanaway
Year: 97
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
Does it shake so bad you think your gonna die? or does it just shimmy? If you think your goona die its DW.If not it could just be a tire out of balance or not round anymore.Or a bad wheel bearing. Lay under the front of your jeep and have someone you trust with your life start it up and turn the wheels back and forth slowly. Check track bar to frame mount, it is a common cause, there is a spacer between the "frame" and track bar mount that will corrode and make the bolts feel tight even though their not. Look for clean shiny spots to find loose mounts. Do ALL of your bushings still have rubber?Your promblem could be any one of your suspension mounts. Check them all.
I had a 3.5" lift and no DW. I put a 4.5" lift on and got DW! MY cure? Adjustable Upper Control Arms. Point the front axle pinion at the transfer case and it will be close enough (also changes CASTER angle, which I believe is the actual cure). I have not had a shake, shimmy or vibration since and I still have stock steering linkage.
I had a 3.5" lift and no DW. I put a 4.5" lift on and got DW! MY cure? Adjustable Upper Control Arms. Point the front axle pinion at the transfer case and it will be close enough (also changes CASTER angle, which I believe is the actual cure). I have not had a shake, shimmy or vibration since and I still have stock steering linkage.
Last edited by mudderx; Oct 28, 2011 at 10:16 AM.
Thread Starter
Seasoned Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 290
Likes: 0
From: steilacoom washington
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee
Engine: striaght 6 4.0l
Yea its shakes like the track bar wants to just go out from underneath the jeep ill check it when I get off of work cause i did see some shimmy metal on the frame on the track bar mount . How would I go about adjust that back to normal
CF Veteran
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,562
Likes: 3
From: Spanaway
Year: 97
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
Shinny metal is caused by loose parts rubbing against each other. Id say remove track bar frame mount if your sure thats the culprit and replace the shim. Or have one made from steel. Its my understanding that the shim is alluminum or an alloy. I heard the stock shim is about $20 at a junkyard. Might check the torque on trackbar mount bolts. I think they are supposed to be 180#? Im not sure, check the book or web for specs.
Last edited by mudderx; Oct 28, 2011 at 11:54 AM.
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