I couldn't be lucky forever, the Death Wobble has come to my '01. I'm going to start the search for the root with the Track Bar and the tie rod ends. My question, can a fair-to-middling back yard mechanic replace these parts without risk of getting halfway through and realizing the task exceeds my skill level? I have done the simple stuff (radiator replacement, muffler, etc), but suspension work is a whole new ballgame. Does this type of repair still fall in the "beginner" category or are we moving in to "competent and well versed"-territory?

 

Ball joints, and track bars are still well within beginners level as long as you dont see cracks or anything that requires welding.

 

I cured mine with a steering stabilizer and an alignment. Presto! Cheaper than ball joints and or a trac bar. (worked for my friends too)

 

But to answer your question you should be able to do those no problem. Grab a Haynes or Chilton manual. It goes over those step by step.

 

Thanks. May try the stabilizer first. Most of the (hundreds of) posts re: this seemed to come down to "just start pulling and replacing until it stops" (don't get me wrong, all well intended/learned advice I'm sure). I was just going with two of the more common themes that seemed to also possibly fall within my skill set. Or maybe replace all while I'm dirty and got the tools out. As said, all seem to be fairly common failures at 150k miles.

 

check your toe first its a very common problem

 

read this...http://go.jeep-xj.info/HowtoAlignment.htm

 

Firestone had an alignment for 50 or lifetime for 100. Payed for itself over and over already. Everytime I add new front suspension I get an alignment.

 

Heck, I replaced a track bar! It would have been easier if I had a pickle fork. Only replace items that you KNOW are loose/worn/moving first. Replacing the steering stabilizer might be a bandaid that just hides some other issues.

 

Thanks for all the advice, friends. This forum is tops. Good capable folk helping out the lesser of us with great advice and endless patience. I went down on her and the stabilizer is definitely shot, but the trac looks fine and isn't loose. Think I'll pull/replace the stabilizer and replace the tie rod ends (if I'm gonna go to the trouble of getting to them, might as well replace them-she's rolling with 150k miles and it's time to start repaying loyalty).

Again, I'm obliged to you all for the help.

 

Yes, getting a new stabilizer may get rid of death wobble, but its masking the initial problem. they are cheap enough, but I would replace that absolutely last after DW is fixed. for me it was tie rod ends. I replaced all 4 of them and it went away, also put in a new stabilizer. then did the ball joints. those were a pain in the neck though, even renting the press kit from the auto store. it didnt come with the angled press or catch to do the one ball joint, i had to shim it with a wrench.

Ball joints are not fun at all. the rest of the stuff is doable pretty easy, make sure you got monkey wrench to bust the tie rods loose, and a pickle fork and a nice hammer. i didnt do the trackbar with everything else cause i knew i was going to be lifting it and going adjustable. also make sure your tires are in good balance, and make sure you get an alignment, though there are several write ups on how to do one, and its fairly easy.