So below is a video of one of my 1998 Cherokee 4.0 Sport 4x4 100% stock - the front end.

This jeep has death wobble, bad. Mostly only between 60-70 mph.

I know i 100% need front tires and an alignment, but there are some things i need to fix. There is clunking/banging when turning in reverse or uneven ground at low speeds, and there is lots of slack in the steering wheel.

I got underneath, shook some stuff around, and I found 2 loose TRE's, a drag link that is tight, but clanks when tapped my hand, and a loose axle U-Joint. Please watch this short video, and put your sound up to hear the sounds. Give any input that you can (What I need to fix, what is normal, what exact parts i might need, etc.) - note - I do zero offroading, so i a just looking for the cheapest, yet effective fix... I am not looking to cut corners, but am not looking to upgrade to parts from a zj or rugged ridge, anything like that

 

I figured out how to embed the video. Please watch

 

Output shaft of the steering box is loose you can tighten a small allen head on the top of the box.
Those rod ends are probably at the end of there life although the rotation is normal side to side and up and down play are not.

Start with ALIGNMENT that is a huge factor for death wobble. If it isn't...
My bet is track bar. Didn't see you wiggle it but 7/10 times it is that. (yes exactly 7/10 lol)

Have somebody turn the wheel a little back and forth and watch for any play.

 

I don't want to waste money on an alignment yet, since i will have to do it again after replacing these parts anyway. Thanks for your info. I will be replacing the tie rod ends, and i will tighten up the output shaft like you said (Where exactly is it located, if you can describe it). And i am pretty certain that the U-joint at the end of the video is in need of replacing.

Then alignment and tires.

If DW is still there, Ill do the track bar... Although i didnt film it because it was solid.

 

The "death wobble" sucks since there are many things that can cause it on an XJ. Is it actual "death wobble" where it feels like your front wheel is about to come off? (Imagine only tightening your lug nuts down half way). I'd start with fixing all the loose things you showed. I'll look under my XJ tomorrow and see if there's any play in the same parts on mine. Recently I had a DW problem myself after changing front hubs and found it was caused by the tires being off balance from them warping to the shape needed to work with the bad hubs

 

When it's time to replace worn out parts....UPGRADE!

 

Alignment can be done free.. By you.
Search

 

Misinformation. I would suggest you leave that steering box bolt alone--i've heard it can cause the box to fail if you're not careful. Also, alignment can be a factor in death wobble, but only slightly.

one thing you did not cover in the video and nobody else replied with is...CHECK YOUR TRACK BAR. This is likely the #1 cause of DW. It has a TRE on a bracket in it's stock form that can wear out just as steering TREs do. The track bar holds your axle in place, and if there is any play there, it'll drift around and "wobble" while you're driving. Start there. It's normal for there to be SOME play in the the TREs. Yours does seem excessive, though.

Do what 831xj suggested and have someone turn the wheel back and forth and check these items.

 

The only reason i did not film the track bar is because it was solid as could be. Before i filmed i spent like 20 minutes trying to get stuff to wiggle or move even slightly... If I make these repairs, and it is still there, i will just replace the track bar anyway...

I see you said not to tighten that bolt... I have not done it yet, but what do you reccomend? In the video, you can hear the pitman arm make noise when i tap on it... is this normal, or is something actually loose that i need to address?

 

You need to fix that leak at the front of the engine. Might be the water pump.

 

Help here too. I just got it smogged. I was so bleeping happy, I drove it around. I had that Death Wobble. Happened on the freeway. Holy bleep. I pulled over. Nothing. Went on my way. Seems to happen at 65 - 80mph. I drove it again and it felt like about to happen again. Lower speeds , no issue. It feels like something causes both front wheels to go in separate directions like one in one out. Then when pull over, it tightens up. What should be looking for to inspect? And what should it look like if its good? Any good videos or diagrams, etc to look at?
Thanks. That wobble scares the bleep out of you. I do have a bad driver side tire needing replacement. Probably caused by whatever is wrong in the front end. Alignment for sure, but want to fix what's wrong first. Mine is a 1994 Jeep Cherokee, 2WD.

Also, is it better to replace the entire track bar (if it's bad bushings) or is it ok to replace the bushings?

Should I start a new thread? Don't want to hi-jack or be rude to anyone.

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As a side note, What is TRE? Is there a section here for the acronyms? I fail in knowing what all the abbreviations are?

 

You're probably in need of a complete front end rebuild. Worn control arm bushings, a worn or soft track bar bushing, worn tie rod ends and ball joints can all cause death wobble. That bad tire on the left front isn't helping things either.

 

Ok. I will do that if needed. I'll get someone to turn the wheel as I look under. . What is TRE? That bad tire I think is caused by Front end problems. I previously did buy a spare tire from the junk yard, and seemed good. I put the spare on. And left it since seemed running well. But now it is worn. I'll put the other tire back on. But I know it will get wrecked. Outside worn like a bad alignment. But I think it's more.

Also, is it better to replace the entire track bar (if it's bad bushings) or is it ok to replace the bushings?
Can I replace all the bushings instead of replacing entire parts. Looking to save $. But is it worth it? Is Napa, Autozone a good place to buy the parts? Or online? Like RockAuto? Or suggestions please.

 

Tie Rod End. You can replace the track bar bushing with a polyurethane bushing for about 15 bucks from Autozone.

 

X2. That's not something you mess with lightly, and your wobble is likely play between the wheels. Save looking into how to do that for last at least. (it's recommended that is done with the box on the bench)