Leeroycherokee96

I have a 96 that started to get the wobbles didn't think to much then got bad. Looked into it an changed my ball joins both where bad on the side I had the wobbles an also changed the wheel bearing hub. Started driving everything felt out then hit a bump an them death wobbles started again. What should I look into trying next?

XXXJR

Are your tires balanced?

holycaveman

First off we need to define death wobble. Death wobble is when the front end shakes so violently that you can NOT continue to drive it. You have to usually slow down till it stops. Again "so violently" that you can not hold onto the wheel.

If it is not shaking like that, then it is NOT death wobble.

holycaveman

Usually a combination of a bad tire and worn or loose track bar can set it off. Normally ball joints and bearings have little effect on death wobble but of course need to be addressed as well. Even tie rod ends and steering components seem to have little effect on DW. However a poor castor/toe can effect it. Worn out lca's will have some effect but not drastic.

dave1123

The clue here is you stated it was only on one side. Check the tire for balance and internal damage. Even a new tire can be at fault. Also check for a bent rim. If it were mine, I would have replaced the ball joints and hubs on BOTH sides.

Sometimes a mild shaking can be caused by the rear tires and transmit throughout the vehicle.

But, as the caveman stated, the trackbar bushings are the major culprit. There are bushings are on the axle end and a ball joint on the frame end.

Leeroycherokee96

Yes it's shaking like that I wouldn't have put death wobble if it wasn't.

Leeroycherokee96

I took tires to get balanced an they are good so I'm thinking its one of the many things you have talked about. I'm trying to get back to Ky an cant fix both sides right now or I would cause I know it can mess things up as well. Would the alignment an bad shocks have anything to do with this problem as well?? Thank you for your help as well.

dave1123

Absolutely!

odgreen

Alignment yes. Shocks no. Check your track bar for play. Track bars are the #1 cause of dw

Leeroycherokee96

Ok had alignment done an it's still got the wobbles was looking around myself an looks like both tie rod end an bushing on track bar are flat an got grease all out of them. Should I change them all an hope it helps this time.

holycaveman

Without seeing it I can't tell you for sure that they are bad. But they are fairly inexpensive to repace, and you do have a problem.

dave1123

Frankly, I can't understand how an alignment was done with bad tierod ends. Most places don't take your money if everything's not right before they start.

93_xjcherokee

I had DW on a 91. I replaced my lower control arm bushings and never had another problem

Brew

Edit: Wobble of Death Issues? You should replace everything & not question why.

SeriousOffroad

sigh.....

Steering Stabilizers (Steering Dampeners) DO NOT cause or prevent Death Wobble. Never Ever Ever.

A properly aligned front end does not need an SS.

What is death wobble and how do I fix it?

CF Threads with Death Wobble in the title (449).