Rcaggiano

The all famous death wobble. I have a 2000 XJ. I put my 4.5" lift on about ten months ago. About five months ago I got the wobble( only happened once). I let it go until it started happening more and more. I thought it was just a bad tire( I had one with a broken belt). So in the past month I've put on brand new tires, both wheel bearings, all four ball joints, all four tie rod ends with drag link, and the tie rod end on my track bar, still have the death wobble, any body else got any ideas, I'm gettig fed up, and I'm lost. Any help would be much appreciated!!! Thanks. 👍

GreenXJ98

This:
And this:

Rcaggiano

Hmmmm. I think I went over all that. Minus alignment. But that don't look to bad. Maybe I'll get re aligned anyway just to make sure. Thanks green XJ

GreenXJ98

No problemo, death wobble can be hard to diagnose. Make sure to check the hole that the track bar mounts through to make sure it hasn't gotten too big for the bolt. That's a common cause of death wobble, just like the videos say. If everything's tight, maybe you need your wheels balanced, or an alignment. Whenever you get an alignment, make sure to go to a 4x4 shop that knows how to align lifted vehicles, because all the small places, like Firestone, Car-x, etc.. won't be able to do it.

SteveMongr

DW is most often caused by the track-bar or its brackets.
Track-bar needs a thorough inspection including removing it from the axle side and make sure the bolt hole has not become oval on the axle bracket. Also check torque on the bracket bolts at chassis.

Rcaggiano

Ok. I just had the track bar out. It didn't look to bad. But I guess you never know. And the bad thing about alignment is that there isn't really a 4x4 shop anywhere close by. But I'll look around and see what I can find. Thanks guys

SteveMongr

Alignment can be done at home with rather precise results (link).
Many of us have done it ourselves and never have visited a shop.
If the caster is below 5 degrees, this could aggravate DW.
http://go.jeep-xj.info/HowtoAlignment.htm

Rcaggiano

Yea. Everytime I do an alignment myself, something don't work out. Haha it never fails to fail lol

SteveMongr

The alignment consists of 2 adjustments. Caster and toe.
Do the caster first. Or at least check it with an angle finder to see where it is, or if even needs adjustment.
I would be glad to help you through it.

Rcaggiano

Ok cool. I was out looking at my front end and found that my spacer between my gear box and frame is cracked. Now I was looking at the kits, some have one plate with a spacer, and some have two. Witch one is the right kit??

SteveMongr

Those aluminum spacers often end up cracked. Closely inspect the frame-rail metal around the steering box for any cracks. It may help to have someone turn the steering wheel back and forth, just enough that the tires start to move. While you watch that area for any issues. Also look at the rest of the steering while the helper is turning.
If all is well, all you will need is the one-side spacer, but many folks run the C-rok 2 piece brace and spacer. If you plan on installing an aftermarket front bumper, it will extend past the steering box and take care of the outside frame-rail.
Here is a spacer made by a forum member here. $38 delivered.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/301075830858

Rcaggiano

Sweet deal. I plan on putting a xrc bumper on it. So I should get the extended longer one for on the outside of the sub frame right? Alone with the spacer?