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Noob question on Death Wobbles

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Old Jan 6, 2016 | 08:47 PM
  #1  
Michael Grant's Avatar
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From: N San Diego
Year: 95
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Default Noob question on Death Wobbles

I just picked up my first 4x4 three weeks ago. A lifted 95 Cherokee. The guy mentioned something about the track bars needing work or replacement because of some wobbling. I'm not quite sure cuz he could barely speak English.

The thing is I have not felt any kind of shaking or wobbling that has concerned me. I don't know why he would tell me about it. Especially because he lied about some problems and didn't tell me about a bunch of others. Chula Vista Scum!

So what does a death wobble feel like? Should I be concerned?
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Old Jan 6, 2016 | 11:27 PM
  #2  
93_xjcherokee's Avatar
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From: tucson
Year: 1992
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You'll know death wobble when you get it. Trust me. When you hit a pot hole or an uneven road usually. Your whole jeep goes into a violent shake and you have to slow way down to come out of it. Its scary if you're on the freeway
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Old Jan 7, 2016 | 12:23 AM
  #3  
Turbo X_J's Avatar
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From: ☼ Blackhole Sun
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Originally Posted by Michael Grant
Chula Vista Scum!
One o those craft beers?
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Old Jan 7, 2016 | 01:04 AM
  #4  
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Watch this video
and picture that happening to you about 50mph or faster with no warning.
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Old Jan 7, 2016 | 08:28 PM
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Michael Grant's Avatar
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Holy crap that's crazy. And that Jeep was legit.

What does the video mean by "our results"? How do you fix excessive play in the steering box? And does the video mean the caster had to be adjusted to combat the problem? The last one seems obvious. Check for worn bushings.

Maybe I should get a block of wood and test it.

Anything else I should check for? Here's some pics of my suspension. So far I've been told that my setup is mismatched.








And if this were to occur how should I handle it? Let off the gas and try to hold it straight until it stops? If I try to pull to the side of the road while I'm slowing down, would that be ok? Or would trying to turn the wheel either way cause me to lose control? And should I not touch the brakes?

Last edited by Michael Grant; Jan 7, 2016 at 08:36 PM.
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Old Jan 8, 2016 | 12:04 AM
  #6  
Turbo X_J's Avatar
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Originally Posted by Michael Grant
And if this were to occur how should I handle it? Let off the gas and try to hold it straight until it stops? If I try to pull to the side of the road while I'm slowing down, would that be ok? Or would trying to turn the wheel either way cause me to lose control? And should I not touch the brakes?
When you have to answer to that you be sure and let everyone else know.
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Old Jan 8, 2016 | 12:42 AM
  #7  
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Tell you have death wobble i wouldn't be worried about it.
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Old Jan 8, 2016 | 08:26 AM
  #8  
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From: Lennox/Sioux Falls South Dakota
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0 liter inline 6
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Sir if you find the ultimate solution to death wobble you should get a nobel prize. For me it took 2 new bushings and a new set of tires.
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Old Jan 10, 2016 | 08:53 AM
  #9  
peep's Avatar
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Year: 1989 Laredo
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Check your toe, easiest to check. Insure you have about 1/16 - 1/8 toe in.
You look lifted, then you need to add back in more caster.
All your rod ends, ball joints, and ends of the track bar need to be in excellent condition and tight.
Your tires look good, insure they are balanced.
Insure your universal joints on axles and drive shafts are tight, lubricated, not worn our or alternatively seized.
Shocks and damper need to be in good condition, no leaks, no loose, have dampening control on compression and rebound.
Seems you currently don't have D wobble. You'll definately know.
Lift off throttle, apply brakes, get your speed down to get the wobble back in control.
Proceed at a slower pace and investigate what has changed or worn out.
Read thru many forum threads to learn about the power of the XJ.
You'll separate the truths from the fictions.
Enjoy!
I don't know where Chula Vista is, but place it on your no fly zone list.
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Old Jan 10, 2016 | 10:41 AM
  #10  
Fred/N0AZZ's Avatar
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From: Monett, MO.
Year: 1999
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That was your fault you should have taken someone with you that spoke Spanish, hell it was that way back in 1966 when I was there, if you didn't.
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Old Jan 18, 2016 | 11:46 PM
  #11  
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I have a death wobble in my 2000 Laredo. I had replaced everything except the upper and lower ball joints, and when I hit an uneven bump doing about 70 the jeep feels like it's coming unglued. I have to accelerate to stop the shaking. Slowing down doesn't help. Pretty sure it'll be fixed after the ball joints.
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Old Jan 22, 2016 | 11:08 AM
  #12  
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I had several death wobble in my 92 xj Laredo, if you make a check of anything that could cause it I had it. My ***** joints where shot they fell apart when I changed them, all joints on my steering linkage were shot trac bar was cracked and due to the ball joints the front tires were bald on the inside. Replaced everything up front with new to slightly used parts and it went away. Until last night, found out my trac bar mount on the axel has a 1/8" crack causing movement. Still deciding if I should weld it up or do an axel swap.
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