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Death wobble and questions.

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Old Jul 16, 2013 | 11:45 PM
  #1  
motoman677's Avatar
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From: Chicago
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default Death wobble and questions.

When I just put my lift on I got it alliend and still have the stock tires on it. Whenever I am driving at any speed and I his a bump I get this extremely violent death wobble that pulls me off to the side of the road. I have researched it and it seem that it could be the bump steering but this seems more violent than that. I have looked into fixing it and thought about getting a Pitman drop arm but I have no idea how far I should have it go down to make the Trac bar and drag link parallel. Also If I find out the right one to get would I have to get a trac bar re-location bracket or no? Really trying to get help.
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Old Jul 17, 2013 | 12:08 AM
  #2  
slk88cherokee's Avatar
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From: newberg
Year: 1988
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
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What is the caster set at? And are all the tie good and ball joints good? How much lift? If ots under 4" no pitman or track bar drop is neccesary. The biggest culprit of dw is caster being to low or bad ball joint or track bar. Caster needs to be up in the 6-8 degree range thats what ive found works best.
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Old Jul 17, 2013 | 12:16 AM
  #3  
freegdr's Avatar
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From: Broward County Fl.
Year: 1989 xj sport 2dr
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 12 hole bosch Injectors
Default Article.

http://www.mikestrawbridge.com/XJ-death-wobble.shtml
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Old Jul 17, 2013 | 11:53 AM
  #4  
Salden Hund's Avatar
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From: Th Cloud
Year: 90'
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
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All stock. I just replace my B joints and still get the wobble. I just also put on new 235's and they tried aligning but couldn't adjust the tie rod because the two or one adjuster bolts were "welded tight from rust". I'm going to replace the tie rod an pray it fixes my wobble. There's a great write up in here that lists all possible common reasons for the wobble. I suggest searching for it.
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Old Jul 21, 2013 | 11:06 AM
  #5  
motoman677's Avatar
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From: Chicago
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
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I just put on a 4.5 inch rough country lift with stock tires for now. Got it aligned with 7 degree of caster. I'm just scared that I won't beable to get rid of this death wobble. HELP ME!!
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Old Jul 21, 2013 | 02:47 PM
  #6  
slk88cherokee's Avatar
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From: newberg
Year: 1988
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
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Does it do it after hitting bumps, braking or just totally random? Caster at 7 is perfect.
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Old Jul 21, 2013 | 04:34 PM
  #7  
deadstill1's Avatar
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From: Pellcity Alabama
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
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had same problem right after my lift got an adjustible trac bar from rusty's and a 1.5 inch drop pitman arm fixed the problem
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Old Jul 21, 2013 | 05:33 PM
  #8  
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From: charlotte
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.6L stroker
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Originally Posted by motoman677
I just put on a 4.5 inch rough country lift with stock tires for now. Got it aligned with 7 degree of caster. I'm just scared that I won't beable to get rid of this death wobble. HELP ME!!
Check :
Adjustable track bar & make sure bracket is tight. Check Tre or heim on bar. Make sure the jam nut is on there and tight. Make sure the frame isn't cracked around the bracket. Check axle side too.
Ball joints
wheel bearings
Tie rod
Drag link
Steering box & bolts
Pitman arm tre
Control arm bushings and CA bolts
Worn tires? Improperly balanced?
Sway bar should be connected and check the bushings & endlinks.
Find an alignment shop that handles lifted trucks
Dont throw steering stabilizers at it
You should be familiar with the procedure of having a friend turn the steering wheel back and forth while your under there looking for loose/ worn parts. IMO at 4.5" of lift the factory y steering setup is a joke. Take your time thoroughly inspecting everything ive listed. Report back with your progress
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