dzeinert

So I have a 99 sport, 3" lift, 1" tcase drop. I had 31x10.5r15 (stock rims) general at/2 on it, I upgraded to 33x12.5r15 (15x10 steel rims) mt's. Now I have wicked death wobble at 55mph. Do you think it's unbalanced wheels, or a bad drive shift angle? Or something else? All thoughts are appreciated!

Xj88

Unbalanced tires, out of round tires, something in your steering cant handle the extra size of the 33s..
could be a ton of things.

Lowrange2

Bent wheel...

Describe the death wobble. You sound like you're describing a hard vib.

ThatAintStock00

out of balance or out of round tires, toe/caster/camber incorrect for lift.

Sure it's just not a bad vibration?

This is death wobble:

Tony_SS

Can you put your old wheels/tires back on to see if it goes away?

After having some issues on my truck, I always have them road force balance my tires.

XJwonders

Have them road force balanced. It worked for me, literally difference like day and night

dzeinert

I'll try rotating the tires and see if there's a difference. It's just fine with my old wheels and tires on. Less than 55mph it's fine and it happens probably 75% of the time. Could be a hard vibe, it shakes the steering wheel pretty hard though. The rims and tires I bought used separately, and both are a bit lack luster.

Lowrange2

Is it vibrating the steering wheel or shaking the whole damn Jeep so violently that you have to pull over?

Death wobble is called death wobble for a reason. When it starts the first time you think you're about to die.

XJwonders

Lol that's how I felt when I experienced it for the first time

dzeinert

I'll try rotating the tires and see if there's a difference. It's just fine with my old wheels and tires on. Less than 55mph it's fine and it happens probably 75% of the time. Could be a hard vibe, it shakes the steering wheel pretty hard though. The rims and tires I bought used separately, and both are a bit lack luster.

kirknd4spd

I'd wonder if the tires are out of round, or a wheel bent. I'd try rotating them, put the front tires on the back, and back tires on the front and see what happens.
Tire balancing is honestly one of the last things I'd suspect. I never balanced the 33's that are on mine now, or the little 235/75's I had before, and the only time mine ever got death wobble was when the bushings in the track bar got very worn out. My unbalanced tires ride smooth though, couldn't be any smoother if they were balanced.

Go ahead and check all the steering and suspension up front too, it could be that something is worn, but not noticeable until the extra weight of the 33's is there.

dzeinert

So I finally had some time to work on the Jeep (been working crazy OT). So it only shakes from 48 to 51 (according to the speedo), I rotated the tires, checked steering components which all was tight, it is definitely a hard vibe, and doesn't happen 100% of the time. However, the other day I turned left and heard a very light clunk on the front passenger side wheel. Maybe a u-joint? I don't think it's a bent rim or uneven tires since that would get worse the faster you drive. Maybe just a bad drive shaft angle? Thanks for the help and ideas!

evan00xj

Take off your front drive shaft and see if the vibes go away. That will help you understand the difference between death wobble and driveline vibes. Do you have an adjustable track bar?

dzeinert

I do not have an adjustable track bar yet. Gonna get a double shear this week hopefully along with a steering box brace and the rusty's tie rod upgrade. Correct me if I'm wrong, but wouldn't it be pointless to remove the front drive shaft? Wouldn't the vibes be from the rear where that usually lays the issue?

evan00xj

You will be surprised when you take off an unbalanced shaft.