Still Have Death Wobble
What I've replaced: Trac Bar (solid on both the axle and frame), U joints, control arms, TRE at pitman arm.
What's been done: Tires have been balanced many times, the front end has been aligned by a good shop as well.
What's already good: Ball joints, and outer TRE's, wheel bearings.
I've tried my buddys tires, thinking that my tires were bad, and still got the wobbles.
What should I have my caster set to? I have adj. control arms. I have an appointment with my guy at the shop next week and we're gonna spend an hour aligning and testing different caster angles to see what works. Moose's 4x4 in WI said around 5*
I've read the big thread on all about death wobble but I am still lost. Thanks.
What's been done: Tires have been balanced many times, the front end has been aligned by a good shop as well.
What's already good: Ball joints, and outer TRE's, wheel bearings.
I've tried my buddys tires, thinking that my tires were bad, and still got the wobbles.
What should I have my caster set to? I have adj. control arms. I have an appointment with my guy at the shop next week and we're gonna spend an hour aligning and testing different caster angles to see what works. Moose's 4x4 in WI said around 5*
I've read the big thread on all about death wobble but I am still lost. Thanks.
Everything in this picture that is highlighted is suspect in death wobble.. Check/replace whatever you haven't, but obviously be thorough, it ain't cheap to replace your whole front end..
CF Veteran

Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 3,612
Likes: 0
From: West Valley
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
Caster changes with lift size, so without specifics your not going to get the answer your looking for here. Heres some specifics, hope it helps.
http://go.jeep-xj.info/HowtoAlignment.htm
http://go.jeep-xj.info/HowtoAlignment.htm
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 81
Likes: 0
From: ABQ NM
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: Straight 6 ; 4.0L
I had the same problem. I replaced the entire frount end and realized that the problem was broken motor mounts. I replaced all three and it rides great now
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Cherokee Forum Vendor
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,448
Likes: 2
From: Lynden, WA
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Bad motor mounts will not cause death wobble. Vibration maybe. But not death wobble. I would set cast at about -6. Toe in 1/8 to 1/4" depending on what size tires you are running. A professional alignment shop should have already set both of these. How do you know your track bar and TREs are good? How did you check them? With the tires on the ground Watch under the jeep while you have a friend yank the steering wheel back in forth. I say yank because sometimes smooth movements won't show the weak link. I garauntee you see movement in your track bar, one of your steering knuckle TREs or ball joints. Also jack up the tires off the ground. Push in and out, up and down on your tire. Possibly a bad unit bearing.
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 81
Likes: 0
From: ABQ NM
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: Straight 6 ; 4.0L
Actually a bad motor mount will cause it because ive experienced it. I had the death wobble so I replaced the entire frount end steering and suspension. The wobble didnt go away untill I replaced both motor mounts and the transmition mount
CF Veteran
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 4,440
Likes: 3
From: Seal Beach, CA
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 HO Straight Six
Originally Posted by NMCherokeePilot
Actually a bad motor mount will cause it because ive experienced it. I had the death wobble so I replaced the entire frount end steering and suspension. The wobble didnt go away untill I replaced both motor mounts and the transmition mount
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 720
Likes: 1
From: vanburen
Year: 1995 &2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
What I've replaced: Trac Bar (solid on both the axle and frame), U joints, control arms, TRE at pitman arm.
What's been done: Tires have been balanced many times, the front end has been aligned by a good shop as well.
What's already good: Ball joints, and outer TRE's, wheel bearings.
I've tried my buddys tires, thinking that my tires were bad, and still got the wobbles.
What should I have my caster set to? I have adj. control arms. I have an appointment with my guy at the shop next week and we're gonna spend an hour aligning and testing different caster angles to see what works. Moose's 4x4 in WI said around 5*
I've read the big thread on all about death wobble but I am still lost. Thanks.
What's been done: Tires have been balanced many times, the front end has been aligned by a good shop as well.
What's already good: Ball joints, and outer TRE's, wheel bearings.
I've tried my buddys tires, thinking that my tires were bad, and still got the wobbles.
What should I have my caster set to? I have adj. control arms. I have an appointment with my guy at the shop next week and we're gonna spend an hour aligning and testing different caster angles to see what works. Moose's 4x4 in WI said around 5*
I've read the big thread on all about death wobble but I am still lost. Thanks.
Last edited by nickxj94; Jul 6, 2012 at 03:35 PM.
Member
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 179
Likes: 0
From: Saint Clair Shores, Michigan
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
i am having this same problem...i just replaced my trac bar but dont have an adjustable one...would an adjustable one possibly fix it? and my ball joints have some play also would this be a factor...going 70 down the interstate and getting the wobble was not fun..thanks and sorry to intervene on your thread man
CF Veteran
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 4,440
Likes: 3
From: Seal Beach, CA
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 HO Straight Six
i am having this same problem...i just replaced my trac bar but dont have an adjustable one...would an adjustable one possibly fix it? and my ball joints have some play also would this be a factor...going 70 down the interstate and getting the wobble was not fun..thanks and sorry to intervene on your thread man
An adjustable track bar is necessary if you have a lift. Stock one doesn't really cut it. But if there are other worn components (like your ball joints), an adjustable track bar isn't going to miraculously solve it.


