cherokee001

I'm definitely taking my car to the mechanic soon, but I want some ideas.

My car has a 2" lift kit I got it in January. 100k miles on it. no problems so far.

This has happened about 2-3 times. If I hit a big pot hole the truck has a hard time recovering and shakes VIOLENTLY until I come to a stop or slow down significantly even if the road is flat. Doesn't drive particularly straight and I've had to pull over 1-2 times. However after I stop it's FINE. Truck drives normal and no issues. Doesn't pull to the side, nada. I'm still driving it, just local 3-4 miles at a time. Seems OK. I first thought it was a one-off, but it happened again yesterday. Car shook so violently that the car behind me must have seen it and pulled to the next lane.

I'm hoping it isn't anything crazy... but again this ONLY happens if I hit a major pot hole with one of my front tires. I avoid them as much as possible.

Any thoughts what the hell this could be? I've never experienced such a thing, and it's so odd that it doesn't stop shaking until I slow down or come to a near stop. Almost as if it's realigning something.

Thanks in advance.

Gee oh Dee

Its actually not odd at all. Search the sight for death wobble. See how common it is.

Did you get an alignment done when you did the lift? That could be the cause if you didn't.

Also, ANY worn front suspension or steering component could cause it.

Or something as simple as tires. Last night I swapped rims and tires off my wifes truck, put new ones on, her truck that would try and shake apart driving straight on a smooth road at 55 mph is now driving like it just came off the showroom floor.

cherokee001

thanks i'll check it out. It felt very dangerous.

craig gardner

Could be as simple as your steering Stabilizer shock as it was for me ... I changed mine n now its perfect ,it used to send all of my stuff flying around my jeep and onto the floor,so check that out also sir

tjwalker

Possible causes of DEATH WOBBLE. Isolating death wobble is a process of elimination and the root cause is not always obvious.

Note: It can oftentimes be due to a combination of things!
--------------------------------------------------------

-Front tires out of balance (try swapping fronts to rear; see if symptoms change)
-Improper lug nut torque on wheels
-Front alignment out of spec
-Loose track bar
-Worn track bar bushings
-Worn track bar end
-Bad bushings/joints in control arms
-Worn/damaged steering stabilizer (not generally a cause in and by itself)
-Worn/damaged shocks
-Worn/damaged tie rod end
-Bad U Joint
-Bad ball joint
-Loose frame mount
-Steering box loose
-Bad front hub assembly

freegdr

http://www.jeeparticles.com/technica...e_shooting.htm

cherokee001

it is DEF the Death Wobble! I feel like the jeep is going to die every time it happens. I'll have to take it to the mechanic to have a look. It's a crazy feeling like i'm in an earthquake lol.

Too bad I never heard of this before I bought it. Hope it's ok.

Btw my car came lifted when I bought it.

Gee oh Dee

Moved to advanced. Didn't realize you were lifted.

twm3000

Here are 2 articles about the death wobble:

http://www.jeeparticles.com/technica...ath_wobble.htm
http://www.jeeparticles.com/technica...e_shooting.htm

dogger15

Its usually a pretty easy fix. Just gotta know what you looking for and see if everything is tight. My suggestion is don't take it to a regular mechanic if you have a 4 wheel parts store close to you or a reliable off road store or club take it to one of them to help you out so they can show you what's going on

xjtrailrider

Steering stabilizer is a mask for a bigger issue. A steering stabilizer is not needed on a XJ when the front end is tight and as it should be. Look deeper into your issue.