Experienced the Death Wobble this morning!

Hi everyone,

This morning I was driving my 1989 Jeep Cherokee and as soon as I hit about 55 mph my whole front end shook like crazy. It was so bad I thought I might run off the road. I have read a bunch of the messages on here about the “Death Wobble” but know one really seems to have any answers on how to fix it???

I just got back from dropping it off at the shop and was just wanting to know about how much it will likely cost to have it fixed? Let me know because I don’t want to have a heart attack when my mechanic gives me an estimate.

Also, does anyone have any ideas on what could be causing the shake?

Thanks,
Daniel

My 89 got the "Death Wobble pretty severe at one point, here is what I did:

got a front end alignment
replaced steering stabilizer
Balanced and rotated the tires

I never got it again after that. Try the balance and rotating first, that is the cheapest fix and most of the time will get rid of the problem.

Alright, thanks for the tip.

I have an '88 Cherokee 4x4 and the DW began in mine shortly after I got it (sure is exciting at freeway speeds ain't it!).

This is what worked for me:

I put on a new 3" Rancho lift, the wobble lessened. Put on a bigger damper, a bit less wobble. Got all new 31" tires on Enkei rims, much less wobble. Got the front aligned (the steering pulled to the right), no more wobble and more importantly, it looks real cool with the big tires, rims and lift.

The alignment is off again and I can feel a bit of the wobble, plus I have a couple of worn and loose tie rod ends so they will all get replaced and a new alignment.

But it is a fun way to scare the crap out your passengers and get them swearing they will never ride with you again and talk about how insane you are and why would anyone ever want to own, much less drive, one of these beasts when you could get a perfectly good Xterra (I'm pretty sure that's an oxymoron) and on and on and on...

it's a Jeep thang

Tell them the woble is a by product of insanity replacing reason in the modification department.

I lucked out. Front shocks fixed mine.

My 96 Grand Cherokee did the same thing it was the steering stabilizer. I replaced it myself it was not a big job.

How much is the steering stabilizer? I really hope I this won't be a huge pain in the butt. I have read alot off posts where people replaced all kinds of things and never got it worked out.

Thanks,
Daniel

The steering stabilizer should be under a $100.

The problem with DW is that anything that creates loosness or instability in the steering linkage will allow it to happen.

Any pivot point where there is play, any lack of resistance where there should be resistance and any "bump" in the road (that could be tires too) will start it.

JD

My Wrangler MT/R s gave me some pretty wicked wobble, because I waited 5000 miles to rotate them. They would woble aroun 55 and then again around 70.

Thanks for the info.

Friday my mechanic told me that I needed a new track bar and tie rod ends. So, when he gets that done I am going to have new tires put on and have a front end alignment done.

I hope this will solve the problem. I will keep you posted.

Daniel

I am starting to get pissed off! My mechanic replaced my trackbar and tie rod ends ($230) and told me that the Death Wobble was gone....

So, I just now went to pick my jeep and on the way home as soon as I hit 55 mph my front end shook so bad I thought my whole front end was about to fall off. This time I had to slow down to about 35 mph to stop the shaking! It was crazy!

Now that we know it isn't the trackbar or tie rod ends what do you think it could be. I am think about putting new tires?

Well as my dad always said. If you don’t know what the problem is always start with the cheapest thing and go from there. If you want to check your tires try switching the fronts for the back, see if the problem is still there. Then look at your stabilizer shock,take it off, and see if it is blown. (if the piston has resistance then it probably won’t be the problem). The Check the front shocks and check to see if they have resistance. These are 3 of the common problems for the Wobble and can be easily (depending on the rust situation on the bolts) checked at home for free.

Also you can check for looseness in your front end yourself. Jack up one of the tires; grab the top and the bottom of the tire and shake, then try side to side, there should be no play... Then with the help of a friend lower the front tire down about 1-2 inch off the ground, slide a 2 to 3 foot steal bar under the tire. While you are looking under the front of the Jeep have your friend lift up and down on the bar. Look for any movement in the linkages or ball joints; again there should be none. Then check the other side the same way. Just make sure when the Jeep is up that the jack isn’t on any of the suspension parts.

Always start easy..

Thanks, I will see what I can find. Let you know later this afternoon!

Daniel

Humm?? I don't know what it is? I do know my steering gear box is starting to go bad because there is some play in it. Could this be causing the Death wobble?

I am going to get some new tires in the morning. My jeep has been needing new tires for a while. Maby it will help?

Thanks,
Daniel

Humm?? I don't know what it is? I do know my steering gear box is starting to go bad because there is some play in it. Could this be causing the Death wobble?

I am going to get some new tires in the morning. My jeep has been needing new tires for a while. Maby it will help?

Thanks,
Daniel
tires could be the answer but if your steering box is loose than i would replace that next... DW is caused by and loosenes that is in the front end, no matter how small it is when you hit a bump that will trigger it Eventually you will have the problem licked after you have replaced your entire front end!!!

Well, I just got all new tires this morning but it made NO differencen still shakes like crazy. It is really weird because it happens at the exact same speed every time. As soon as I hit 55 mph it shakes. I guess my next step is to replace the steering gear box (It is the only thing that I know is loose).

Anyone know how much it will cost? I hope it won't cost more then about $450...

Anyone have other ideas?

Daniel

Well, I just got all new tires this morning but it made NO differencen still shakes like crazy. It is really weird because it happens at the exact same speed every time. As soon as I hit 55 mph it shakes. I guess my next step is to replace the steering gear box (It is the only thing that I know is loose).

Anyone know how much it will cost? I hope it won't cost more then about $450...

Anyone have other ideas?

Daniel

The only part that should make it necessary to replace the steering box is wear on the sector shaft where it comes out of the bottom of the housing and attaches to the pitman arm.

Check for play there by having a helper move the steering wheel back and forth (engine off) while you hold your hand over the housing and shaft. You will be able to feel any play at that point. You can do the same at all the other pivot points in the steering linkage too.

Also check the joints in the shaft between the steering wheel and the steering box and if the steering box is tight to the frame.

If the looseness is inside the steering box you should beable to adjust it by turning the adjuster screw in the top of the box clockwise a 1/4 turn at a time (max 1 turn without proper checking according to the manual).

If that adjustment doesn't make a difference, turn the adjuster back to the original position to make sure that it isn't over tightened.

If you do need to replace the steering box, try an auto recycler. They may have a good one out of a newer cherokee with less miles and a cheeper price.

JD

Yes, the sector shaft that is attached to the pitman arm has play. Instead of just turning it move from side to side.

Thanks for the tips.

Daniel

Hi,

Just thought I would update everyone. My death wobble is fixed.... YAY!!! It cost me near $1000 but it seems to be gone. Here is what I had to do:

1. Replace track bar
2. Replace tie rod ends
3. Replace tires and have them balanced
4. Replace steering gear box


After all that everything seems to be back to normal. Thanks for all the help.

Daniel

Now, you can just wait for it to come back. It's a Jeep; it's only a matter of time. Gotta love those straight axles.

Hahaha! I don't want to think about it!!!