Wobble

ufdan25 · #1 05-23-2009, 07:41 PM

I'm starting to experience the "death wobble" which is frustrating since I just had to replace the compressor and the entire cooling system. I'm driving a 2000 Cherokee Sport.

I know it's in need of an alignment because I have to hold the steering wheel at about 15 degrees left of center to keep it straight. It's wobbling the worst at around 50mph. It's also pulls a lot to the left and right. It just started doing this in the last few days and is progressively getting worse. I'm going to have to take it to a mechanic this time around so any advice before I go in would be greatly appreciated.

I don't know if it did anything, but I started noticing the problem while hauling a large trailer...

Thanks!

fredjacksonsan · #2 05-24-2009, 07:51 PM

Alignment. Balance tires.

These are the biggest causes, and towing a trailer would change the geometry of the front end and possibly make it worse.

Post back after you've done those two things and let us know how it's going.

MagicRat · #3 05-25-2009, 08:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fredjacksonsan

Alignment. Balance tires.

These are the biggest causes, and towing a trailer would change the geometry of the front end and possibly make it worse.

Post back after you've done those two things and let us know how it's going.

Good advice. Your Jeep just needs a bit of work, no big deal.

FWIW, your Jeep does not have death wobble. DW is far, far more severe and terrifying than what you describe.

Jeeps prone to DW will drive just fine, until they hit a bump at high speed just so... then they instantly go into a severe oscilation and shaking in the front end. The shaking is uncontollable; all one can manage is to bring the Jeep to a stop and be thankful one is still alive.

There is no 'mild' DW at all and you cannot continue to drive while your Jeep is doing the DW.

If you experience it, you have no doubt about what it is.

ufdan25 · #4 05-26-2009, 09:47 AM

You were right. The steel belt separated and formed a large lump on the left front tire which made it seem like it was out of control. It got worse over time because the lump was getting larger.

I replaced two tires and had it aligned and no more problems. Glad it was not the "death wobble." Hopefully I'll never experience that.

Thanks for the response.

fredjacksonsan · #5 05-26-2009, 09:56 AM

Quick note: if your rear tires are worn, you might have an issue engaging or using 4WD. It's usually recommended to replace 4 tires at once, or at least make sure all 4 have the same diameter. Just a thought.

ufdan25 · #6 05-26-2009, 03:34 PM

I noticed something today while driving. The severe wobbling from the tire is gone, but when I hit the brakes the Jeep tends to pull slightly left or right. Also, there is still some vibration at 40-50 mph. Could that be warped rotors?

fredjacksonsan · #7 05-26-2009, 04:58 PM

What kind of vibration are you experiencing? Does the steering wheel vibrate, or move back and forth? Do you feel it in the seat? In your feet?

You said you had it aligned, right?

ufdan25 · #8 05-26-2009, 07:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fredjacksonsan

What kind of vibration are you experiencing? Does the steering wheel vibrate, or move back and forth? Do you feel it in the seat? In your feet?

You said you had it aligned, right?

I did have it aligned. The whole front end seems to shake most notably in the steering wheel. So far, it is not happening consistently... thats to say, in the it may happen one minute, and then after stopping and re-accelerating, it won't. And it certainly isn't nearly as bad as the shaking that was occurring before the tire replacement. Mostly around 40-50 mph.

I'm going to do some more driving shorty and see if I can gather more details. Any thoughts are greatly appreciated!

fredjacksonsan · #9 05-26-2009, 07:50 PM

Yeah, the rotors could be not so good...that might or might not cause the vibration. How many miles are on the Jeep?

I'm thinking that maybe the steering stabilizer might be worn, since it's had to absorb so much from the bad tire.

There might also be some worn front end parts....but I tend to go from less to more expensive on repairs.

ufdan25 · #10 05-27-2009, 07:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fredjacksonsan

Yeah, the rotors could be not so good...that might or might not cause the vibration. How many miles are on the Jeep?

I'm thinking that maybe the steering stabilizer might be worn, since it's had to absorb so much from the bad tire.

There might also be some worn front end parts....but I tend to go from less to more expensive on repairs.

after driving it for a while last night, most of the shaking is noticeable at my feet and a little in the steering wheel. Only at 40-55 mph and as I said before, not every time. It has 171,000 miles. The steering stabilizer is fairly inexpensive to repair I think, is it a difficult or time consuming repair? I have only basic tools right now to make the repair...

rtitteri · #11 07-06-2009, 05:36 PM

I encountered a similar problem... lost a weight from when the tires were balanced and experienced the wobble that you described. You may want to try and rotate the tires and see if that helps. Its an easy/free check that you can do with any tool that has a socket that will fit and a jack (which I assume you would have, or be able to borrow). Just a warning though, if you have the original lug nuts be careful not to strip them. If you plan on keeping this Jeep for a while I'd advise replacing the lug nuts... it'll save you many headaches down the road!

As far as the steering stabilizer, I could visibly see that mine was worn out (looked like it had leaked) This was during the winter and I could only really tell when it froze. When it was a little warmer the only issue it gave me was a slight vibration. Its a relatively cheap fix... prob 50-60$ for the part.

mstrader · #12 08-10-2010, 08:17 AM

I am experiencing a very similar wobble in my 96 Jeep. Can feel a severe shake in the steering wheel and in the pedals right about 50-55 mph. Runs fine up to 50 mph, and then shake reduces after 60 mph.

The skake used to be more frequent. I pulled over to check lugs and feel wheels, when I noticed that the right front wheel was too hot to touch. Jacked up car to find that the right front caliper was dragging. So, I replaced both front calipers and pads.

The shake seemed to go away until a long trip. Now it seems the shake only occurs between 50-60 mph.

My plan is to rotate wheels front to back and remove/replace steering stabilizer. Opinions on what to check in order from least expensive up?

Why does it seem to occur only in that specific range of speed?

Thank you in advance!

LittleHoov · #13 08-10-2010, 08:06 PM

Vibration occuring in a certain speed range is often a tire issue, have you had your tires balanced?

Other than that just check out the front end, check the tie-rod ends, ball-joints and track-bar.

mtulett1 · #14 08-10-2010, 09:06 PM

just had the same problem. My track bar bushing gone and theat took care of the death wobble, then there was a mild shimmy at 55-60 mph. took it to get aligned and the alignment was perfect. turned out i needed the tires rebalanced and rotated. Now it runs smooth as glass!

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