DEATH WOBBLE 98 cherokee

[Yow_wee]

When I first drove this jeep you couldnt go over 45mph without the front wheel or wheels wobbling like they were hanging on by a thread.
I went ahead and bought the Jeep ( I repoed it and then got a great deal on it) and had two used tires put on the front right away. That helped out enough to where I can drive it. But now it starts to do it lightly about 55mph and I wont go above that because it is scary when it goes all out and wobbles like crazy. But if I am doing 50-55 and I start to brake I have to slow down real slow or else it will wobble bad and wont stop til the Jeep is stopped. But I can stop fast from any speed below 50.

I been under the jeep a few times already putting on a small lift kit and shocks. I didnt see much wear on the tie rod ends or notice much on the ball joints. I plan on replacing these parts though 1 by 1 till I find the problem. It will be nice to have a complete new front end.

SO actually I am just asking how many people experienced "death wobble" and what did you have to do to fix it.

[thinmints]

Its all to well known for cherokee owners, you might try the front stablizer shock, and a good set of tires helps as well, front end alignment balance tires etc should do the trick hope that helps

[gtmud]

Death wobble: How much of a lift did you put on. I put a 2" Ribicon lift on and learned the hard way that you need to get the front-end re-aligned. that will probably fix alot of your problem. Another point to look at id the track bar going from the DS frame to the axle. Tighten All the bolts and grease up the joint. I had the same issue and this fixed it. The stailizer is another minor contributor to the " death wobble"!

[Saudade]

As the others have suggested, make sure you balance your tires, check the alignment and check all of the front end joints. My '88 developed a slight shimmy and changing the steering dampener fixed mine.

[Hockeyfan960]

I have and 88 Cherokee with 170k on it....and the smae wobble started to happen to me after alot of highway driving, after new tires and front end alignment, the "guys" at Pep-Boys told me that the front bearing were shot and wanted $500 to replace them...not sure if that is a true statement...what do u all think...??? I ended up just shelving the Jeep for the rest of the summer, but as winter creeps back up on us, I am thinking again about getting it into working condition to utilize the 4x4 in the snow...???

[glennco1]

I had 115 on my '98 when I sold it, and I never experienced the wobble. Bump steer on the other hand, I had something terrible when my steering stabilizer wore out.

Have you had the alignment checked? How much play is there in the steering?

[gtmud]

Hockeyfan,

Watch out for the Pep-boys. I wouldn't trust them to balance a tire! I would take it to another shop and have them align it. As far as your bearings. DO IT YOURSELF! They are fairly easy. You will need an impact and a torque wrench. JUst remove the tire.

[Saudade]

I changed both sets of front bearings on my '88(2wd). A bit messy but not too difficult.

[Hockeyfan960]

I read in CHilton's that the 4w Drive hubs are sealed and pressed....I have a friend with a garage who could help me with the pressing, but how long will it take to do...?? Is it something that I can pull apart in an afternoon run over to his shop and then have back on for supper...???

Where do I find the steering stabilizer...??? How can I tell if it is shot...?? Would that account for the wobble that is happening even at 10 mph...??

[Hockeyfan960]

It says that if the hub is equipped with ball bearings, the entire unit must be replaced.....How do I know if there is ball bearings vs roller bearings without getting neck deep in this project...???

[gtmud]

Depends were you live, but here in the south, my XJ hasn't seen much snow and salt, so things came apart fairly easy. (Took more effort to get the axle nut off than anything else) The hubs are a sealed unit, no greasy mess, just a litle crud and brake dust to worry about. The only reason i can think that you might need a press. After you unbolt the 3, 13mm bolts, and of course the axle nut, it should come out, except for a little rust build-up.
You can do this in an afternoon. Here;s what you do: With the Jeep cap off the tire, and it (tire) on the ground take off the axle nut (impact gun), jack up again, remove caliper, rotor. Then remove the 3 13mm bolts fromt he backside of the spindle bracket, bearing should then come out. Install in reverse. Hope this helps. Good luck.
Oh, once you get the hub assembly, no need to worry about the internal bearings.

[Cam7]

Steering Stablizer is a common problem with 4 wheel drive Vechiles. Un bolt stablizer and test the action if its weak replace it.

[leowolf]

just fixed mine, lower and upper control arm bushings