Experienced the Death Wobble this morning!

[thinmints]

Originally Posted by Dansjeep89

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!!!

[Dansjeep89]

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

[JDPascal]

Originally Posted by Dansjeep89

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

[Dansjeep89]

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

[Dansjeep89]

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

[wilwith1l]

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.

[Dansjeep89]

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