2021 Rubicon JT with 2" mopar lift and 35" tires, ~36,000 miles - death wobble

[Peterabbits]

Hello, recently been experiencing the "death wobble" at speeds of around 40-55 mph, anything over or under that and it starts to wobble, but then stops on its own. always feels like it's the drivers side tire. aside from the 2" lift and the 35" tires, the vehicle is stock, and the lift and tires were installed at the dealership at time of purchase. i had the truck in the dealership on Thursday, and they indicated that there was a lot of play in the "tie rod end at pitman arm" and that they replaced the pitman arm tie rod end and that supposedly solved the problem. yesterday it happened to me again though. i will admit that it felt a little less "out of control" if that makes sense, but it still happened. i called the dealership and they told me to bring it back in Tuesday, so it's being addressed, and the dealership has so far been fantastic to work with.

i figured while i'm waiting to get back in to the dealership I'd ask the experts on this forum to see if they had any advise? i've included a couple of pictures, because i'm actually trying to figure out what the dealership actually did. from what i can figure out i think while they were stating tie rod they were actually talking about the drag link maybe? because i didn't think the tie rod connected to the pitman arm at all, and the only thing that looks new to me is the boot / gasket / bumper inbetween the drag link and the pitman arm? it also looks like there might be some wear on the drag link itself, not sure if this is normal or not. my assumption is that whatever is causing the wobble ultimately caused the play in the "tie rod (drag link?) and that they fixed a symptom but not the cause.

any info that might help would be appreciated, thank you in advance!

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[XraytecH]

Hello, recently been experiencing the "death wobble" at speeds of around 40-55 mph, anything over or under that and it starts to wobble, but then stops on its own. always feels like it's the drivers side tire. aside from the 2" lift and the 35" tires, the vehicle is stock, and the lift and tires were installed at the dealership at time of purchase. i had the truck in the dealership on Thursday, and they indicated that there was a lot of play in the "tie rod end at pitman arm" and that they replaced the pitman arm tie rod end and that supposedly solved the problem. yesterday it happened to me again though. i will admit that it felt a little less "out of control" if that makes sense, but it still happened. i called the dealership and they told me to bring it back in Tuesday, so it's being addressed, and the dealership has so far been fantastic to work with.

i figured while i'm waiting to get back in to the dealership I'd ask the experts on this forum to see if they had any advise? i've included a couple of pictures, because i'm actually trying to figure out what the dealership actually did. from what i can figure out i think while they were stating tie rod they were actually talking about the drag link maybe? because i didn't think the tie rod connected to the pitman arm at all, and the only thing that looks new to me is the boot / gasket / bumper inbetween the drag link and the pitman arm? it also looks like there might be some wear on the drag link itself, not sure if this is normal or not. my assumption is that whatever is causing the wobble ultimately caused the play in the "tie rod (drag link?) and that they fixed a symptom but not the cause.

any info that might help would be appreciated, thank you in advance!

Right off the bat, service called it a tie rod. That is clearly a drag link.

Might have to replace the whole "Drag Link" and maybe the tie rod. Also check the toe on the alignment.

 

[Glad Jeeper]

Has the steering box already been replaced? If not, it needs replaced. When I first started hearing about this issue, I took it into the dealer to have them inspect. They replaced the aluminum box with updated box. No issues.

 

[Uparms]

Has the steering box already been replaced? If not, it needs replaced. When I first started hearing about this issue, I took it into the dealer to have them inspect. They replaced the aluminum box with updated box. No issues.

My question too. Cast iron ( black) steering gear. So glad the 23 I just got has it. May not solve your problem but does need to be done. Should be Warranty work.

 

[Peterabbits]

No, nothing has been done besides standard maintenance. I'll ask the dealership to look at the steering box on Tuesday.
Thanks!

 

[gladtohave]

Following

 

[Peterabbits]

Update, took it back to the dealership yesterday. Below is their diagnosis. Parts are on order, apparently there's a strike going on right now? They couldn't tell me when they would be in. They also had no loaners, and could only offer $50 per day credit for a rental car.

 

[Peterabbits]

Steering box replaced, other end of tie rod replaced, still having issues. Now they are saying I need a new steering dampener. I'm just glad they are still helping me.

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