Death Wobble & front suspension inspection explained! [Video]

[Mflowers11]

I have looked for a good educational video on the steering suspension system and think I found a gem.

The video is older and uses a JK suspension, but the suspension has the same parts, different engineering. He walks through the various parts, explains what each does functionally and then goes through a basic inspection explaining how each bad part could contribute to shimmy or wobble. If your a novice and considering working on your suspension, I’d highly recommend using this as a good starting point and edu reference!



Credit and thanks to Planman 4x4 on YouTube for taking the time to go through this!! Cheers.

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[Lunentucker]

Good video. I'll add it to my thread.

Death Wobble, DW, Death Wobble, DW, Death Wobble, Shimmy, Wander, Drift, Bump Steer | Jeep Gladiator Forum - JeepGladiatorForum.com

 

[sharpsicle]

I think this is a nice video as well. Never hurts to have more than one resource available....

 

[Mflowers11]

Death Wobble, DW, Death Wobble, DW, Death Wobble, Shimmy, Wander, Drift, Bump Steer | Jeep Gladiator Forum - JeepGladiatorForum.com

VERY much appreciated and have used your thread @Lunentucker in researching my issue. I like this video because of its simplicity and point by point connections staring basically at the steering wheel.

The only issue I have with the video on your thread was that the toe out recommendation can mask the source of the actual wobble itself and give a false sense of “problem solved.” Could be wrong but that is what my research has led me to thus far. I did that, got 10k miles and it resurfaced.

Had a spacer leveling Kit when got the Jeep with 4k miles (50k now) last July and just installed the Clayton leveling kit with adjustable upper control arms to get the castor in line and have a Synergy Drag link being delivered on Friday. The drag link could have been the source issue, passenger side bushing has play or a victim of it... Either way, hoping this does it. ?

Planning to upgrade the entire suspension in a year when I retire her as my work vehicle (HWY Cruiser) and make her my toy! Nothing to compare it to but the control arms and springs received were beefy. Called @Clayton Off Road with a couple questions and they were very helpful too.

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[Lunentucker]

The only issue I have with the video on your thread was that the toe out recommendation can mask the source of the actual wobble itself and give a false sense of “problem solved.” Could be wrong but that is what my research has led me to thus far. I did that, got 10k miles and it resurfaced.

Agreed on the toe out to some degree.
The same is true for the steering stabilizer. Very frustrating to see dealers throw another stabilizer on and claim to have fixed the problem.

 

[tysongladiator]

I've seen this video before and it's a good, informative video. I also stress the importance of checking suspension and steering components from time to time on my YT channel.

The problem is that no one wants to diagnose the issues. They want the quick answer. They don't want to check the track bar bolt, pitman arm nut, control arm bolts. They want the not have to get under the jeep, quick answer. Like steering stabilizer.

 

[Free2roam]

What I followed.

 

[Mflowers11]

What I followed.

@Lunentucker has a great thread going with the first link in the reply to my post, this is the lead video on it and I agree, it’s good.

The only issue I have with the video is that the toe out recommendation covers up the actual source of the wobble itself. Gives a false sense of “problem solved” like an upgraded stabilizer will do. I did that, got 10k miles and it resurfaced. My Drag link bushing is bad and has quite a bit of movement in it. Ordered a new drag link that’s getting delivered tomorrow but in the mean time, I increased the toe out again and wala, the wobble is gone. BUT, if I do that much longer my ability to steer will be gone too!

Good resource, but not a great recommendation for the alignment purely based on my own experience doing it.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

@Lunentucker has a great thread going with the first link in the reply to my post, this is the lead video on it and I agree, it’s good.

The only issue I have with the video is that the toe out recommendation covers up the actual source of the wobble itself. Gives a false sense of “problem solved” like an upgraded stabilizer will do. I did that, got 10k miles and it resurfaced. My Drag link bushing is bad and has quite a bit of movement in it. Ordered a new drag link that’s getting delivered tomorrow but in the mean time, I increased the toe out again and wala, the wobble is gone. BUT, if I do that much longer my ability to steer will be gone too!

Good resource, but not a great recommendation for the alignment purely based on my own experience doing it.

There's too much involved to say "this setting" or "this change" will fix it for any given Jeep.
There's also too much going on with Jeeps with mods to say that a spec will work for all, especially toe.

And that's why videos like this - where they scream they are revealing SECRETS! And know how to fix it. They learned stuff on theirs, nothing they mention is a secret or anything not already known, discussed and dealt with over 70 years of the issue. But- hey, it's Youtube.

What I followed.

 

[Mflowers11]

And that's why videos like this - where they scream they are revealing SECRETS! And know how to fix it. They learned stuff on theirs

Totally agree. Been a Jeep owner of a 2017 JK with a 4.5” lift for two years and got my 2021 Glad last July. Feel like there’s a Jeep expert around every corner and they all have a different opinion. Nothing is learned through success, so I’ll keep failing and eventually become an expert too!

Overall, this has been a great forum with a few guys, yourself included, that have been extremely helpful. ?

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