Death Wobble, DW, Death Wobble, DW, Death Wobble, Shimmy, Wander, Drift, Bump Steer

[Batlou]

I installed a 2.5" Clayton Overland+ Lift, Fox 2.0 Shocks and JKS Adjustable Track Bar with 37" Tires. It was all torqued to spec and the adjustable arms, track bar, etc were all set to proper spec. It has been fine for almost a year and suddenly being told that it is not fixable without spending 3K on new high steer kit including new knuckles because the factory ones are not good enough (cast iron comes on the diesel). Also told me that the JKS track bar was not any good and has to be replaced. Felt like I was talking to a time share salesman.

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[Free2roam]

I installed a 2.5" Clayton Overland+ Lift, Fox 2.0 Shocks and JKS Adjustable Track Bar with 37" Tires. It was all torqued to spec and the adjustable arms, track bar, etc were all set to proper spec. It has been fine for almost a year and suddenly being told that it is not fixable without spending 3K on new high steer kit including new knuckles because the factory ones are not good enough (cast iron comes on the diesel). Also told me that the JKS track bar was not any good and has to be replaced. Felt like I was talking to a time share salesman.

Interesting. I had mine installed and maybe have 6-8 k on it. Left side only bounces. I'm going to swap the shocks side to side see if that makes a difference. If not. I've got to dive deeper in. Definitely not death
wobble.
Same lift too. Mines a diesel though.

 

[ttn333]

I installed a 2.5" Clayton Overland+ Lift, Fox 2.0 Shocks and JKS Adjustable Track Bar with 37" Tires. It was all torqued to spec and the adjustable arms, track bar, etc were all set to proper spec. It has been fine for almost a year and suddenly being told that it is not fixable without spending 3K on new high steer kit including new knuckles because the factory ones are not good enough (cast iron comes on the diesel). Also told me that the JKS track bar was not any good and has to be replaced. Felt like I was talking to a time share salesman.

I have the 2.5" overland plus kit on 37s. Didn't your kit come with track bars? I've been going through some of this dw and just slight wobble and floatiness. I think death wobble is fixed with retightening the front end, alignment and wheel balancing. The weird wobble and floatiness, I am going to attribute that to worn tires. The whole setup, wheels, tires and suspension have about 42K miles on them. Possibly worn steering components. I'm going to be getting new tires soon. I've started collecting steering components. Falcon 2.2 ss just came in. I'll probably put in the order for the apex aluminum tie rod and drag link after the holidays. Ball joint only if their loose. But I really think my problem is worn tires. So will get the tires first to see how she rides.

 

[Batlou]

Interesting. I had mine installed and maybe have 6-8 k on it. Left side only bounces. I'm going to swap the shocks side to side see if that makes a difference. If not. I've got to dive deeper in. Definitely not death
wobble.
Same lift too. Mines a diesel though

Yes, mine is a diesel as well. I did go with the HD springs when I bought the lift. I have a camper top and roof top tent and when I take it overlanding I add a fridge and a bunch of camping gear so it gets pretty heavy.

I guess my point was that the shop is making it very clear that there is "no fix" other than a high steer kit. Just not buying it and it felt like someone was trying to fleece me. I do think the Fox 2.0 shocks are to plush for the weight of a diesel and all of the gear I carry and that might be part of the issue.

 

[Free2roam]

Yes, mine is a diesel as well. I did go with the HD springs when I bought the lift. I have a camper top and roof top tent and when I take it overlanding I add a fridge and a bunch of camping gear so it gets pretty heavy.

I guess my point was that the shop is making it very clear that there is "no fix" other than a high steer kit. Just not buying it and it felt like someone was trying to fleece me. I do think the Fox 2.0 shocks are to plush for the weight of a diesel and all of the gear I carry and that might be part of the issue.

I also have a camper and a good amount of weight on a daily basis. Pushing 400 lbs all day.

 

[Lunentucker]

So I dropped my truck off to a local shop because after a year of driving and light wheeling I am starting to get a bit of float feel in the front end and got death wobble on the highway the other day. They called me back today and said that you cannot fix death wobble unless you go to a high steer kit and it's just part of owning a jeep with a lift. I disagree as my truck has been running tight up until the last 2 months or so.

The said the alignment was a little off and they resolved that. I asked if they would check all of the torque settings on the suspension but they keep insisting that doesn't matter. There is no fix unless I drop 3K on a high steer kit. I don't believe this for a second and just said I will come and pickup my jeep.

Has anyone else had a shop try to convince you that a jeep with a 2.5" lift and 37's is going to feel loose in the front and will likely have death wobble and there is no way to fix it. Super frustrated right now.

Don't go back there for anything ever.

 

[Batlou]

So I picked up my truck from there and dropped by another dealer. They did a "suspension check" which basically just walking through each bolt and checking for play and verifying torque settings on each bolt. Then adjusted the caster on the steering from 4.5 to 6.5 (ended up at 6.6 and 6.7) degrees. Clayton recommends 5-6 but with the HD springs I am getting a little more lift than typical so 6.5-7 seemed to be the sweet spot. Death wobble is gone and steering feels tight with no bump steer.

 

[Free2roam]

So what do we call this? The steering wheel doesn't shake back and forth. I've switched the shocks side to side. No difference. Lugs are tight. Everything seems tight. Had it up in the air pulled on tire up down side to side no discernable play. Wheel is balanced. It feels like it's not totally connected to the ground going around corners. Like it's almost floating. Only the drivers side acts this way. @Lunentucker @ShadowsPapa finally got a short video of it. Thanks in advance

 

[Lunentucker]

So what do we call this? The steering wheel doesn't shake back and forth. I've switched the shocks side to side. No difference. Lugs are tight. Everything seems tight. Had it up in the air pulled on tire up down side to side no discernable play. Wheel is balanced. It feels like it's not totally connected to the ground going around corners. Like it's almost floating. Only the drivers side acts this way. @Lunentucker @ShadowsPapa finally got a short video of it. Thanks in advance

I see you've had some issues before.
https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/...lf-or-take-it-to-the-dealer.51585/post-844781

There are no shortcuts. You have to check everything from the steering gearbox to the tires.
Gearbox, Pitman Arm, Sector Shaft, Drag Link, Trackbar, Tie Rod and Ends, Ball Joints, Wheel Bearings, Brake Calipers, Control Arms, Tires.

Have you swapped tires and wheels front and back?

What are your modifications? Your wheels seem to have more poke than standard factory offsets.
What else has changed from factory?
Did this suddenly appear or was it gradual?
Have you verified your toe settings?
Is there a lift kit installed?

 

[Free2roam]

I see you've had some issues before.
https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/...lf-or-take-it-to-the-dealer.51585/post-844781

There are no shortcuts. You have to check everything from the steering gearbox to the tires.
Gearbox, Pitman Arm, Sector Shaft, Drag Link, Trackbar, Tie Rod and Ends, Ball Joints, Wheel Bearings, Brake Calipers, Control Arms, Tires.

Have you swapped tires and wheels front and back?

What are your modifications? Your wheels seem to have more poke than standard factory offsets.
What else has changed from factory?
Did this suddenly appear or was it gradual?
Have you verified your toe settings?
Is there a lift kit installed?

The issue previously was the sway bar ling that had come loose. That was fixed and never came back. Previous to lift
Now list of mods
Clayton Overland 2.5 lift
Apex sway bar disconnect
Icon Rebound Pro -6
Rubi take off tires
It ran butter smooth when I got the lift done. I was super impressed.
That was in September last year.
The bouncing only happens on the drivers side. Passenger side is planted.
Buying a torque wrench today. Gonna dive deep.
Also probably going to loosen most up jump up and down on bumper see if there isn't anything bound up. Then retorque.
Also alignment was done by a reputable shop here in town. They also couldn't find anything that was an issue. They had a couple of techs take it for a test drive.
Then I took the owner down to where it happens and wabam it happened. Took it back and couldn't find anything loose.

 

[Lunentucker]

The issue previously was the sway bar ling that had come loose. That was fixed and never came back. Previous to lift
Now list of mods
Clayton Overland 2.5 lift
Apex sway bar disconnect
Icon Rebound Pro -6
Rubi take off tires
It ran butter smooth when I got the lift done. I was super impressed.
That was in September last year.
The bouncing only happens on the drivers side. Passenger side is planted.
Buying a torque wrench today. Gonna dive deep.
Also probably going to loosen most up jump up and down on bumper see if there isn't anything bound up. Then retorque.
Also alignment was done by a reputable shop here in town. They also couldn't find anything that was an issue. They had a couple of techs take it for a test drive.
Then I took the owner down to where it happens and wabam it happened. Took it back and couldn't find anything loose.

It definitely looked more like bounce than wobble in the video clip.
Lost wheel weight, ball joint, bearing...
Good move. Go over everything.
Remember, torque control arms with wheels on the ground.
I'd pull the stabilizer off and check if for stiffness and or dead spot as well.
Let us know what you find.

 

[Free2roam]

It definitely looked more like bounce than wobble in the video clip.
Lost wheel weight, ball joint, bearing...
Good move. Go over everything.
Remember, torque control arms with wheels on the ground.
I'd pull the stabilizer off and check if for stiffness and or dead spot as well.
Let us know what you find.

Yeah steering wheel is not jerking back and forth.

 

[Free2roam]

So today I took out the track bar to look at the bracket make sure it wasn't wallowed out. May have been a tiny bit of wear. Reinstalled and torqued to spec. Talked to the shop that installed the lift. He suggested looking at ball joints on spindles and steering components.
Recommended Currie for the steering set up and Dynatrac for the spindle ball joints. As they are rebuildable. Thoughts?

 

[BlueJT]

Thanks for all of the great info in this thread. I have a 2021 sport with 33k miles and the death wobble just started this week. I got it into my dealer and he said warranty would cover the addition of a stabilizer (which they have to order). I don’t have my truck right now as it’s still at the dealer so I can’t check underneath, but is that in fact an addition for the 2021 JT? Will “adding” one solve the issue? No steering/wheel/suspension related mods.

 

[Lunentucker]

Thanks for all of the great info in this thread. I have a 2021 sport with 33k miles and the death wobble just started this week. I got it into my dealer and he said warranty would cover the addition of a stabilizer (which they have to order). I don’t have my truck right now as it’s still at the dealer so I can’t check underneath, but is that in fact an addition for the 2021 JT? Will “adding” one solve the issue? No steering/wheel/suspension related mods.

A stabilizer is a stock item. They're replacing the one that your core problem killed with another just like it, because it's a cheap temporary "fix" that gets you out of their hair and back on the road thinking everything's fine again.
It isn't.
Whatever issue that worked the original stabilizer to death until it failed will immediately begin working on the new one.

Watch the video in the original post. Everything's covered.

You can ask the dealer to go over everything with a torque wrench, but time is money, and I'm betting that they won't, or worse yet, they'll lie and tell you they did.

Do it yourself if you have the capabilities and tools.
If not, get it to a reputable 4xr4 shop and pay them to do it.

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