Steering Wobble Mystery

[MPMB]

Slight cupping, shocks were pushed by hand equal amounts of pressure applied within reason. Seemed really close to the same. Also had it realigned by a reputable place here in town.

Just so you know, this doesn't mean much. If you compressed the shock and it was really light or made a lot of noise, then that would be a problem. Or if the shock never extended under rebound. But pushing them down isn't really a viable diagnostic.

Shocks are designed to hold X amount of pounds oscillating 3-5 inches per second, and the fluid gets hot, which changes the pounds/inch/second rating. Simple man-power can tell little about a shock's capability. There are man-powered shock dyno plans out there, but it requires something like a 12' lever to operate.

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[Free2roam]

So I've got the Fox shocks. Smooth body non reservoir. I think they are 2.0 and on a Clayton Overland lift 2.5 I should be in theory able to switch passenger side to driver's side and see if the problem moves with the shock. If it does I know it's the shock. Thoughts?

 

[KQL]

Bumping up this thread, anyone have luck fixing this wheel wobble/bounce with new shocks?

 

[jetdriver73]

My steering wobble issues continue. Realized that my caster was off, because after I did the 2.5” lift the alignment shop set the caster to factory setting. Should be 5.5 degrees according to Clayton. So had another alignment done, believing that I had figured out the issue. It did not fix it. I’ve been living with it, and noticed that if it’s colder outside, the wobble is more pronounced. It’s been very frustrating and it may actually lead to me getting rid of the truck.

 

[Wheelin98TJ]

I’d look hard at your tires.

How many miles are on them? How are they wearing? When was the last time they were balanced?

 

[jetdriver73]

I upgraded my tires to 38’s, also wanting to eliminate tires as a culprit. Did not make a difference. Also re-tightened track bar and all suspension components. Track bar is new so the bushing is good. Also have been in touch with Clayton and have tried everything they’ve suggested.

 

[DylanM]

...
I’ve been living with it, and noticed that if it’s colder outside, the wobble is more pronounced.

IMO, the only thing that would make any sense as to why the wobble is more pronounced when it's colder is it's caused by the tires. The colder the tires are, the stiffer the rubber compound gets, and thus the more pronounced any deviation in runout or flexibility will be. Tread and carcass design will have just as much influence as wear or imbalance problems in this case.

 

[Wheelin98TJ]

I upgraded my tires to 38’s, also wanting to eliminate tires as a culprit. Did not make a difference. Also re-tightened track bar and all suspension components. Track bar is new so the bushing is good. Also have been in touch with Clayton and have tried everything they’ve suggested.

Did you work the steering while watching underneath for any slop?

 

[jetdriver73]

I have not tried that, but good suggestion. All components seem tight when I tug on everything. Thanks.

 

[Gizmo]

Dry steering check is always my first and easiest check, no tools needed . Usually the first culprit has been Track bar or Draglink on most all of my past jeeps . Good bushings on the track bar is essential and I don't call OE type Clevite bushing good when new . TB and DL were replaced first on this Jeep before any issue was noticed . .

 

[Free2roam]

I ended up going with Fusion 4x4 steering upgrade with Fox ATS. Immediate difference. Then alignment once I had parts on. I don't remember how long it's been on but even after 4 days in Death Valley and a few hundred miles of wash board. I hit the pavement and it's was still rock solid.

 

[jetdriver73]

Well today was a bad day. Was a little colder, and I experienced the worst day of death wobble so far. Drove to a different alignment shop and they’re hooking me up with an old-timer who’s been doing alignments for 25 years. They seem to think he’ll be able to figure it out. The appointment is on Wednesday, so I’ll let you know what we figure out. Based on the great feedback earlier on this thread and from speaking with Clayton, here are the notes I made on what we’re going to focus on:


Dry steering check

Re-balance tires

Check caster (5.5 deg

Check toe (more toe out due to increased scrub radius?)

Check ball joint torque

I posted a video of what I’ve experienced with just about every bump I hit today. Notice how the wobble stops around 30mph. That’s been accurate with every occurrence today. Thanks for all your input.

 

[Free2roam]

IMO that isn't death wobble. It's so uncontrollable that you literally have to pull over and slow down to about 35 mph. That's more of a shimmy or a shake.

 

[Free2roam]

Check out this post and thread.

https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/...-wobble-shimmy-wander-drift-bump-steer.68302/

 

[jetdriver73]

That just happened to be at a slower speed, since I didn’t do any highway driving today. Last month at 73mph, I hit a bump and experienced a violent wobble in the steering. Had to pull over and it continued down to 25mph. Drove the rest of the way home at 65mph and it never happened again. Drove the jeep all this week and didn’t happen at all. Today, the steering god is unhappy and full of wrath. I don’t know why today and not yesterday, or the day before. It’s a mystery and I can’t pin it down. And it’s making me crazy.

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