Steering Wobble Mystery

[jetdriver73]

Another thing that occurred to me while I was checking things under the truck, was the sheer number of welds that we count on when we torque things down. If any one of those welds broke, you’d have slop in the system no matter how well you torqued things. I don’t have a lift, so on the garage floor on a creeper with a light and dirty undercarriage, it could be pretty easy to miss a compromised weld.

Good thought. I’ll add that to the list of things to look for also.

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[jetdriver73]

Well I had my alignment today and it went great. Caster was off (6.6), brought it down to 5.5, which is what Clayton specifies. Toe was way off so brought it to proper specs for my setup. Tires were a few oz off on every one, especially the fronts. After we did all that, we were sure it was going to be perfect. Did a test drive and it still had a wobble. Felt a little defeated but he wasn’t going to give up. Put it back on the lift and checked everything again. Found fluid leaking from the left front shock. It has failed! Shocks are Fox 2.0. I’ve had them on for a little over a year and never take my Jeep off road. Don’t know why it would fail, but the warranty has now expired. Do I even want to replace it with another Fox product? Anyone know of a better brand to go with?

 

[Free2roam]

Well I had my alignment today and it went great. Caster was off (6.6), brought it down to 5.5, which is what Clayton specifies. Toe was way off so brought it to proper specs for my setup. Tires were a few oz off on every one, especially the fronts. After we did all that, we were sure it was going to be perfect. Did a test drive and it still had a wobble. Felt a little defeated but he wasn’t going to give up. Put it back on the lift and checked everything again. Found fluid leaking from the left front shock. It has failed! Shocks are Fox 2.0. I’ve had them on for a little over a year and never take my Jeep off road. Don’t know why it would fail, but the warranty has now expired. Do I even want to replace it with another Fox product? Anyone know of a better brand to go with?

All depends on how much money you want to spend. I've heard good things about the Bilstein shocks. Never off road?

 

[jetdriver73]

All depends on how much money you want to spend. I've heard good things about the Bilstein shocks. Never off road?

Well, I did once and didn’t work out. My kids were terrified so had to turn back, lol. Maybe someday. Anyone have opinions about Fox shocks vs Falcon?

 

[40x40]

Well, I did once and didn’t work out. My kids were terrified so had to turn back, lol. Maybe someday. Anyone have opinions about Fox shocks vs Falcon?

just an idea or two before spending $. what speed does the wobble occur? driving straight or in a curve? do both tires need to hit something like railroad tracks or a single tire in a pot hole? which side? have you had someone start it, leave it in park, set the parking brake, chock both rear tires and have them slowly turn the wheel full right then full left on a dry surface while you tightly hold each moving joint? there are only a dozen or so locations so it would take a couple of minutes to locate a sloppy or binding connection. and yes, use your phone as it negates the "what did you say" while on the floor! and watch out for pinch points!

 

[Jchap1987]

I think you’re gonna be very disappointed when you replace that shock and you still have a wobble.

 

[jetdriver73]

I think you’re gonna be very disappointed when you replace that shock and you still have a wobble.

Maybe, but the shock needs to be replaced regardless. I’m also going to purchase the Fox ATS steering stabilizer, since I’ve heard so many good things about it. That was also his suggestion. This guy who worked on my Jeep today was a walking textbook of information, and has over 30 years of experience in the field. He’s also a Jeep guy and has built custom “mudders” that he used to race. He said the stock ball joints were strong and did not need to be replaced or upgraded at this time. He stuck a pry bar in every possible location in the front end and absolutely everything was super tight.

 

[KQL]

Not sure if you’ve come across this video, seems to be exactly what we’re experiencing. I’m with you, if you have signs of a bad shock, def have to replace that. But if that doesn’t solve it, these track bars don’t seem that expensive.

 

[jetdriver73]

Not sure if you’ve come across this video, seems to be exactly what we’re experiencing. I’m with you, if you have signs of a bad shock, def have to replace that. But if that doesn’t solve it, these track bars don’t seem that expensive.

I have the Clayton 2.5 Overland + kit which came with a high quality, adjustable track bar. Checked bushings yesterday and they’re perfect with no play in the linkage whatsoever. Thanks for the suggestion though!

 

[40x40]

I have the Clayton 2.5 Overland + kit which came with a high quality, adjustable track bar. Checked bushings yesterday and they’re perfect with no play in the linkage whatsoever. Thanks for the suggestion though!

search for the thread on this site "2022 gladiator death wobble". perhaps it will be of use.

 

[kennyglm]

Yes see original post. Clayton 2.5” Overland +, and now Falken Wildpeak 38x13.5’s. Fox 2.0 front and rear. That’s all so far. I’m open to upgrading components to compensate for changes. Just don’t want to throw parts at it without knowing what’s wrong.

i chased a bad steering wheel shimmy in my gladiator for a while and it turned out i needed a stronger steering stabilizer. i bought the fox adjustable through shaft one, night and day difference. those big tires really throw everything for a loop.

 

[jetdriver73]

i chased a bad steering wheel shimmy in my gladiator for a while and it turned out i needed a stronger steering stabilizer. i bought the fox adjustable through shaft one, night and day difference. those big tires really throw everything for a loop.

I just ordered the Fox ATS stabilizer and I’m fairly certain that will solve my issue as well. I also have a theory. This wobble issue only returned when the weather got colder. Seems like the colder it is, the worse the wobble. What material in the steering system would be affected by temperature? The fluid in the steering stabilizer. I would think that cold fluid is thicker and is less likely to perform as intended. This would explain why I had no wobble this summer/fall. Anyway, really hoping this new stabilizer (and shock replacement) will be the end of the saga.

 

[kennyglm]

I just ordered the Fox ATS stabilizer and I’m fairly certain that will solve my issue as well. I also have a theory. This wobble issue only returned when the weather got colder. Seems like the colder it is, the worse the wobble. What material in the steering system would be affected by temperature? The fluid in the steering stabilizer. I would think that cold fluid is thicker and is less likely to perform as intended. This would explain why I had no wobble this summer/fall. Anyway, really hoping this new stabilizer (and shock replacement) will be the end of the saga.

i had the same exact problem . Around 40 degrees it got worse and in summer it was fine, go figure i guess. Hope this solves your problem.

 

[Wheelin98TJ]

Did you ever do a dry steering test?

 

[jetdriver73]

Did you ever do a dry steering test?

Sure did, that was the first thing we did. He also put a pry bar under every possible connection and everything was super tight. Ball joints, linkage, bushings, everything.

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