Advice from local Jeep shop on a repair

[ShelbyDee]

Not sure if I'm in the right forum, but wanted to get some general advice on what my local Jeep shop is doing for repairs. I have a bone stock 21 Gladiator Overland. I have only 17k miles on it, and got the death wobble on the highway last week. It only happened once, but because I've seen it as such a common problem, I brought it in.
I'm out of warranty, and there aren't any recalls or TSB's on my particular year for steering issues.

The shop in my area is very reputable and well reviewed. They only work on Jeeps. I brought it in, and he said that the drag link is bad, and he's replacing the steering dampener. He said the tie rod and track bar still "look great". He quoted me 974$ for everything.

I do not work on cars, so I don't really have an idea on what to expect. Does this seem normal? Do I need to push for anything else when it comes to the death wobble in these things?

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[Gvsukids]

ve seen it as such a common problem

It's not.

he's replacing the steering dampener.

Bandaid.

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

 

[ShelbyDee]

It's not.

Bandaid.

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

Okay but the drag link being bad is not a band aid. From what I've seen in the Jeep groups I'm in, the "wobble" happens often. I read about it enough to know what was happening when it was happening.

 

[ChrisNLA]

Okay but the drag link being bad is not a band aid. From what I've seen in the Jeep groups I'm in, the "wobble" happens often. I read about it enough to know what was happening when it was happening.

My 2016 JK had death wobble at 50K miles. Ball joints resolved it.

My 2022 JT has gotten mild death wobble twice in recent months at 34,000 miles. I have begun digging into it, but I haven't found a smoking gun so far.

There is a ton that goes into it. A drag link with a bad end can cause it. A good steering damper can potentially cover up a problem, but a bad damper is not the cause for death wobble.

 

[DiehardTory]

Well,,, not knowing the labor rates for your shop, and what brand of drag link and dampener that could be a fair price. BTW having 4 Jeeps, only had DW on the 13 with 90k miles - worn ball joint was the culprit. Did replace the steering dampener when installing AEV 2.5" lift. Not questioning the shop diagnosis just offering info on the only time I experienced DW.

 

[ChrisNLA]

Well,,, not knowing the labor rates for your shop, and what brand of drag link and dampener that could be a fair price. BTW having 4 Jeeps, only had DW on the 13 with 90k miles - worn ball joint was the culprit. Did replace the steering dampener when installing AEV 2.5" lift. Not questioning the shop diagnosis just offering info on the only time I experienced DW.

$150/hr for two hours, some parts store parts, before tax, before alignment you're already at $670 based on some quick math. It's probably not far off.

 

[ShelbyDee]

My 2016 JK had death wobble at 50K miles. Ball joints resolved it.

My 2022 JT has gotten mild death wobble twice in recent months at 34,000 miles. I have begun digging into it, but I haven't found a smoking gun so far.

There is a ton that goes into it. A drag link with a bad end can cause it. A good steering damper can potentially cover up a problem, but a bad damper is not the cause for death wobble.

Yeah he even said the dampener he would just replace as a courtesy because the stock ones get "leaky". But that the issue was in fact the drag link. I specifically asked about the track bar, and he said "yeah your tie rod and track bar are in great shape."

 

[ShelbyDee]

Well,,, not knowing the labor rates for your shop, and what brand of drag link and dampener that could be a fair price. BTW having 4 Jeeps, only had DW on the 13 with 90k miles - worn ball joint was the culprit. Did replace the steering dampener when installing AEV 2.5" lift. Not questioning the shop diagnosis just offering info on the only time I experienced DW.

I also asked bout the ball joints, and he said they were fine. It's a reputable shop...so I'm trying to trust his word. lol

 

[ChrisNLA]

Yeah he even said the dampener he would just replace as a courtesy because the stock ones get "leaky". But that the issue was in fact the drag link. I specifically asked about the track bar, and he said "yeah your tie rod and track bar are in great shape."

If it's showing some sort of sign of being a problem (the damper), makes sense to change it. If not, well it's just a wild goose chase.

I removed mine from my truck (again, 35K miles) and it had great firm resistance in both directions, no dead spots, and no leaks, so I put it back on.

In contrast, all four shocks on my truck were leaking fluid by 25K miles and had to be replaced - so shocks / dampers provided by Jeep are hardly quality.

 

[Cburd61]

It could very well be the drag link. As far as the damper goes, mine (Jeep/Fox) went south at about 20,000 miles. I replaced it with a bilstein, gas shock. I like it a lot better.

 

[Sandman 4x4]

Not sure if I'm in the right forum, but wanted to get some general advice on what my local Jeep shop is doing for repairs. I have a bone stock 21 Gladiator Overland. I have only 17k miles on it, and got the death wobble on the highway last week. It only happened once, but because I've seen it as such a common problem, I brought it in.
I'm out of warranty, and there aren't any recalls or TSB's on my particular year for steering issues.

The shop in my area is very reputable and well reviewed. They only work on Jeeps. I brought it in, and he said that the drag link is bad, and he's replacing the steering dampener. He said the tie rod and track bar still "look great". He quoted me 974$ for everything.

I do not work on cars, so I don't really have an idea on what to expect. Does this seem normal? Do I need to push for anything else when it comes to the death wobble in these things?

I had experienced a death wobble at 14,500 miles in my 2024 Sport S all stock. My dealer, Thunder JCDR had me bring it right in. They replaced a leaky steering damper, plus reset the caster, that was at red-.06 on the alignment rack, to green +.1 degree. Now my truck tracks straight an true with the steering wheel flat, that recenters after every turn with ease. Cross winds don’t effect like before and no wobble at all over the same RR tracks as before! At higher speeds. I have worked out a deal with my service manager, that when the time comes if it’s still under warranty, they will replace all the shocks for me if I supply stock length Bilstein 5100’s at no cost for labor! If even just ONE stock shock should develop a leak. I have been going to them since the first oil change I had performed at 3,500 miles, then at 7,500, that were the first two free from Jeep Cares. Then I’ve paid them for the third at 12,000 and now I’m due for the 4 th at 16,500. That I prepaid for. I can’t say enough good about these guys.

 

[KevinC]

If your drag link is faulty at 17K miles and stock, I would also look into why that happened.

Manufacturer defect?

 

[Tim]

I had experienced a death wobble at 14,500 miles in my 2024 Sport S all stock. My dealer, Thunder JCDR had me bring it right in. They replaced a leaky steering damper, plus reset the caster, that was at red-.06 on the alignment rack, to green +.1 degree. Now my truck tracks straight an true with the steering wheel flat, that recenters after every turn with ease. Cross winds don’t effect like before and no wobble at all over the same RR tracks as before! At higher speeds. I have worked out a deal with my service manager, that when the time comes if it’s still under warranty, they will replace all the shocks for me if I supply stock length Bilstein 5100’s at no cost for labor! If even just ONE stock shock should develop a leak. I have been going to them since the first oil change I had performed at 3,500 miles, then at 7,500, that were the first two free from Jeep Cares. Then I’ve paid them for the third at 12,000 and now I’m due for the 4 th at 16,500. That I prepaid for. I can’t say enough good about these guys.

How exactly did they "reset" your caster if you have a bone stock Sport S?

 

[Sandman 4x4]

How exactly did they "reset" your caster if you have a bone stock Sport S?

Ok this is what they gave me to understand how they did it. Exactly what I thought after looking before and after.

That worked very well.

 

[Tim]

Ok this is what they gave me to understand how they did it. Exactly what I thought after looking before and after.

That worked very well.

Interesting. That makes sense as there is no way to adjust the control arms on a stock Gladiator witout additional brackets. I've never heard of them doing that before...

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