How did YOU talk your dealership into actually fixing death wobble?

[Rahkmalla]

The wobbs have arrived. Full blown "need to pull over on the highway" wobbles. not always... but some is too much. Not a great feeling having to leave your house earlier than usual just in case you need to pull over.

I'm out of the original 3/36 (4 years old, 51k miles) but have a maxcare for many more years. I called around to a few dealerships before landing on one to take my truck to. Specifically asking if they viewed a steering stabilized alone as a sufficient fix for death wobbles. I took it to the dealership who assured me they'd look at everything, and not just see a blown out steering stabilizer, replace it, and move on. Was told they look at tie rods, tie rod ends, they DO replace steering stabilizers as well, but they said they look for more, including checking torque on the suspension. I specifically told the person i spoke with on the phone that I have aftermarket sway bar links, they agreed that would not contribute to a wobble issue.

Take truck in yesterday... today they tell me they replaced the steering stabilizer under extended warranty and nothing else (well, nothing else relevant, they measured my brake pads and tire tread). I asked them if they could check the torque on my suspension components like we talked about and even said if they can't cram that into a warranty charge i'd pay out of pocket to get my torques checked. Service writer tells me he'll get me a number, but instead just sends me a message complaining about my "aftermarket sway bar" (i have Apex AutoLYNX... my sway bar is factory). I pointed out my sway bar was factory and the tech should know that.

Has anyone here had luck trying to convince a dealership who doesn't give a shit to actually give a shit? Or is this just a "find a better dealership" situation? And if the general consensus is the latter... how does one ever going about finding a "good" dealership? I thought calling around to interview service departments was going to yield some kind of results, and considering I've worked for 3 dealerships myself in the past (service, sales, and internet department) i really SHOULDN'T be surprised I was lied to... and yet here I am.

So is the only path to fixing death wobble either doing it myself or finding a good local jeep specialist? I'd like to try to use my warranty first before giving up.

If anyone has had any success with this, how did you talk your dealership into actually fixing death wobble?

Sponsored

 

[D_JT]

Fix it yourself. I installed the lower font control arms from the MOPAR 2" lift (they are a 1/4" longer to adjust caster) and set the toe to 1/8" in. I've done this to my 2019 JL Rubicon and my 23 Gladiator Rubicon. The control arms are cheap. $80 for the pair. And setting the toe is easy with alignment brackets

 

[Air Force]

The wobbs have arrived. Full blown "need to pull over on the highway" wobbles. not always... but some is too much. Not a great feeling having to leave your house earlier than usual just in case you need to pull over.

I'm out of the original 3/36 (4 years old, 51k miles) but have a maxcare for many more years. I called around to a few dealerships before landing on one to take my truck to. Specifically asking if they viewed a steering stabilized alone as a sufficient fix for death wobbles. I took it to the dealership who assured me they'd look at everything, and not just see a blown out steering stabilizer, replace it, and move on. Was told they look at tie rods, tie rod ends, they DO replace steering stabilizers as well, but they said they look for more, including checking torque on the suspension. I specifically told the person i spoke with on the phone that I have aftermarket sway bar links, they agreed that would not contribute to a wobble issue.

Take truck in yesterday... today they tell me they replaced the steering stabilizer under extended warranty and nothing else (well, nothing else relevant, they measured my brake pads and tire tread). I asked them if they could check the torque on my suspension components like we talked about and even said if they can't cram that into a warranty charge i'd pay out of pocket to get my torques checked. Service writer tells me he'll get me a number, but instead just sends me a message complaining about my "aftermarket sway bar" (i have Apex AutoLYNX... my sway bar is factory). I pointed out my sway bar was factory and the tech should know that.

Has anyone here had luck trying to convince a dealership who doesn't give a shit to actually give a shit? Or is this just a "find a better dealership" situation? And if the general consensus is the latter... how does one ever going about finding a "good" dealership? I thought calling around to interview service departments was going to yield some kind of results, and considering I've worked for 3 dealerships myself in the past (service, sales, and internet department) i really SHOULDN'T be surprised I was lied to... and yet here I am.

So is the only path to fixing death wobble either doing it myself or finding a good local jeep specialist? I'd like to try to use my warranty first before giving up.

If anyone has had any success with this, how did you talk your dealership into actually fixing death wobble?

Check the Tracking Bar for wear and torque on that and get an Alignment. Steering Stabilizer is not the issue from my experience. Check for worn Bushings on Control Arms and Tie Rod,

 

[Stan H]

I didnt I just purchased a solid lift kit and did it all myself. Elbow grease.

 

[Wheelin98TJ]

Death wobble isn’t something I’d expect a dealer to diagnose and fix. They’ll typically follow a steering stabilizer TSB and that’s about it.

Independent shop or yourself and good luck with the warranty unfortunately.

Is it a bad wobble? And what shape are your tires in? Do they have 51k miles?

 

[Rahkmalla]

Death wobble isn’t something I’d expect a dealer to diagnose and fix. They’ll typically follow a steering stabilizer TSB and that’s about it.

Independent shop or yourself and good luck with the warranty unfortunately.

Is it a bad wobble? And what shape are your tires in? Do they have 51k miles?

Tires have 51k miles yes, but tread is 9 to 10 32nds.

Bad enough it scares my wife and I occasionally have to pull over. Feels violent.

 

[Wheelin98TJ]

Tires have 51k miles yes, but tread is 9 to 10 32nds.

Bad enough it scares my wife and I occasionally have to pull over. Feels violent.

Hmm, and I assume the tires are wearing fairly even or you'd mention it.

If I was fixing myself, first thing I'd do is a "dry steering test". Someone cranks the steering wheel back and forth rapidly while someone else watches underneath looking for slop.

If you don't want to mess with it, hopefully you have a local shop that likes to work on Jeeps. You could try asking a local Facebook Jeep group if you don't know of any shops.

 

[HooliganActual]

FWIW, there is one REALLY weak link in the Jeep's front end and that is the ball joints. Yes, you could have dozen things causing death wobble but those ball joints are "basically" plastic; at least the cup is and these things can wear out fast depending on use and lubrication...because they are plastic.

I'd suggest an easy test: the "Wiggle Test". Jack up one front wheel so that it is off the ground and grab it at the 12 o'clock and 6 o'clock position and see if it wiggles. Check the opposite wheel as well. This will typically indicate play in the ball joints which is one of the big culprits that cause death wobble.

Other typical culprits could be worn out rod ends on the tie rod or draglink; but the rod ends are made of more substantial materials than the ball joints.

Wiggle Test!

 

[JT1]

FWIW, there is one REALLY weak link in the Jeep's front end and that is the ball joints. Yes, you could have dozen things causing death wobble but those ball joints are "basically" plastic; at least the cup is and these things can wear out fast depending on use and lubrication...because they are plastic.

I'd suggest an easy test: the "Wiggle Test". Jack up one front wheel so that it is off the ground and grab it at the 12 o'clock and 6 o'clock position and see if it wiggles. Check the opposite wheel as well. This will typically indicate play in the ball joints which is one of the big culprits that cause death wobble.

Other typical culprits could be worn out rod ends on the tie rod or draglink; but the rod ends are made of more substantial materials than the ball joints.

Wiggle Test!

Sadly the wiggle test rarely works on JL/JTs. It did on the JKs. I was chasing a wobble (not dw) and replaced track bar, drag link and both uppers and lowers in the front, and it still did it.

Passed all pry testing with zero felt movement. I bit the bullet knowing they were already on borrowed time with 37s and bought the metalcloak baller joints. As soon as I popped the knuckle off the ball joints you could tell they were wasted. No resistance at all and you could flop them around by shaking them.

 

[HooliganActual]

Sadly the wiggle test rarely works on JL/JTs. It did on the JKs. I was chasing a wobble (not dw) and replaced track bar, drag link and both uppers and lowers in the front, and it still did it.

Passed all pry testing with zero felt movement. I bit the bullet knowing they were already on borrowed time with 37s and bought the metalcloak baller joints. As soon as I popped the knuckle off the ball joints you could tell they were wasted. No resistance at all and you could flop them around by shaking them.

worked on mine

 

[JT1]

worked on mine

you're lucky

point being, it can pass a wiggle test and still be 100% wasted and affect drivability especially at high speed on bad pavement.

 

[HooliganActual]

you're lucky

point being, it can pass a wiggle test and still be 100% wasted and affect drivability especially at high speed on bad pavement.

i suppose he should try all the helpful tips you have provided to resolve his dilemma.

People who hide behind the internet to be nothing but critical...SMH

 

[JT1]

i suppose he should try all the helpful tips you have provided to resolve his dilemma.

People who hide behind the internet to be nothing but critical...SMH

not critical at all. Your info won't always help him find bad ball joints.


My helpful statement was bad ball joints don't alway show up with the test you gave him to try.

Drink some coffee and relax.

 

[Ramboy]

The wobbs have arrived. Full blown "need to pull over on the highway" wobbles. not always... but some is too much. Not a great feeling having to leave your house earlier than usual just in case you need to pull over.

I'm out of the original 3/36 (4 years old, 51k miles) but have a maxcare for many more years. I called around to a few dealerships before landing on one to take my truck to. Specifically asking if they viewed a steering stabilized alone as a sufficient fix for death wobbles. I took it to the dealership who assured me they'd look at everything, and not just see a blown out steering stabilizer, replace it, and move on. Was told they look at tie rods, tie rod ends, they DO replace steering stabilizers as well, but they said they look for more, including checking torque on the suspension. I specifically told the person i spoke with on the phone that I have aftermarket sway bar links, they agreed that would not contribute to a wobble issue.

Take truck in yesterday... today they tell me they replaced the steering stabilizer under extended warranty and nothing else (well, nothing else relevant, they measured my brake pads and tire tread). I asked them if they could check the torque on my suspension components like we talked about and even said if they can't cram that into a warranty charge i'd pay out of pocket to get my torques checked. Service writer tells me he'll get me a number, but instead just sends me a message complaining about my "aftermarket sway bar" (i have Apex AutoLYNX... my sway bar is factory). I pointed out my sway bar was factory and the tech should know that.

Has anyone here had luck trying to convince a dealership who doesn't give a shit to actually give a shit? Or is this just a "find a better dealership" situation? And if the general consensus is the latter... how does one ever going about finding a "good" dealership? I thought calling around to interview service departments was going to yield some kind of results, and considering I've worked for 3 dealerships myself in the past (service, sales, and internet department) i really SHOULDN'T be surprised I was lied to... and yet here I am.

So is the only path to fixing death wobble either doing it myself or finding a good local jeep specialist? I'd like to try to use my warranty first before giving up.

If anyone has had any success with this, how did you talk your dealership into actually fixing death wobble?

Fortunately, I haven’t had issues re: death wobble with my Jeeps but I did with my 1996 Ram; oh boy it was white knuckle time. I took my Ram to my reputable 4x4 shop where they replaced the steering stabilizer and it seemed ok for a while but then came back when I crossed the same bridge (literally) that exposed the issue earlier. So, I took it to my Ram dealer and they replaced the same steering stabilizer with a “lifetime warranty” more robust stabilizer, and it’s been great ever since even when crossing that same bridge. I’m not sure if it’s apples and oranges or not but my experience turned out to be a good one once the “right part for the job” was used and finding a reputable dealership; maybe telling them that you just want it fixed right. Yes, cost is a consideration but if you’re willing to spend a little extra coin for the right fix they might listen to you; that is if they don’t try to screw you. The latter part being where reputable dealer comes into the equation. The best to you and happy Jeeping.

 

[Tim]

The wobbs have arrived. Full blown "need to pull over on the highway" wobbles. not always... but some is too much. Not a great feeling having to leave your house earlier than usual just in case you need to pull over.

I'm out of the original 3/36 (4 years old, 51k miles) but have a maxcare for many more years. I called around to a few dealerships before landing on one to take my truck to. Specifically asking if they viewed a steering stabilized alone as a sufficient fix for death wobbles. I took it to the dealership who assured me they'd look at everything, and not just see a blown out steering stabilizer, replace it, and move on. Was told they look at tie rods, tie rod ends, they DO replace steering stabilizers as well, but they said they look for more, including checking torque on the suspension. I specifically told the person i spoke with on the phone that I have aftermarket sway bar links, they agreed that would not contribute to a wobble issue.

Take truck in yesterday... today they tell me they replaced the steering stabilizer under extended warranty and nothing else (well, nothing else relevant, they measured my brake pads and tire tread). I asked them if they could check the torque on my suspension components like we talked about and even said if they can't cram that into a warranty charge i'd pay out of pocket to get my torques checked. Service writer tells me he'll get me a number, but instead just sends me a message complaining about my "aftermarket sway bar" (i have Apex AutoLYNX... my sway bar is factory). I pointed out my sway bar was factory and the tech should know that.

Has anyone here had luck trying to convince a dealership who doesn't give a shit to actually give a shit? Or is this just a "find a better dealership" situation? And if the general consensus is the latter... how does one ever going about finding a "good" dealership? I thought calling around to interview service departments was going to yield some kind of results, and considering I've worked for 3 dealerships myself in the past (service, sales, and internet department) i really SHOULDN'T be surprised I was lied to... and yet here I am.

So is the only path to fixing death wobble either doing it myself or finding a good local jeep specialist? I'd like to try to use my warranty first before giving up.

If anyone has had any success with this, how did you talk your dealership into actually fixing death wobble?

I'll echo what others have said. Spend the money on a torque wrench and check everything yourself.

Alternatively, find a good shop and pay them to do it. Not sure where in NJ you are but Globex Performance in Tom's River is top notch.

Sponsored