2021 gladiator death wobble

[ecidiego]

My tires were inspected and also balanced twice, alignment x2. Tires fixed my problem. Not going to get into an argument here. Just sharing my experience. Dealer says this fixed a dozen Gladiators, including mine. As I said, YMMV.

Glad you got it fixed!

Sponsored

 

[Rusty PW]

Early 3rd Gen Rams 2500 - 3500 ('05 to '08) that had DW. The fix was changing tires. The stock D rated BFG's were changed to to E rated tires. Later on ('09), Ram changed the steering linkage. Went from a "Y" style linkage to a "T" style linkage. If the tires didn't fix DW on the early 3rd gens. Ram would then change the steering linkage. They also swapped out the steering stabilizer.

Thuren has a nice write up on DW for those who want it read it.

https://www.thurenfabrication.com/pages/death-wobble-explained

 

[Murgatroid]

I've had my Gladiator since August of 2019, until last fall, I had never had any issues with the suspension. Last fall, on a short trip, hit some really rough hwy and every time I hit a bad spot, I got the wobble. Didn't happen any where else, just that one stretch of hwy (a good 30 or 40 miles). Took it in, they replaced the dampener. I don't know if they fixed it because I don't go up that hwy much, that fall trip had been the first time in years. Well it has happened again, it is only happening in one spot on an off ramp, in the curve there is a bad/rough transition from black top to concrete, and when I hit it the wobble starts and I almost have to come to a stop before it stops. So I don't think it was the dampener, any ideas what it could be. Not tires because it has happened twice with snow tires and twice with my summer tires. I'm calling the dealer in the morning. Jeep has been making solid axles front ends for 80 years, surely the engineers should of figured out how to build a safe one that doesn't have a death wobble by now.

 

[seven30]

I've had my Gladiator since August of 2019, until last fall, I had never had any issues with the suspension. Last fall, on a short trip, hit some really rough hwy and every time I hit a bad spot, I got the wobble. Didn't happen any where else, just that one stretch of hwy (a good 30 or 40 miles). Took it in, they replaced the dampener. I don't know if they fixed it because I don't go up that hwy much, that fall trip had been the first time in years. Well it has happened again, it is only happening in one spot on an off ramp, in the curve there is a bad/rough transition from black top to concrete, and when I hit it the wobble starts and I almost have to come to a stop before it stops. So I don't think it was the dampener, any ideas what it could be. Not tires because it has happened twice with snow tires and twice with my summer tires. I'm calling the dealer in the morning. Jeep has been making solid axles front ends for 80 years, surely the engineers should of figured out how to build a safe one that doesn't have a death wobble by now.

I have several different jeeps with solid axles going back to a 92 Comanche truck but none want to shimmy/DW like the JT. But then none have as large a tire as the JT either.
That big spinning mass causes high forces in the system and its got to be really tight to resist them.

Usually the first thing suggested is verifying all suspension linkages are torqued to spec. With an actual torque wrench. Bushings have to be in top shape especially the track bar.
Balljoints are spring loaded and may appear ok with a casual tug. Put some force on them to be sure they can resist deflection. Even a small amount may be enough to allow
a shimmy leading to DW.

Do not rule out a failed damper again. Especially if subzero temps were encountered.

 

[dcmdon]

It sure would be great if anyone sharing their experience of a DW would include if they have lifted the truck or touched the suspension in any way. As well as what wheels and tires they have on it.

A lifted truck on 37 with a DW is of much less concern than a stock Sport on street tires. And the solution will be different.

Also, if this happens to you and you are going to pursue a warranty claim, VIDEO TAPE the event. If the problem is easily reproducible on a road near the dealer tell the service manager that a "could not duplicate" is unacceptable and you want to demonstrate it to either him or the tech who will be working on it.

Tell them that immediately after the work is done you will be going back to see if you can replicate it.
If the problem persists, go right back.

I write this as someone who used to work as a service writer at a dealer.

If you can't reproduce it anywhere near the dealer, a video of it is the next best thing.

 

[seven30]

It sure would be great if anyone sharing their experience of a DW would include if they have lifted the truck or touched the suspension in any way. As well as what wheels and tires they have on it.

A lifted truck on 37 with a DW is of much less concern than a stock Sport on street tires. And the solution will be different.

Also, if this happens to you and you are going to pursue a warranty claim, VIDEO TAPE the event. If the problem is easily reproducible on a road near the dealer tell the service manager that a "could not duplicate" is unacceptable and you want to demonstrate it to either him or the tech who will be working on it.

Tell them that immediately after the work is done you will be going back to see if you can replicate it.
If the problem persists, go right back.

I write this as someone who used to work as a service writer at a dealer.

If you can't reproduce it anywhere near the dealer, a video of it is the next best thing.

Need a gopro or something. Kind of hard to hold the phone when the thing is tying to kill you

 

[dcmdon]

Need a gopro or something. Kind of hard to hold the phone when the thing is tying to kill you

Ha. good point. Maybe induce it with your wife in the truck. Have her film it.

 

[OHJeeper]

Where is that out of? Is that the FSM or anywhere as a .pdf by chance? I ask since I'm new to Jeeps/SFA, and trying to learn what the components are now compared to coming from Toyotas and IFS, the UCA is not the same thing lol!

I have one similar that came with the MOPAR lift kit. I assume that's where this one came from, too. I have one updated for 2020, but the torque specs are the same. These are also in the FSM, but that's $$$ for a TechAuthority subscription.

 

[SSinGA]

Replacing the junk, factory ball joints will go a long way to fixing any death wobble issues. They can have play even in low mileage vehicles.

 

[seven30]

Replacing the junk, factory ball joints will go a long way to fixing any death wobble issues. They can have play even in low mileage vehicles.

I tend to suspect that is the case. Mine are less than a year old and does not take a lot of force to overcome the spring loading and deflect. Hence the critical requirement of the damper.

 

[Murgatroid]

It sure would be great if anyone sharing their experience of a DW would include if they have lifted the truck or touched the suspension in any way. As well as what wheels and tires they have on it.

A lifted truck on 37 with a DW is of much less concern than a stock Sport on street tires. And the solution will be different.

Also, if this happens to you and you are going to pursue a warranty claim, VIDEO TAPE the event. If the problem is easily reproducible on a road near the dealer tell the service manager that a "could not duplicate" is unacceptable and you want to demonstrate it to either him or the tech who will be working on it.

Tell them that immediately after the work is done you will be going back to see if you can replicate it.
If the problem persists, go right back.

I write this as someone who used to work as a service writer at a dealer.

If you can't reproduce it anywhere near the dealer, a video of it is the next best thing.

No lift, all original, no suspension modes. The only thing I did was get a set of snow tires for winter and the wobble has happened with both the snow tires and the regular set on the Jeep. Called Jeep this morning, the 27th is as soon as they can get me in.

 

[seven30]

I installed a new <$100 fox damper because my dealer said the stocker is backordered. Cured my DW but I know for sure my stock damper had leaked.

 

[SSinGA]

I installed a new <$100 fox damper because my dealer said the stocker is backordered. Cured my DW but I know for sure my stock damper had leaked.

Dampers don't cure or prevent death wobble.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Dampers don't cure or prevent death wobble.

Can't count the number of times that's been said and quoted from suspension experts (and not the arm-chair web type)

A quote ->
On a properly designed and well maintained system, a damper's purpose is to mitigate the effects of bump steer and the sudden encounter of unexpected objects, such as hitting a rock in a trail at 50 miles per hour. On an improperly designed and/or poorly maintained system, a damper is used as a crutch to mask issues with suspension and tire errors.



The reasons are still there........... it's like using aspirin to mask the pain of a brain aneurism. The issue is still there, you just can't feel it.

 

[seven30]

Dampers don't cure or prevent death wobble.

I know I know, but in my case a new damper swamped out shimmy enough that it never progressed into DW. Something about the JT setup appears to have a tendency to shimmy. I suspect the heavy wheel and tire with ball joints that deflect too easily might be part of the problem.

Interesting event recently. A car nearly tboned my son in his 2000 GC. He reacted fast and swerved but they still nailed the front wheel and bent the steering drag link. Ball joints were loose as could be. But still no shimmy or DW!! Replaced the draglink and joints and its good as new. Tough GC! He got rear ended two years ago. Tow hitch took the hit.
Suburu was totaled.

Sponsored