2021 gladiator death wobble

[MagnusWolf]

No one uses solid axles anymore on light/medium duty but jeep now (on front) in this country. So not many people are used to it anymore. We're the last ones outside of 2500s/F-250s and up.

I could deal with death wobble if that was the only issue my truck had but mine has had constant problems since I bought it. Damn thing is cursed. I still like jeep but who ever at stellantis assembled mine just did a horrendous job. I shouldn't have to pay thousands of dollars for a vehicle with a list of defects.

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[Rocksalt]

Over death wobble, if that's what it really is. That's a fixable solution that can happen on any solid axle vehicle. It's not just Jeeps that have had the problems, even Toyota's owners I know have had the issue. Not saying nothing bad about a Tacoma or Toyota, but it can happen, especially in solid axle vehicles. I 100% doubt your going to force a buy back because of death wobble, and I don't care how good of a lawyer you can afford

DW not gonna happen on any IFS... just sayin

 

[Rocksalt]

and I agree.. anyone paying good $ for a supposedy tough vehicle should not accept wobble over small road bumps

 

[MagnusWolf]

I mean you all can call me crazy if you want but my patience has worn out with this truck. I know there are good jeeps out there that people enjoy but mine has had too many problems. I even baby my truck, I do everything by the book, and it's still bone stock. Why is mine falling apart when other people put big tires on theirs and abuse them off road with barely any issues. Somebody at stellantis really screwed up on the assembly of my truck.

 

[Rocksalt]

I mean you all can call me crazy if you want but my patience has worn out with this truck. I know there are good jeeps out there that people enjoy but mine has had too many problems. I even baby my truck, I do everything by the book, and it's still bone stock. Why is mine falling apart when other people put big tires on theirs and abuse them off road with barely any issues. Somebody at stellantis really screwed up on the assembly of my truck.

yep.. my 2007 Liberty was a damn lemon... I hear ya

 

[Rocksalt]

it is sad that you have to deal with that on a new and not cheap truck

 

[Rocksalt]

If my JT starts to be a shitstorm... I will look at other trucks

 

[Recon3g]

I have a 2020 and they did put out a TSB about the stabilizer. Had it happen twice to me in one day, they replaced it and no issues since.

 

[FloridaJT6MT]

I mean you all can call me crazy if you want but my patience has worn out with this truck. I know there are good jeeps out there that people enjoy but mine has had too many problems. I even baby my truck, I do everything by the book, and it's still bone stock. Why is mine falling apart when other people put big tires on theirs and abuse them off road with barely any issues. Somebody at stellantis really screwed up on the assembly of my truck.

I don’t think you’re crazy at all. It really sucks that this is happening to your JT. This truck is meant to be fun. I’d be as pissed as you if it were happening to me. Hope you get a good resolution either way.

 

[Mjolnir]

I have a 2020 and they did put out a TSB about the stabilizer. Had it happen twice to me in one day, they replaced it and no issues since.

That TSB was for a dead spot in the stock fox stabilizer iirc. Which would not be the case here.

Regardless, to the OP, most likely you wouldnt be able to get a lemon buyback as it hasnt been in the shop for the SAME issue 3+ times or 45 consecutive days. Check your state laws regarding lemon law as currently it doesnt sound like you would qualify at all (this is just based on my limited knowledge of lemon laws in the states around me).

Goodluck to you. DW is easy to fix if you know what causes it. Most dealerships dont unfortunately.

 

[JAVIERGONZO]

You need to go to an actual suspension shop, lol. Especially if yours is modified. Get your geometry back on track.

 

[Gvsukids]

It's more than just a death wobble, it had leaking exhaust pipe due to a bent flange from the factory, leaking left rear shock, knocking noise when braking, and the rear axle had to be replaced due to a bad limited slip diff binding. It only has 4,827 miles and has been back and forth to the dealer several times. I mean how many more problems do I need to have with this thing? I've already tightened every ball joint and suspension bolt on this thing.

Sorry your dealership won't fix the problem. I'd try another dealership.

 

[OHJeeper]

There is history on the thread I am quoting below, here: https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/forum/threads/mopar-2in-lift.52133/post-866191

But the details, below make more sense in this thread...

I also measured the drag link and track bar angles on my "no wobble" JK.... 7 degrees for the drag link and 6 degrees for the track bar (measured near the same spot, close to the axle mounts). I'll measure my other JK when my daughter is home from school and post the results.

So, I've been working on this on and off as I have time.

I replaced the track bar on my "wobble" JK with the one from my non-wobble JK: no difference

Installed the Rancho Geometry Correct Brackets to try and correct the caster as well as the LCA angle. My caster before the brackets was about 3°... I used the "3rd" hole in the bracket (UCA's) which pushed me over 7°. More is better, right? Wrong... my daughter said the wobble was considerably worse, and her steering wheel shook more (like it does at the beginning of DW, but stopped) going over rough pavement/potholes where it did not before.

Moved the UCA's back to the 2nd hole in the bracket, she's roughly at 6° now. Still gets the DW at the same place every morning on her way to school if she drives over 45 MPH (yes, it's DW: she has to come to a complete stop in the middle of traffic... not good)

So... I'm racking my brain here and I happen to see a post from the JK forum where there was an old TSB related to the stabilizer boot. I was thinking about the stabilizer and tie rod and pulled out the factory service manual to look at the tie rod replacement procedure (thinking that was my next adventure). In the FSM, the procedure to attach the stabilizer is very specific about leveling the tie rod and then attaching the stabilizer bracket with the stabilizer bolt level to the track bar (parallel to the ground, basically).

Her stabilizer bracket was downward angled a bit to clear the boot at the axle attachment, stabilizer was maybe 3-4° from the axle, the bolt was maybe 30-40° rotated downward. I re-attached and moved the stabilizer tie rod bracket per the FSM (the boot is touching the axle mount now, but...).

She drives it and DW is GONE. Still a "shimmy" in the steering wheel for a brief moment, but gone quickly.

I think I may still have a loose tie rod which is the "root" cause, but changing the angle of the stabilizer had a HUGE effect.

Thought others may get some benefit from this.

 

[MagnusWolf]

It's at the dealer now, they are still looking at it.

 

[Ar4130]

I have the same issue in my Gladiator Sport. This month it has happened 3 times, twice just yesterday. Each time the intensity increases, not good for a any vehicle with 14K miles. Here is what happened to me
1st time; uneven surface in left side while at 65 mph. In the 2-3 seconds while on the patch, experienced a left to right vibration in the steering wheel. It was also a pronounced wobble on the left side as well. This continued after the rough patch and the surface was smooth and normal. I slowed down to 55, and the wobble stopped and steering wheel vibration stopped as well. Increased speed up to 75, no vibration or wobble returned. Strange.

2nd time; 36 degrees this morning, changing lane to left at 65 very intense front wobble felt like both sides. Created dangerous condition while passing another vehicle on the right. Continued for 20-30 seconds until I was able to safely moved to the right and slow down to 50mph, then wobble stopped.

3rd time: same day 5 miles further up the interstate, still 36 degrees this morning, hit slight bump at beginning of overpass created a very intense front wobble felt like both sides. Created dangerous condition and continued for 20-30 seconds until I was able to slow down to 50mph, then wobble stopped.

Not accceptable, calling Jeep Monday to get this in for them to look at it.
Thought I would share my wobble story
…Tim..+

That is not death wobble

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