22 JT death wobble and replacing the factory steering damper

[scomoletti]

Dropped my jeep at the dealer for them to diagnose the death wobble. They claim its the steering damper which doesnt exactly surprise me. Down side is they also said they cant get a new one in for 45 days. So I ordered a skyjacker hydro 7008 and had it in 3 days. Figured it was 2 bolts, what could go wrong!

What went wrong is the square neck bolt on the tie rod end of the damper wont fit the crush sleeve of the skyjacker. Looks like skyjacker assume a round neck bolt, the factory damper had a wider inside diameter for 3/4 the depth of the sleeve to fit the square neck.

Question I have, is the square neck bolt normal on the JT? from what I could find for part numbers and the years they apply to the bolt (06513445AA) is for 20-22 JT and 18-22 JL. But I cant find a single oem replacement damper that appears to work with that bolt. Trying to understand if *all* the supposed oem replacement dampers online are advertised incorrectly or if jeep maybe changed things due to parts supply issues and the square neck bolt isnt really standard?

I also have a support request in with skyjacker to see if maybe what they shipped my had the wrong parts in the box but figured I'd ask here to see what others have run across.

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[Mr._Bill]

The square neck bolt is a recent Jeep change. One solution to install a aftermarket stabilizer on a newer Jeep is to get one of the older style bolts.

 

[dmwphoto]

 

[scomoletti]

Thank you both. The video especially. It would be nice if other retailers selling them online included the information like NorthRidge did. Its almost to the point of false advertising. Easily fixed if you know but painful if you dont.

 

[Lunentucker]

Stating the obvious, but a bad stabilizer does not cause death wobble. It only acts to mask it.
Find what's really wrong and fix it.
Check fit and torque on all components.

Steering gearbox bolts
Pitman arm nut
Ball joints
Trackbar
Drag link
Control arms
Tie rod

Steer Smarts and others have recommended a slight toe out as further step to mitigate death wobble.

 

[JTenn]

Dropped my jeep at the dealer for them to diagnose the death wobble. They claim its the steering damper which doesnt exactly surprise me. Down side is they also said they cant get a new one in for 45 days. So I ordered a skyjacker hydro 7008 and had it in 3 days. Figured it was 2 bolts, what could go wrong!

What went wrong is the square neck bolt on the tie rod end of the damper wont fit the crush sleeve of the skyjacker. Looks like skyjacker assume a round neck bolt, the factory damper had a wider inside diameter for 3/4 the depth of the sleeve to fit the square neck.

Question I have, is the square neck bolt normal on the JT? from what I could find for part numbers and the years they apply to the bolt (06513445AA) is for 20-22 JT and 18-22 JL. But I cant find a single oem replacement damper that appears to work with that bolt. Trying to understand if *all* the supposed oem replacement dampers online are advertised incorrectly or if jeep maybe changed things due to parts supply issues and the square neck bolt isnt really standard?

I also have a support request in with skyjacker to see if maybe what they shipped my had the wrong parts in the box but figured I'd ask here to see what others have run across.

I chucked mine up in my lathe and turned the square off of it. If you have access to or know a machinist have them turn it down.

 

[geneinhouston]

wow i have never heard of or experienced this to be honest...had a wrangler for 10 years and now have a gladiator...hoping the 2023's have eradicated this issue?

sounds terrifying!

 

[JTenn]

wow i have never heard of or experienced this to be honest...had a wrangler for 10 years and now have a gladiator...hoping the 2023's have eradicated this issue?

sounds terrifying!

I doubt it. The 20's were a round bolt. In late 20 and up they have the square shank on the bolt body. It really is as simple as replacing the bolt with a grade 8 m12 (I think) bolt or having the square turned down. Took 3 minutes to do.

 

[geneinhouston]

I doubt it. The 20's were a round bolt. In late 20 and up they have the square shank on the bolt body. It really is as simple as replacing the bolt with a grade 8 m12 (I think) bolt or having the square turned down. Took 3 minutes to do.

yikes!
okay so i see you live in Tennessee... how long will it take you to drive here and do this for me in Houston?! ?
(signed the person who is so far removed from being mechanically inclined that i actually paid to have my Sunrider installled! haha)

 

[JTenn]

yikes!
okay so i see you live in Tennessee... how long will it take you to drive here and do this for me in Houston?! ?
(signed the person who is so far removed from being mechanically inclined that i actually paid to have my Sunrider installled! haha)

Well at about 20 miles into the trip, you buying a bolt would be cheaper. Lol. I don't recall there being a clearance issue that requires the use of a carriage style head on that bolt. I would take your bolt to a hardware store nearby that has a good assortment of bolts. Have someone verify the size but I'm confident it's an m12 x 1.75 thread. Not sure about the length. You will want a 10.9 grade bolt, lock washers, and nylock nut. Otherwise I would take it to a machine shop and have them turn the square down to 12mm round and leave .100 of the square under the head to engage the square in the bracket. Im sure This entire change was done to speed up assembly at the factory. They probably kept spinning the bolt as they were trying to zip the nut on quickly and it wouldn't stay engaged in the bracket. So they lengthened the bolt square. Good luck!!

 

[geneinhouston]

Well at about 20 miles into the trip, you buying a bolt would be cheaper. Lol. I don't recall there being a clearance issue that requires the use of a carriage style head on that bolt. I would take your bolt to a hardware store nearby that has a good assortment of bolts. Have someone verify the size but I'm confident it's an m12 x 1.75 thread. Not sure about the length. You will want a 10.9 grade bolt, lock washers, and nylock nut. Otherwise I would take it to a machine shop and have them turn the square down to 12mm round and leave .100 of the square under the head to engage the square in the bracket. Im sure This entire change was done to speed up assembly at the factory. They probably kept spinning the bolt as they were trying to zip the nut on quickly and it wouldn't stay engaged in the bracket. So they lengthened the bolt square. Good luck!!

haha yeah gas prices and the low mileage makes you correct!
but wow that is some good information! thanks for that as it is appreciated @JTenn !

 

[JTenn]

Happy to help.

 

[Mattileous]

Dropped my jeep at the dealer for them to diagnose the death wobble. They claim its the steering damper which doesnt exactly surprise me. Down side is they also said they cant get a new one in for 45 days. So I ordered a skyjacker hydro 7008 and had it in 3 days. Figured it was 2 bolts, what could go wrong!

What went wrong is the square neck bolt on the tie rod end of the damper wont fit the crush sleeve of the skyjacker. Looks like skyjacker assume a round neck bolt, the factory damper had a wider inside diameter for 3/4 the depth of the sleeve to fit the square neck.

Question I have, is the square neck bolt normal on the JT? from what I could find for part numbers and the years they apply to the bolt (06513445AA) is for 20-22 JT and 18-22 JL. But I cant find a single oem replacement damper that appears to work with that bolt. Trying to understand if *all* the supposed oem replacement dampers online are advertised incorrectly or if jeep maybe changed things due to parts supply issues and the square neck bolt isnt really standard?

I also have a support request in with skyjacker to see if maybe what they shipped my had the wrong parts in the box but figured I'd ask here to see what others have run across.

I have a 2020 and just started experiencing the death wobble, thought I was one of the lucky ones this whole time but I guess it was inevitable. Made an appointment with the dealer I leased from but they were 2 weeks out. Waited the two weeks only for them to tell me its the steering damper and they have none in stock and I will have to wait until April. Being a lease I'm not going to do any aftermarket changes so I guess I'll wait. However, its completely undriveable at highway speeds, thank god I still have a car I can use but still what poor service.

 

[willhonkforparts]

I have a 2020 and just started experiencing the death wobble, thought I was one of the lucky ones this whole time but I guess it was inevitable. Made an appointment with the dealer I leased from but they were 2 weeks out. Waited the two weeks only for them to tell me its the steering damper and they have none in stock and I will have to wait until April. Being a lease I'm not going to do any aftermarket changes so I guess I'll wait. However, its completely undriveable at highway speeds, thank god I still have a car I can use but still what poor service.

As noted above, The steering stabilizer does not cure death wobble. It only masks it. Like putting a bandaid on a cut that needs stitches. Sure, you can cover it up temporarily, but you've got other issues. Check your tire balance, lug nut torque, all tie rod ends and bushings in the front end. Check for any play in the the steering and suspension.

 

[scomoletti]

Confirmed what you say with mine. Got the bolt sorted and new damper on. Still wobbles at 55mph but recovers much faster. I did find a couple loose bolts that I could reach and check in my driveway without a lift or jack. It goes back to the dealer monday for the rest.

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