Advice from local Jeep shop on a repair

[joedan916]

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?

depending on what brand you have installed, those parts can range from for both $300 TO $800 dollars plus the labor which is about 2 hrs. I would purchase my choice of parts, then only pay for the labor, could save you money, I do it all the time

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[ShadowsPapa]

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 in the heck did they change caster on an all-stock Sport?

Using the plates? LOL - that's probably like the eccentrics used to set camber on early Fords and are a crappy way to do it.

To me, that's a hack. It required reaming out holes and it makes them more subject to shifting.
No way I'd accept that method.
They didn't even install the MOPAR LCAs from a lift kit?

 

[ShadowsPapa]

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...

They should have put on the MOPAR lift kit LCAs. That would have likely done it instead of plates that turn it into an eccentric and rely on the clamping force to keep things from shifting.

 

[RubiDukkie]

I experienced death wobble just one time due to a bent steering stabilizer rod damaged from rock crawling.

This was the Teraflex Falcon (HD) Nexus EF 2.2 Fast Adjust Steering Stabilizer mounted in the stock location. I had it replaced with the same, but clamped above the tie RPM tie-rod instead for better protection. The total cost for the Falcon steering stabilizer, RPM 2" HD Stabilizer Clamp (RPM-4001FAL), plus labor was $738.

 

[Gladiator Brad 704]

Did anyone check the tire pressures?

 

[Janster]

First off….. the word *Death Wobble* is used for EVERYTHING…..From a minor vibration to a major issue. Just because you read about it and how to fix it …doesn’t mean it applies to your situation.

Back in my younger years…. Death Wobble had a completely different meaning. There’s a reason why they call it DEATH…… When you’re experiencing it, you‘d think you were going to die, literally…. I’ve experienced it….and it’s FRIGHTENING!!! Especially at 60mph on the highway.

I’d tend to believe… On a newer vehicle that doesn’t do much (or any) offroading (to cause damage to suspension/steering components), the only things to cause your ‘death wobble’….would be wear items…… like bad bushings, bearings, heim joints, balljoints, loose parts, lack of lubrication, etc.

But an entire drag link? What’s their reasoning for that diagnosis? Did they explain it or SHOW YOU the damage?? If they’re a reputable shop… they should be able to show you and explain.

Sounds like you’re going to let them do the work, which is fine…… I hope it fixes your problem. Otherwise…. That rabbit hole can get pretty deep and get expensive.

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