Death Wobble and Steering Issues

[legend007]

Hey all

for the past 6 months or so this wobble has become worse and at highway speeds. I took my gladiator to the dealer and one tech thought it was the tires being uneven. Well long story short I worked with the service manager and they ordered the upgraded steering stabilizer in Feb 23 and just came in last week. It was installed under warranty and I haven't noticed the wobble yet but time will tell. However, I have noticed that my steering is tighter and less play in the steering wheel. Feels like a new Jeep or how it should have been from the beginning. If you all go in make sure it is the upgraded part - 68624105-AA. In the description it shows Damper ST 19030006

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[Camaroboi13]

So you still haven’t figured out the death wobble issue then?

 

[mdyucca]

How many miles are on your Gladiator and do you have any modifications to the suspension/steering. If the DW went away with a new steering stabilizer you are among the fortunate few. Good to know the availability of the revised part and new number.

 

[Lunentucker]

All the facepalms.

Death Wobble, DW, Death Wobble, DW, Death Wobble, Shimmy, Wander, Drift, Bump Steer | Jeep Gladiator Forum - JeepGladiatorForum.com

 

[legend007]

How many miles are on your Gladiator and do you have any modifications to the suspension/steering. If the DW went away with a new steering stabilizer you are among the fortunate few. Good to know the availability of the revised part and new number.

15k on the Gladiator and it is all stock. Dealer never stated root cause and looking through the pasts posts no one has yet. I drove the truck to Florida with the back loaded and 3 people (incl me) and no issues on the way down and the way back.

 

[legend007]

So you still haven’t figured out the death wobble issue then?

Not at this time.

 

[HappyGladiator]

I don't have the DW but I have noticed a little steering wheel movement when I hit a bump on the freeway at 70. Can't tell what it is but the front shakes once. Might just need a better SS. Nothing is loose. Might have someone watch as I do it .

 

[Lunentucker]

Stabilizers do not "fix" death wobble.

The underlying issue fatigues the stabilizer and makes it begin to fail. That's why a new stabilizer appears to make DW go away. It's a lazy and cheap bandaid for dealers.
Unless the real issue is addressed properly, the DW will come back.

As for someone watching someone hit a bump on the freeway at 70 mph, please get video.

 

[rockjeep]

Not at this time.

I had bad death wobble. I did the ball joint eliminators and reed knuckles and its way better than stock.

 

[Camaroboi13]

I had some wobbling in the steering wheel between 42 and 48mph. Rotating the tires from front to back solved the issue. In the meantime, with 37s on the Jeep, I wore out my stock stabilizer from all the wobbling around, with 16k on the odometer. I knew it wasn't going to last anyways, so I upgraded to the Falcon through shaft stabilizer. I did not notice any difference in how the Jeep drove after the stabilizer, the tire rotation was the culprit for me. Sometimes it's as easy as a simple tire rotation. I need to get my tires rebalanced, but I've been too lazy to take my stocks to the tire shop to get my TPMS sensors out of them to do it all at once.

 

[Malachi23]

I had the Fox ATS installed on my '22 Mojave and it made a noticeable difference in the responsiveness I later add the Synergy Sector Shaft and got a small improvement on top of that.

 

[DailyMoparGuy]

I’ve been chasing DW as well. Check out Lunentucker’s post above. That’s how I’m attacking it. I move next week so I don’t really have time on my side unfortunately.

0 toe and 6 degree caster didn’t fix it for me. Neither the shop or I found ball joint play. My drag link had some vertical play at the joint on the pitman arm though. This doesn’t surprise me because my bump steer has gotten noticeably worse over time.

I’m having them replace the drag link, tie rod, and stabilizer all in one since I don’t really have time to do step by step eliminations. I move next week, so at the very least I’m hoping the Fox ATS stabilizer masks the issue for my 1,800 mile drive. Fingers crossed that maybe the new drag link and tie rod actually fixes the issue.

Causes vary though…your DW could be something different from another person experiencing it.

 

[DailyMoparGuy]

I don't have the DW but I have noticed a little steering wheel movement when I hit a bump on the freeway at 70. Can't tell what it is but the front shakes once. Might just need a better SS. Nothing is loose. Might have someone watch as I do it .

You’re experiencing bump steer. Still unsettling though. While I can’t confirm that bump steer and DW are related, I would still advise you to to look into solutions if your bump steer starts to linger after the initial bump….

Road bump, one steering wheel shake - maybe fine.

Road bump, lasting shaking (violent or not) - try to pin it down with the resources Lunetucker provided in this thread. Check torques, tire balance, alignment, worn parts, etc.

 

[alyn]

Hey all

for the past 6 months or so this wobble has become worse and at highway speeds. I took my gladiator to the dealer and one tech thought it was the tires being uneven. Well long story short I worked with the service manager and they ordered the upgraded steering stabilizer in Feb 23 and just came in last week. It was installed under warranty and I haven't noticed the wobble yet but time will tell. However, I have noticed that my steering is tighter and less play in the steering wheel. Feels like a new Jeep or how it should have been from the beginning. If you all go in make sure it is the upgraded part - 68624105-AA. In the description it shows Damper ST 19030006

I bought my Gladiator in 4/21. Was actually afraid to drive it because of steering wander.Then came the death wobble over frost heaves and bridge transitions. The dealer replaced the steering damper and " bolt". Now i'll drive it anywhere.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Dealer never stated root cause and looking through the pasts posts no one has yet.

That's because there is not one root cause. Go through every post out there and start listing.
Tires, wheels, alignment, caster too high or low, worn ball joints, worn (insert name of steering or suspension part here) and more.

Was actually afraid to drive it because of steering wander.Then came the death wobble over frost heaves and bridge transitions. The dealer replaced the steering damper and " bolt". Now i'll drive it anywhere.

Until that damper wears out because of the underlying issues that causes your wander to begin with.
Fix the wander first, then go from there. You masked it. The cause of wander is still there just waiting.

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