Death Wobble Cause found article

[ShadowsPapa]

You're going off on a tangent - if the frontend is disassembled and reassembled and set in place with red Loctite, I would feel that the steering and suspension components were more thoroughly examined. Visuals do nothing for a true frontend evaluation. That's just my opinion after repairing my TJ and a few other Jeeps with shimmy and Death Wobble over the years.

PS - I've seen some of your other posts - I think we're in the same place on some of this - just different approach methods and/or ways of saying it. I usually go around the block a couple of times as you've seen - HA. There's a lot of folks here if they were closer would like to meet.

Sponsored

 

[Desert Outlaw]

PS - I've seen some of your other posts - I think we're in the same place on some of this - just different approach methods and/or ways of saying it. I usually go around the block a couple of times as you've seen - HA. There's a lot of folks here if they were closer would like to meet.

In 1996, I bought a 1994 Ford Ranger XLT 4x4 when I briefly lived in Michigan. There, I saw the need for a daily 4x4 driver. When I moved back to Southern California, I joined the Explorer Forum where the forum owner - Rick Horwitz held an annual Truckhaven meet, greet and run. Jeep Gladiator Forum could do something to this effect. In 2004, I co-founded the Rubicon Owners Club along with Russell Traughber and Randy Peterson. Eventually, the ROC CLUB became one of the largest 4wd clubs here in California.

Russ Traughber (RIP) and I - 2005 San Felipe

Gladiators are a unique brand within a brand that could create it's own club or forum outings with trails specifically set up for it's unique wheelbase. While this can be seen as a challenge, I don't see it necessarily as a hindrance to having fun on the trail.

Every year, I organize an annual Joshua Tree during MLK II weekend. My run has brought together as many as 41 Jeep owners (with a couple of Toyota drivers as guests). This year will be interesting as I will have my Gladiator lifted 4.5" with the EVO MFG suspension and 38" tires. Berdoo Canyon road will be much less challenging than in stock form. I will answer lots of questions about the Gladiator and my build on that run, and maybe the shorter wheelbase JKs, JKUs, JLs, JLUs and even TJs and TJUs will be able to keep up with me!

But on a serious note, I have run Rancho steering stabilizers in the past. And with worn ball joints and unit bearings actually created a dead spot that was visible on the Piston of the steering stabilizer. This contributed to a Dead Spot in my steering! I only see this as a theory. If my JT develops this sort of steering affliction, I will tear the frontend apart and I will know exactly what area to look at first.

 

[ajaj96]

My Gladiator just developed death wobble. It's not as violent as some other videos I've seen but if I'm going over 65 mph and hit a decent bump on the road the steering wheel shakes relatively aggressively AND WILL CONTINUE TO DO SO until I slow down to below 50mph. I saw that the NHTSA service bulletin for the Wrangler JL death wobble also includes the Gladiator so let's hope the dealership doesn't give me a hard time about it and just fixes what needs to be fixed....

 

[Desert Outlaw]

My Gladiator just developed death wobble. It's not as violent as some other videos I've seen but if I'm going over 65 mph and hit a decent bump on the road the steering wheel shakes relatively aggressively AND WILL CONTINUE TO DO SO until I slow down to below 50mph. I saw that the NHTSA service bulletin for the Wrangler JL death wobble also includes the Gladiator so let's hope the dealership doesn't give me a hard time about it and just fixes what needs to be fixed....

@ajaj96 What maintenance have you provided for your Gladiator? Have you examined the ball joints for being seated appropriately? Have you applied a rubber mallet to completely snug your tie rod ends? Have you verified the air pressure in your front tires? Have you examined your front trackbar for tightness? Is your Gladiator modified? What size tires are you running?

 

[ajaj96]

@ajaj96 What maintenance have you provided for your Gladiator? Have you examined the ball joints for being seated appropriately? Have you applied a rubber mallet to completely snug your tie rod ends? Have you verified the air pressure in your front tires? Have you examined your front trackbar for tightness? Is your Gladiator modified? What size tires are you running?

It's bone stock. It just started last week and it happens every single day now going over the same bumps on my way to and from work. I haven't had a chance to take a look at it for myself so if the dealership can't fix it tomorrow I guess I'll have to dig deeper.

 

[ajaj96]

@ajaj96 What maintenance have you provided for your Gladiator? Have you examined the ball joints for being seated appropriately? Have you applied a rubber mallet to completely snug your tie rod ends? Have you verified the air pressure in your front tires? Have you examined your front trackbar for tightness? Is your Gladiator modified? What size tires are you running?

It seems to only happen when it's below 40° out too

 

[Desert Outlaw]

It seems to only happen when it's below 40° out too

When your dealership makes the repair, it will be important for you to know the exact cause of the shimmy @ajaj96

 

[Desert Outlaw]

It's bone stock. It just started last week and it happens every single day now going over the same bumps on my way to and from work. I haven't had a chance to take a look at it for myself so if the dealership can't fix it tomorrow I guess I'll have to dig deeper.

A set of box wrenches and a good rubber mallet are what's likely needed if your tie rod ends are loose from the factory. These will loosen again over time, so knowing the position of all 6 tie rod end nuts along with your track bar bolt and your steering dampener location is to your advantage @ajaj96

 

[ajaj96]

A set of box wrenches and a good rubber mallet are what's likely needed if your tie rod ends are loose from the factory. These will loosen again over time, so knowing the position of all 6 tie rod end nuts along with your track bar bolt and your steering dampener location is to your advantage @ajaj96

Thank you so much for your input. I'll update again once the dealership takes a look at it

 

[ajaj96]

Just got my Jeep back from the dealership. They we're able to replicate the DW and found it necessary to replace the steering damper. It's about 43° out right now so it's not quite cold enough for me to see if it's truly fixed but the front end does feel much tighter over even little bumps in the road. Will update again once I get to drive it around when it's under 38°

 

[Desert Outlaw]

Just got my Jeep back from the dealership. They we're able to replicate the DW and found it necessary to replace the steering damper. It's about 43° out right now so it's not quite cold enough for me to see if it's truly fixed but the front end does feel much tighter over even little bumps in the road. Will update again once I get to drive it around when it's under 38°

Good luck with that prognosis @ajaj96
The purpose of the steering dampener is to lessen jolts through your steering wheel and protect your steering system from repeated jarring from the road - not to cease steering shimmy.

 

[JeepCares]

My Gladiator just developed death wobble. It's not as violent as some other videos I've seen but if I'm going over 65 mph and hit a decent bump on the road the steering wheel shakes relatively aggressively AND WILL CONTINUE TO DO SO until I slow down to below 50mph. I saw that the NHTSA service bulletin for the Wrangler JL death wobble also includes the Gladiator so let's hope the dealership doesn't give me a hard time about it and just fixes what needs to be fixed....

Hi ajaj96,
We understand the level of your concern with this situation. Please PM us your VIN so that we may further assist.

Kathryn
JeepCares

Sponsored