Death Wobble is back....

[LostWoods]

45 doesn't seem to be cold enough to cause issues with the polymers/rubber in the joints. If we were talking sub-zero then yeah they can do weird things but 45 degrees isn't even remotely cold from a materials standpoint.

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[ajaj96]

The weather would have nothing to do with it. It's more than likely just a coincidence that it's happening in colder weather. I would check your steering damper and the track bar that they they remove, ask for the used parts back, to see if they are actually wore out or not. If they are good then you have other issues, like maybe a bad steering box. A lot cheaper for them to keep replacing a steering stabilizer and track bar than go the Steering box route. Stabilizer and Trackbar are less than $100 for the dealership to buy together and only take about 20 minutes to install.

It's

Well maybe I guess, just doesn't make a whole lot of sense and have never heard of or saw it being weather related. It would make more sense for it to happen when it's hot rather than cold because of the heat and friction being greater and causing things to be more loose. But I guess there's a first time.

Yup it's extremely confusing. I wish I knew what was wrong. I honestly think that with this JL/JT Generation, Jeep screwed up on the overall suspension geometry and they just replace the steering damper as a bandaid.

 

[ajaj96]

45 doesn't seem to be cold enough to cause issues with the polymers/rubber in the joints. If we were talking sub-zero then yeah they can do weird things but 45 degrees isn't even remotely cold from a materials standpoint.

Last year it would only happen around 38°. Today is the first time it happened above that. It's going to warm up again this week tho and I can almost guarantee that it will completely go away until it gets cold out again. I don't understand it at all lmao

 

[Dewyaw]

The weather would have nothing to do with it. It's more than likely just a coincidence that it's happening in colder weather. I would check your steering damper and the track bar that they they remove, ask for the used parts back, to see if they are actually wore out or not. If they are good then you have other issues, like maybe a bad steering box. A lot cheaper for them to keep replacing a steering stabilizer and track bar than go the Steering box route. Stabilizer and Trackbar are less than $100 for the dealership to buy together and only take about 20 minutes to install.

I would actually disagree with that...the colder weather will shrink the metal, causing loosness that otherwise wouldn’t be there in warmer weather. Rubber Bushings also get harder and less pliable. I wouldn’t dismiss the cold weather...

 

[Jeeperjamie]

I would actually disagree with that...the colder weather will shrink the metal, causing loosness that otherwise wouldn’t be there in warmer weather. Rubber Bushings also get harder and less pliable. I wouldn’t dismiss the cold weather...

Good point and something I didn't think about. I just have never heard of it being temperature related, but it would make sense if he had something already loose then it would get worse using that theory. Either way @ajaj96, if jeep replaces those parts then I'd make sure you get the old parts back to inspect. I suspect you got more going on.

 

[Jeeperjamie]

It's

Yup it's extremely confusing. I wish I knew what was wrong. I honestly think that with this JL/JT Generation, Jeep screwed up on the overall suspension geometry and they just replace the steering damper as a bandaid.

This is true. If you go in with some knowledge on the situation then they will have to do something other than that.

 

[ajaj96]

This is true. If you go in with some knowledge on the situation then they will have to do something other than that.

Absolutely. I've already called and asked them to replace the steering box as well since Jeep issued a service bulletin on that a couple months back. Maybe they'll replace my entire front end by the time this is over who knows lmao .

 

[ajaj96]

I would actually disagree with that...the colder weather will shrink the metal, causing loosness that otherwise wouldn’t be there in warmer weather. Rubber Bushings also get harder and less pliable. I wouldn’t dismiss the cold weather...

Absolutely. It's 100% cold weather related. The ride stiffening up is also strange to me and feels like they have to be related in some way. It gets much more jarring over bumps which I think is causing more vibrations leading to DW. I could be wrong but I have a suspicion that they are related.

 

[steffen707]

Had death wobble last winter. My steering damper was replaced by the dealership back in March. Since then I've had no issues.....until today. 45° out, 72mph on I-95. I started to feel a little shimmy earlier this morning but tried to ignore it. But then, going over an overpass...BOOM. Death Wobble came back with a vengeance. It has already happened 3 times today. I took it to the dealership immediately and they have ANOTHER steering damper on order as well as a new track bar. This will be the 9th time I've had an issue with this truck in just over a year. At this point, take my car back. I want a Bronco.

if it hasn't been covered yet, get your steering box replaced to the steel one, then chase any other isues. the aluminum one will certainly compound the problem.

 

[ajaj96]

if it hasn't been covered yet, get your steering box replaced to the steel one, then chase any other isues. the aluminum one will certainly compound the problem.

Lmao I actually just called the dealership a few minutes ago and told them to replace it. Thank you for the input thought. I'm hoping I can finally get this sorted.

 

[CMac]

You might possibly want to try a different dealer, also... if you've been in nine different times and are still having issues.

Letting Stevie Wonder and Helen Keller put wrenches on your rig probably is not unsafe....but from a time-management standpoint, it sounds like a sketchy idea.

 

[ajaj96]

You might possibly want to try a different dealer, also... if you've been in nine different times and are still having issues.

Letting Stevie Wonder and Helen Keller put wrenches on your rig probably is not unsafe....but from a time-management standpoint, it sounds like a sketchy idea.

Well 3 times for death wobble. 9 times in total for different issues lmao

 

[PDiddy]

Death Wobble will be the name of my next rock band.

 

[Phred]

Temperature can absolutely change things drastically...

If you have water in your tires, it can freeze and throw off balance when you start out cold. Once tires warm up, the issue goes away because the water melts and spreads around inside the tire evening out the balance again.

The water comes from inflating with high moisture air.

I had this happen to me...so I KNOW it happens. The amount of water was minimal...the shaking in the car when cold was dramatic.

 

[JeepCares]

Had death wobble last winter. My steering damper was replaced by the dealership back in March. Since then I've had no issues.....until today. 45° out, 72mph on I-95. I started to feel a little shimmy earlier this morning but tried to ignore it. But then, going over an overpass...BOOM. Death Wobble came back with a vengeance. It has already happened 3 times today. I took it to the dealership immediately and they have ANOTHER steering damper on order as well as a new track bar. This will be the 9th time I've had an issue with this truck in just over a year. At this point, take my car back. I want a Bronco.

Hi @ajaj96,

We are sorry to hear that you have these concerns with your Jeep Gladiator. If you would like assistance while at the dealer, please send our team a message.

Darlene
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