Death wobble out of the blue......

[kevman65]

While you're checking hardware up front, check all 4 bolts for the steering box.

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[Scott L]

Shop tells me it’s the drag link in my case. Too much play laterally at the attachment to the pitman arm. They’re recommending new drag link (and may as well do tie rod). I’ll do the work myself so this will be my next project.

As far as stabilizer talk, I already have an aftermarket Fox stabilizer that’s been relocated with the Clayton bracket.

Excellent let us know if that resolves the issue.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

While you're checking hardware up front, check all 4 bolts for the steering box.

Two were not to spec on my 2020 after the replacement of said box

 

[GRDIESEL]

If you go through all the steering and suspension and don’t find it my recommendation is ball joints. They fixed it for me. The factory ball joints don’t last long especially if you put bigger tires on and push them out. Mine only made it about 35k.

 

[skadax]

Update, death wobble is gone.

I did several things over the weekend, so hard to say what exactly fixed it, but was probably the drag link, once I had the factory drag link off (which getting it out of the pitman arm was a b*tch) it clearly had a lot of play.

I went with Metalcloak HD drag link and HD tie rod. While there I did the Metalcloak sector shaft brace as well (drilling the frame made me slightly nervous but a step up bit worked great).

I took it in for alignment yesterday and now drives perfectly straight, tracks well, there is no bump steer and most importantly no more death wobble.

Question for the group and for @Clayton Off Road my caster angle is 4.7 on all 4 wheels. While I don’t perceive significant issues driving anymore, should I increase the caster? If so, what’s the best way to go about doing that? Would I just adjust the front or rear too? As a reminder I’m a 2020 JTR on the Clayton 2.5 Overland + paired with Falcon SP2 and currently running 35s (plan to go 37s on my next set).

Thanks all.

 

[Hootbro]

@G10

Did you get your issue figured out?

 

[DailyMoparGuy]

I love a good death wobble success story. Truly warms my heart

 

[ShadowsPapa]

I took it in for alignment yesterday and now drives perfectly straight, tracks well, there is no bump steer and most importantly no more death wobble.

Question for the group and for @Clayton Off Road my caster angle is 4.7 on all 4 wheels. While I don’t perceive significant issues driving anymore, should I increase the caster?

Refer back to the part of your quote in bold above - doesn't sound like it's broke to me. 4.7 works. I run a bit less and have zero issues.

I refer back to Red Green saying - "It is ain't broke, you're not trying"

If so, what’s the best way to go about doing that? Would I just adjust the front or rear too?

You don't measure or adjust caster on the rear. That's just not a thing. You adjust for pinion angle IF necessary, depending on the driveshaft you have.
If there's no vibration, certainly don't mess with the rear at this point.
I've never seen anyone even measure caster on the rear. There's no point to it.

 

[skadax]

Refer back to the part of your quote in bold above - doesn't sound like it's broke to me. 4.7 works. I run a bit less and have zero issues.

Thanks ShadowsPapa for the help. I’m all about leaving it alone if ain’t broke. I didn’t know if there was any long term advantage to adding more positive caster even if it’s otherwise running well currently. I think I will just leave it as is and see how it continues to handle.

I've never seen anyone even measure caster on the rear. There's no point to it.

I’m still learning so I appreciate the input, looking again you’re absolutely right - no caster measurements for rear, I was mistaken.

Here’s my printout for reference:

 

[Clayton Off Road]

Update, death wobble is gone.

I did several things over the weekend, so hard to say what exactly fixed it, but was probably the drag link, once I had the factory drag link off (which getting it out of the pitman arm was a b*tch) it clearly had a lot of play.

I went with Metalcloak HD drag link and HD tie rod. While there I did the Metalcloak sector shaft brace as well (drilling the frame made me slightly nervous but a step up bit worked great).

I took it in for alignment yesterday and now drives perfectly straight, tracks well, there is no bump steer and most importantly no more death wobble.

Question for the group and for @Clayton Off Road my caster angle is 4.7 on all 4 wheels. While I don’t perceive significant issues driving anymore, should I increase the caster? If so, what’s the best way to go about doing that? Would I just adjust the front or rear too? As a reminder I’m a 2020 JTR on the Clayton 2.5 Overland + paired with Falcon SP2 and currently running 35s (plan to go 37s on my next set).

Thanks all.

Yes, I would! Unless the steering already feels really good with no wandering and is easy to control, I would definitely bring it to somewhere between 5.5 and 6 degrees for best results!

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