Death Wobble

[gregv]

In March 2021, ordered a new, base-level 2021 Willys hard top that developed "death wobble" in December at around 23,000 miles and this stimulated with greater regularity as temperatures dropped. A slight free play may have become detectable in the steering. The onset of the violent side to side vehicle shuddering was unpredictable, appeared to be stimulated by minor road bumps and once it started, only hard braking to bring the vehicle speed below 60 mph would stop it. My Willys is stock, accident free, well-maintained, with factory alloy wheels and Michelin all-season radials with good tire balance and no visible or abnormal wear. I spent 27 years as an engineer in automotive, aerospace and defense and have spent time driving prototype development vehicles and I do have professional driving experience. I filed a complaint with NHTSA and I would encourage other Gladiator owners who experience "death wobble" to do the same because this is not a safe vehicle behavior and sudden loss of control with heavy braking on a highway will get someone killed. My dealer still has the vehicle and is installing a new steering damper as the fix. It is intuitive that this will suppress the wobble start but it is also intuitive that there is a more significant root cause and that is the reason for my filing. https://www.nhtsa.gov

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[TwelveGaugeSage]

Did they go straight to "We will install a steering damper" or did they try to find a loose front end component first? It could be tires, but from what you describe, it sounds like something is likely loose.

Before jumping to a damper, I would have them check/tighten everything in the front end. If that doesn't work, have them try a different set of tires(just swap them from another Jeep). These seem to be the two most common ways of mitigating death wobble from what I have seen. A steering damper definitely feels like a band-aid.

 

[Jaxmax]

Yes something is probably loose in front end, they need to check torques on every bolt and be sure the pitman arm is tight, steering stabilizers help cover up wobble but they should be done after finding the problem, I’ve lived Death Wobble on my company truck it sucks but after they kept putting steering stabilizers on , it came down to new tie rod, and assorted other parts……Jack

 

[gregv]

Did they go straight to "We will install a steering damper" or did they try to find a loose front end component first? It could be tires, but from what you describe, it sounds like something is likely loose.

Before jumping to a damper, I would have them check/tighten everything in the front end. If that doesn't work, have them try a different set of tires(just swap them from another Jeep). These seem to be the two most common ways of mitigating death wobble from what I have seen. A steering damper definitely feels like a band-aid.

I suspect they went straight to the steering damper. When I get this back, I will go over the vehicle and check all links and torques and I will resume this issue with them. Considering that they had the vehicle for a month to get a new axle shaft due to the shaft seal failure (and now a week for this), I'm not very impressed with the product or its repair history so far.

 

[NachoRuby]

I suspect they went straight to the steering damper. When I get this back, I will go over the vehicle and check all links and torques and I will resume this issue with them. Considering that they had the vehicle for a month to get a new axle shaft due to the shaft seal failure (and now a week for this), I'm not very impressed with the product or its repair history so far.

Surprised they kept your vehicle a whole month for the shaft seal repair. Most dealers just have you drive it until the new shaft comes in, and then turn over is only maybe a day once parts arrive.

 

[cb4017]

I suspect they went straight to the steering damper. When I get this back, I will go over the vehicle and check all links and torques and I will resume this issue with them. Considering that they had the vehicle for a month to get a new axle shaft due to the shaft seal failure (and now a week for this), I'm not very impressed with the product or its repair history so far.

I had death wobble on my 08 JKU at about 75,000 miles. Turned out it was a worn drag link along with slightly worn ball joints. In your case with low miles I would look at bolt torque.

The way I found the problem was this. I had the wife sit in the Jeep with the engine running and just turn the top of the steering wheel back and forth a few degrees while I laid in front of the Jeep and observed the link ends. Not a lot. Just enough to put a load on the components in each direction. You can also put your hand on the links/rods and actually feel the click of loose stuff. The worn parts were obvious. Obviously the safety aspects of this can not be stressed enough.

As far as the leaking axle seal I'm also surprised they kept it unless it was a bad leak. They gave mine back and let me drive it until the new axle came in.

 

[Gator]

I had the same problem on my Gladiator, started out light light shimmy, till I went on a trip, went from Florida to NJ as it got colder it got worst going down 95 it was like a death run shaking all over and play in the steering. My Dealer checked it out and found movement in the box and replaced out the steering box and component's. I noticed the original parts were all Aluminum and were replaced with Steel box and parts. There is a service bulletin on this problem I found on this site. Truck drives great now.

 

[amillerr10]

Was at the dealer multiple times for the death wobble. They finally put an aftermarket Fox racing stabilizer on it and it did not do the death wobble after that. went through the same thing with a 2018 Wrangler JL. About a week and a half ago, we got some significant snow. putting it into and out of 4WD had a metal on metal grinding noise. Traded it in for an F150. ill never have another Jepp after having issue with both of them which i bought brand new.

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