It happened to me: Death Wobble after spacer lift. Help!

[audibahn]

I experienced the same symptoms as you after installing the Mopar 2” lift myself. I followed the same torque specs as you posted above and needed to tighten three areas even more: swaybar links, lower control arms (used torque specs plus degrees per service manual), and steering adjustment clamp (spec of 34 ft lbs had some play so i went up to ~60). Fixed the wobble for me but as others stated, there could be many other reasons.

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[Mezak]

I think it could be the tires need to be balanced or the psi to high now.. I say try and take some air out of your tires first

 

[Sigz]

I think it could be the tires need to be balanced or the psi to high now.. I say try and take some air out of your tires first

Thanks for the reply. I’m running SL 285/70/17 at3w falkens and the psi is lower to 33.

 

[Sigz]

I experienced the same symptoms as you after installing the Mopar 2” lift myself. I followed the same torque specs as you posted above and needed to tighten three areas even more: swaybar links, lower control arms (used torque specs plus degrees per service manual), and steering adjustment clamp (spec of 34 ft lbs had some play so i went up to ~60). Fixed the wobble for me but as others stated, there could be many other reasons.

Thanks.

Any advice on the lower control arms? Torque spec PLUS degees? My Torque bar only goes to 160#s.

 

[Bbannongmu]

There are way too many factors to diagnose on the forum. This is an excellent checklist but it can be costly for a shop to spend the time to do all of this. I usually save money and do the diagnostic stuff.

https://www.ironrockoffroad.com/Merchant2/DeathWobbleChecklist.pdf

 

[Sigz]

There are way too many factors to diagnose on the forum. This is an excellent checklist but it can be costly for a shop to spend the time to do all of this. I usually save money and do the diagnostic stuff.

https://www.ironrockoffroad.com/Merchant2/DeathWobbleChecklist.pdf

Thanks.

I mean - here's the thing.

The Jeep was perfectly fine driving before the 2.5 lift was installed.

After the lift was installed, the "wobble" started to happen after hitting a slight bump on the highway.

Anything is possible... But I'm assuming it has to be related to the new parts that were installed:

Spacer Lift:

LCA's:

Font Track Bar:

Rear Track Bar:

Again - something could have happened to another part from my normal driving/working JT - and then has started to fail. But I'm ASSUMING something is wrong with one of these parts....

 

[dylanhack]

If everything was torqued while lifted, try loosening all the torqued bolts while on the ground and then re-torquing them.

 

[Sigz]

What is the best way to Torque a degree?

103 Ft Lbs + 145° (REF 230-250 Ft Lbs)

Do I take the torque wrench and set it at 103# and then... take a breaker bar and move the bolt an additoinal 145 degrees?

Also... Why are Torque values so different. A lot of members here say their LCAs are torqued to 190#.

 

[Charles 236]

If everything was torqued while lifted, try loosening all the torqued bolts while on the ground and then re-torquing them.

Exactly. Many people don't realize that preloading bushings in an unloaded position accelerates wear of the bushings. Also, proper torque values (and angles, where specified) can actually help prevent wear in suspension parts.

 

[Charles 236]

What is the best way to Torque a degree?

103 Ft Lbs + 145° (REF 230-250 Ft Lbs)

Do I take the torque wrench and set it at 103# and then... take a breaker bar and move the bolt an additoinal 145 degrees?

Also... Why are Torque values so different. A lot of members here say their LCAs are torqued to 190#.

I use an angle guage when I need an odd value, like 62 degrees. For something like 90 degrees, I use a quarter turn.

 

[BillyP]

There are way too many factors to diagnose on the forum. This is an excellent checklist but it can be costly for a shop to spend the time to do all of this. I usually save money and do the diagnostic stuff.

https://www.ironrockoffroad.com/Merchant2/DeathWobbleChecklist.pdf

Thanks for posting this for everyone, excellent information!

 

[In3briatedPanda]

ive been battling this scenario since my lift, im at a 6 degree caster and MOST of my death wobble has gone away. I can trigger it on certain roads by doing certain things. even then its not death wobble anymore, my steering wheel oscillates back and forth until i slow down, usually about 10-12 mph and it goes away. my death wobble experience was not a shimy, but an extremely violent vibration that resonates through the whole car. it sounds like my hard top is going to vibrate off.

the alignment was the last thing i checked and i wish i had done it first. Ive been battling mine for months.

25k miles on my jeep. Bought the jeep new and put the lift on it about 500-1k miles in.

 

[Subby1]

Teraflex ball joints fixed mine

 

[Sigz]

Well I went out and checked/re-torqued the:

Front track bar @ 110#

Lower Control Arms @ 190#

Took it for a test drive and still have the same wobble hitting the same bump at 70mph.

Damn.

 

[Wheelin98TJ]

Did you check the front wheels for missing wheel weights?

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