Suspension issues/begging for help

[Andy29847]

I've had BFG KO2 in the past and I hated them. I tried them twice, both times the same results, crap in the wet, scary bad in snow. I don't understand how they get such great reviews, maybe they are a good tire for dry climates, but theres so many better options out there that I'll never consider them or that line of tire again.

Ditto on the KO2. It seemed like there was always one that needed a lot of weight to balance. I used load range c and never felt like they lasted long enough.

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[In3briatedPanda]

Ditto on the KO2. It seemed like there was always one that needed a lot of weight to balance. I used load range c and never felt like they lasted long enough.

my wrangler friends rave them. i specifically bought them due to my wrangler friends. if people like them then great, but im not one of them.

 

[Andy29847]

my wrangler friends rave them. i specifically bought them due to my wrangler friends. if people like them then great, but im not one of them.

I’ve got Toyo AT3s on my Wrangler and Gladiator. I like them a lot.

 

[tysongladiator]

Trackbar bolt was loose at the axle side.
. I’m not sure how, but we loosened every single bolt, retorqued, and remarked.


in the end of this the jeep
got new tires.

2* more caster.
Trackbar bolt at the axle was loose/ Retorqued to specs.

balljoints were diagnosed as good

thank you to every single one of you who provided input. At the end of the day, it’s the same ole story and you all were right.

Thank you, from an exhausted and broke Jeep owner.

Glad you found the issue. That's why on my videos I recommend folks check those first before throwing a bunch on money at it. But... you got new tires so that's a good thing as well.

I also recommend that folks set a maintenance schedule for suspension components just like everything else. And if you wheel a lot, set a schedule more frequently. I mentioned to someone once that I inspect my jeep every time I come off of the trail and they called me crazy. I was like, yea but I would like to find an issue before it becomes a problem, so I'll keep doing what I'm doing.

Anyway, glad you found the issue and your jeep is rolling like it's supposed to.

 

[Wheelin98TJ]

Trackbar bolt was loose at the axle side.
. I’m not sure how, but we loosened every single bolt, retorqued, and remarked.


in the end of this the jeep
got new tires.

2* more caster.
Trackbar bolt at the axle was loose/ Retorqued to specs.

balljoints were diagnosed as good

thank you to every single one of you who provided input. At the end of the day, it’s the same ole story and you all were right.

Thank you, from an exhausted and broke Jeep owner.

The easy way to find something like this is with a dry steering test. Quick back and forth movements of the steering wheel while someone else watches the front end. You'd see the slop at that end of the track bar.

 

[In3briatedPanda]

Glad you found the issue. That's why on my videos I recommend folks check those first before throwing a bunch on money at it. But... you got new tires so that's a good thing as well.

I also recommend that folks set a maintenance schedule for suspension components just like everything else. And if you wheel a lot, set a schedule more frequently. I mentioned to someone once that I inspect my jeep every time I come off of the trail and they called me crazy. I was like, yea but I would like to find an issue before it becomes a problem, so I'll keep doing what I'm doing.

Anyway, glad you found the issue and your jeep is rolling like it's supposed to.

this has been a two year issue on going.

its been two years of throwing money at it and numerous shops working on it. just been a saga that has been frustrating. i can usually fix anything and this one whooped my ass. period.

this is my FIFTH jeep, im not new to the product, lifts, or dw but it was beyond me at this point. i cant thank everyone enough for the insights and patience for posting.

 

[professorkx]

my wrangler friends rave them. i specifically bought them due to my wrangler friends. if people like them then great, but im not one of them.

My last set of BFG tires were replaced with more than 50% tread and still mounted on rims when they went to the new owner of my JK as spares. Good riddance to BFG…Baja Boss AT is just a superior tire…IMHO.

 

[tysongladiator]

this has been a two year issue on going.

its been two years of throwing money at it and numerous shops working on it. just been a saga that has been frustrating. i can usually fix anything and this one whooped my ass. period.

this is my FIFTH jeep, im not new to the product, lifts, or dw but it was beyond me at this point. i cant thank everyone enough for the insights and patience for posting.

Hey. I feel ya. Sometimes learning is harsh. We've all been there at some point.

I had a Ram 1500 with Death wobble. 2 sets of upper control arms from different brands, 1 set of shocks, and a set of tires later, I found the issue. Bad lower control arms. I should have changed those with the uppers but I actually saw bad bushings in the uppers. And because I only visually, not physically inspected the lowers, I thought they were fine.

The good news is that you got it fixed!

 

[WILDHOBO]

Long time member. Multiple jeep owner. First time I legit have exhausted every thing I know.

I own a 2021 JT max tow freedom edition. Lift, wheels, and tires have been on the jeep before its first LOF. Steering kit added at 25k miles. I’m currently at 26k miles. I do not wheel my jeep besides some hill climbs and mud runs. No rock crawling. No visible damage to axles, bushings, arms, nothing I can see and no shop has mentioned anything in two months.

I have a metalcloak true dual 3.5 inch lift. I have adjustable lower control arms. I have the metacloak HD steering upgrade. I love me some MC btw.

I currently run a 315/70r17 112S BFG KO2.

I can not drive my jeep on the interstate. Any step up or step down like a bridge crossing or change in concrete, my jeep goes absolute ape shit. Doesn’t matter in a sweeping corner or a straight line. I had to pull over 8 times from Augusta, ga to Charleston,sc. and just as many on the way back.

my tire pressure was 35psi when it first happened. We were two hours into our trip, no problems. Running 75mph for two hours, no hiccups. We hit some road work an hour outside Charleston, traveling at 65mph and the first occurrence happens. Bridge transfer and the jeep goes nuts. Have to pull over. Get going again and a mile later it happens again. I pull over and drop psi to 30psi. This makes it worse it seems.

took back roads home and stayed 58 or lower and no issues. One time I thought it was going to get away from me but it stopped once I slowed to 40, but the vibrations and aggressive shaking we the same experience as the interstate occurrence. The interstate didn’t stop until I was almost stopped on the shoulder.

Got home and looking over the jeep everything is torqued. All my paint marks are still where they are supposed to be. I’ve had some balance issues with my tires so I take a tread depth gauge to them. Outside shoulders 3/4 on all tires. Middle is 5/6 all tires. Inner shoulder is 10/12 all tires. I’ve been battling this issue for two years so playing with alignment numbers, upgrades, and psi I was not that surprised by the uneven wear. I am surprised the local shop didn’t tell me when they did my alignment.
My caster is 6.2 currently and the shop said it was ‘perfect’.

I can pull my draglink on the passenger side and hear a clunk but I’m told it’s adjusted properly. It feels tight but at the start of turning the wheel or pulling the link, it clunks.

I don’t want to sell my jeep. I want my JT. I need help. I’m lost. I’m on mobile, sorry for typos.
I can provide photos or videos if needed. I’m begging for some guidance. I work at a shop and have access to anything needed.

One thing stands out to me. You just upgraded steering components. I’d like details please. I have my suspicion. What’s your front track bar, and did you install a relocation bracket? What’s your drag link, and is it still bottom mount?

 

[In3briatedPanda]

One thing stands out to me. You just upgraded steering components. I’d like details please. I have my suspicion. What’s your front track bar, and did you install a relocation bracket? What’s your drag link, and is it still bottom mount?

I was having DW issues before and after this install.

yes to relocation of the dampner. I found this install relatively easy. took me an hour. can you dm your suspicion? i very well may have made a mistake. Im holding myself solely responsible for the problems with my jeep.

https://metalcloak.com/jl-wrangler-jt-gladiator-hd-rocksport-steering-system-rubicon-edition.html

 

[Zachanadandy]

my wrangler friends rave them. i specifically bought them due to my wrangler friends. if people like them then great, but im not one of them.

I'm 90% sure that most KO2 fans have never run any other modern AT or RT. They come on the Rubicons and they are better than an LT tire offroad so if that's your only experience I could see being a fan. They are almost as bad in the rain as an MT, they are far worse off road than an MT. But even amongst ATs I think they are at the bottom of the barrel on and off road.

 

[Wheelin98TJ]

Hey. I feel ya. Sometimes learning is harsh. We've all been there at some point.

I had a Ram 1500 with Death wobble. 2 sets of upper control arms from different brands, 1 set of shocks, and a set of tires later, I found the issue. Bad lower control arms. I should have changed those with the uppers but I actually saw bad bushings in the uppers. And because I only visually, not physically inspected the lowers, I thought they were fine.

The good news is that you got it fixed!

The dry steering test I talked about will also show you sloppy control arm bushings. The control arms get overlooked often in death wobble cases. Good catch on your part.

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