Yep,
had the first experience of the death wobble this morning. Twice it had happened to me. The first on a very light traffic road and the second time on an on ramp. It was fun. I really enjoyed it. :banana:
So I guess I get to fix the steering dampener, tie rod ends, ball joints and maybe next weekend UCAs.
Just as a side question, I installed a 4.5" lift about five to six months ago and have experienced no problems until today. Could a partial cause of this be that the suspension has settled down a little and now the trackbar needs adjusting as well?
I can tell by visual inspection the tie rod ends are just about shot. The steering dampener was replaced who knows when, the bushings on the UCAs are going bad and the ball joints, actually the ball joints are the only thing I can't say for sure might need to be replaced. I just figured it would be a good thing to do.
Best way to find out what is worn out or loose is to have someone move the steering wheel back and forth quickly while you are underneeth feeling and looking at all joints. Helps me figure out what is clunking or loose that just a visual inspection cant see. A bad steering dampner wont cause death wobble.
Well, the Jeep has somewhere around 175,000(not for sure odometer doesn't work). The boots around all the joints have been shot for awhile. It probably just all needs replaced anyway. No use in troubleshooting to pinpoint the problem when everything needs repaired. Plus, it's a daily driver. If I think I pinpoint it and just fix one thing at a time, it might take me awhile to finish it.
In addition, I have to replace the front DS as well. It currently is pulled out, but the vibes at 65 mph are gone. And before someone mentions universal joints, already replaced, it is the Spicer joint(ball and socket) that has crapped out. Replace the drive shaft, repair the original, have a spare(maybe to do hack n tap).
Tie rod ends replaced, realigned(driveway style), I have the UCA to put in this weekend. Rolling pretty smooth.
Quick question though. If the front tyres are worn on the outside more than inside due to improper toe in, when this corrected, wouldn't it make a lot more noise due to tyre not sitting flat anymore?
This morning it just seemed to make more noise and a slight vibration in the steering wheel. Wasn't the kind of vibration you get when the tyres are misaligned, but more like knobby tyres. After a tyre rotation, I'll let you know if that takes care of that.
Also, anyone have an extra front driveshaft laying around that they don't need? I have the D30 w/NP231. Kind of don't want to spend the price of a new one plus give up my old one for core charge. Thanks.
I did the alignment, it really isn't that hard. The rotation is going to happen this weekend when it get working on the UCAs. Just thought I'd make sure what I was thinking was correct. Thanks.
I did the alignment, it really isn't that hard. The rotation is going to happen this weekend when it get working on the UCAs. Just thought I'd make sure what I was thinking was correct. Thanks.
Second update,
UCAs on, JKS quickdisconnects, rolling great. Even at 75-80mph, no shimmys or shakes. Now it is riding better than stock. When I get the pictures from my friend of the axle bushing for the UCA on the driver's side, I'll post it here. Pretty bad.
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