[MidniteSquirrel]

stupid stupid projects...

My bro is moving this weekend so I get to putz around Chicago, helping him move all his stuff Saturday. But I have to leave the jeep here in MI because... it's still plagued by deathwobble, and it's getting worse again.

Was fine this morning, but came on a bit strong coming home from work. Been able to control it for the most part for the past few days, thankfully. Going to get a JKS Adj. Track Bar in ASAP now (been lazy about ordering it), but in the meantime... thinking when I get back from Chicago on Sunday, going to go over the entire front end.

The reasoning is that the deathwobble was not an issue after the current lift until about 4 days into it. This tells me that something is basically loose, or shot in there and the problem may be bigger than just needing the trackbar (although that should help a lot)

Balljoints were just done, so should be good. Shocks are still the stock ones until I get a BPE in or bar pins. They definitely could be contributing. Need to test the steering and see if there's any play anywhere.

Funny part is, driving in 4FT still gets rid of it almost entirely. Before the SS and the balljoints, I couldn't go above 25 without the DW. Now it's about 45mph in 2WD. So at least it's still driveable. Heck, it's still somewhat driveable in 2WD. The only reason I'm a bit anal about it right now is that I'm driving the 8 hours up to MTU with it right before the 4th. So has to survive the trip. Once it's there, I've got a month to fix it

aaah, the fun of Jeeps.

[98zjdave]

Yeah, but what fun would you have driving something that doesnt break or steer itself uncontrolably into a flip off the road at 60+ mph?

[JayIV]

Once again, sounds like a brake caliper is siezing up on you for some reason.

Other than that, check your TREs, your caster angle (should be fine though, mine was at your height), possibly the steering box.

[anticrombie]

It's not going to be your shocks. I have never once heard this being an issue, and if you think about it, it really isn't logical that shocks cause it. Have someone turn the steering wheel while it's on the ground and look for anything loose. My bet is that it's the Drag link, Tie rod, or trackbar. Just muscle those all as tight as you can get them. Check the tie rod ends as well, if they're torn and crappy looking, replace them. They're only 40 or so bucks a piece.

[JayIV]

Yea, but the fact that 4WD PT somewhat aleviates the problem leaves me to believe one brake caliper is siezing up.

[ajmorell]

Mine did a similar thing and it was the control arm bushings. I never fully understood why in 4FT it would go away, or how that necessarily would affect the front CAs (other than adding some "pull"). I would check the trackbar, tie rod ends, & drag link before anything else. Fourth on the list would be CA bushings. I highly doubt a brake caliper is siezing, and can almost guarantee its not the shocks. Not sure where in MI you live, but if you're anywhere near GR let me know, I can help you diagnose it if you want. I will also be up around Grayling this weekend if that helps any.

[MidniteSquirrel]

not PT, FT. AS in the AWD option that selec-trac has

The reason I brought up shocks is that, for whatever reason, when DW comes up, it sometimes gets mentioned. I'd rather check something and rule it out than not, even if it is highly unlikely.

The TRE and Tie Rod stuff sounds plausible. Either way, I just need to get under there to check. The reason I thing the 4WD FT helps it is that the applied power steadies it, so whatever's loose/misaligned can't muck it up as much.

[MidniteSquirrel]

Sup Andy? Actually, I'm around Fenton, so I'm East side near the beautiful Flint area. The only city to fight crime with urban blight. Bit of a drive from GR. BUT! I do luck out. Unlimited Offroad Centers opened up 4 minutes from my house in May. So if I can't figure it out, possibly might have them take a look at it.

Although I'm a bit upset with them. They wanted to get a JKS Adj. Track Bar in for me, but come to learn... they're so new they forgot to make an account with JKS yet. Silly kids, they haven't had the fun of dealing with WJ's just yet. I think I may be educating them

(For WJ's, JKS seems to be one of the only makers of an adjustable trackbar that fits. I know RE doesn't have one at least)

[MidniteSquirrel]

Huh, well, I can have a guess as to why I've got it. I can literally see my axle off-center by an inch

But, steering seems pretty tight. Need to check the CA's still. More time this weekend to work on it.

[JayIV]

My axle was off center by about an inch when I had that combo as well. Never made a difference. Still aligned right and tracked straight.

When I removed all the stock suspension I realized that the Pass side UCA bushing was COMPLETELY shot. I attributed my DW to that.

[MidniteSquirrel]

how soon after you used the combo did you see your DW develop? Mine took a few days to become fullblown DW.

[JayIV]

4 months at least.

[ajmorell]

Mine took about a month to progress to the point that I couldn't go above about 45 mph. I would imagine that as DW occurs it makes bad bushings worse.