Death Wobble + Loose steering?

dummerdrummer · 07-06-2009, 01:59 PM

I have had a HORRIBLE case of death wobble for the past few months, I have checked track bar, it is good, and tight, no play at all. I replaced steering stabilizer, helps a little bit, but I still get death wobble. my steering is very loose, and alignment shops say that my Jeep cant be aligned because my suspension or something. My steering has alot of play in it, and im wondering if this has something to do with my death wobble, and how to fix it!? I cant go faster than 35, or else it wobbles, and I must slow down to about 15mph

**Jerry Bransford** · 07-06-2009, 02:02 PM

You need to find out what is loose. Try watching your TJ's front-end for any improper looseness by having someone turn the steering back & forth as you look for anything moving that should not move. Be wary that some things will have rotational play like where the tie rod attaches to the steering knuckles but there should be no in-out or side-to-side play anywhere.

**mrblaine** · 07-06-2009, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dummerdrummer

I have had a HORRIBLE case of death wobble for the past few months, I have checked track bar, it is good, and tight, no play at all. I replaced steering stabilizer, helps a little bit, but I still get death wobble. my steering is very loose, and alignment shops say that my Jeep cant be aligned because my suspension or something. My steering has alot of play in it, and im wondering if this has something to do with my death wobble, and how to fix it!? I cant go faster than 35, or else it wobbles, and I must slow down to about 15mph

Here's the number 1 rule of DW. If you don't fix it in the first few instances it occurs, then don't bother. Go ahead and replace everything because DW is so violent that it destroys the good stuff as fast as you can replace it.

Mini-Me26 · 07-06-2009, 02:44 PM

I call track bar! I'm giving 6:1 odds on drag link.

Sxinc · 07-06-2009, 02:47 PM

I had this happen then i fixed my tie-rod end

**Jerry Bransford** · 07-06-2009, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mini-Me26

I call track bar! I'm giving 6:1 odds on drag link.

Which is it, track bar or drag link?

dummerdrummer · 07-15-2009, 10:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jerry Bransford

Which is it, track bar or drag link?

What's a drag link??

**MY3UKAHT** · 07-22-2009, 11:38 PM

I actually found my rear sway bar mount loose the other day while doing a tire rotation. I'm still not 100% sure, but DW is gone. Now I feel more of just wheels needing balancing and alignment.

Mini-Me26 · 07-23-2009, 04:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MY3UKAHT

I actually found my rear sway bar mount loose the other day while doing a tire rotation. I'm still not 100% sure, but DW is gone. Now I feel more of just wheels needing balancing and alignment.

Rear sway bar wouldn't cause DW.

dawnskaybug · 07-23-2009, 04:58 AM

Ball joints???
Solved my last problem but I fix it and it comes back every 3 months... But I dont drive over 25MPH on it ,...

03rubiconMG · 07-23-2009, 05:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dummerdrummer

What's a drag link??

The drag link attaches to the pitman arm and then goes to the front right tire and the tie rod connects to that and then to the front left tire.

my friends drag link had a ton of play where it attached to the pitman arm.

Gopats · 07-25-2009, 08:23 PM

i have the same thing going on with my 93 yj. I have a 4 inch suspension lift. the jeep pulls to the right, lots of play in the steering wheel.

My first guess is that it needs al alignment.

I think I need to swap out my sway bay disconects. the sway bar doest sit level, its angled down so the disconects can reach / be connected... is this bad?

Any ideas?