Did an axle swap and now i get death wobble!!?

DLoweinc · 07-19-2003, 07:35 PM

So i bought some axles that were geared the way I wanted

Front dana 30 with a locker

Rear dana 35 both geared 4.88

The d30 was from an XJ so it is a high pinion axle.

After swapping the axles and getting everything back in place, I drove around (loving the gears) and have death wobble around 35-40 mph.

when i took the steering components (draglink, tie rod etc) off of the old axle I didn't move or change their position or lengths, i just pulled the pins and unbolted them, then rebolted to the new (for me) axle.

since the place i had my original post-lift alignment had a 6month warranty, i took it back to them and they adjusted it a bit, but it still wobbles... badly...

my question is... could the new axle require a dropped pitman arm (where the older one didn't)?

what else may be causing it? the jeep was going fine until i did the front axle swap (i drove around after putting the rear in without problems)

any replies are greatly appreciated

EDIT: more info..

i have RE control arms but the stock trackbar.. probably should get a new one (and steering stabilizer)

RockPaws · 07-20-2003, 04:34 PM

It sounds like something is loose. First thought is a worn out or loose track bar. Have someone turn the steering wheel back and forth about an 1/8 of a turn. While that's going on inspect the front steering and suspension. Look for any movement. Replace the part or tighten. That's one of the best ways to find problems.

DLoweinc · 07-21-2003, 04:26 PM

thanks rockpaws.. the steering does feel sloppy

I will check it out.. am i just looking for anything that has some play in it?

tj2kbob · 07-21-2003, 06:29 PM

Look at the frame end of the track bar bushing..if you see play(as someone is moving the wheel) that would be a bad thing. If it's bad, replace it with a good after-market one ie., R.E. for $135 bucks..it's worth it

DLoweinc · 07-21-2003, 09:11 PM

hopefully i'll check this out tomorrow.. thanks bob

Owen · 07-21-2003, 09:50 PM

I am willign to bet my bottom dollar its the trackbar. I have had a relocation bracket on mine for quite some time and I have had death wobble 4 times. well after our run on saturday it happened for the last time. befor eI drive the jeep again I am going to slap an adjustable one on there. the relocaton bracket will not stay put no matter how tight it is. It is simply worn out. So check out what awas said before. also did adjust the toe-in when you did the swap?

Cannonball · 07-22-2003, 01:31 AM

adjusting the toe in is a good plase to start but I would check your caster angle too. if you have positive caster yout tires will never return to center and will fight you when ever you are rolling forward.draw a line from the center of the upper balljoint througn the center of the lower ball joint and to the ground. It should contact the ground ahead of the tire bottom of center. I have found on vehicles with 33-35" tires 8 degrees of caster is a good place to start. if it is a custom axle you may have ends welded on wrong giving you the wrong caster`

DLoweinc · 07-23-2003, 01:04 AM

thanks for the replies.. once i get some time i will check this out

07-20-2003, 04:34 PM	#2
RockPaws Registered User Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Pahrump, NV Posts: 832 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	It sounds like something is loose. First thought is a worn out or loose track bar. Have someone turn the steering wheel back and forth about an 1/8 of a turn. While that's going on inspect the front steering and suspension. Look for any movement. Replace the part or tighten. That's one of the best ways to find problems. __________________ [FONT=Trebuchet MS]01' Jeep TJ (Jeep #5) 3.5 RE Custom SuperFlex, Raingler, Kilby, Currie, Banks, Borla, American Racing, Custom mods, Always more in the works. [URL=http://www.redrock4x4.com][COLOR=Blue]www.redrock4x4.com Rocks![/COLOR][/URL] [URL=www.needhim.org/][COLOR=Blue]Need Him?[/COLOR][/URL][/FONT]

07-21-2003, 04:26 PM	#3
DLoweinc Registered User Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: SF Bay Area, CA Posts: 717 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	thanks rockpaws.. the steering does feel sloppy I will check it out.. am i just looking for anything that has some play in it? __________________ 98 Grand Cherokee... Jack Stands, no front axle... Working seat belts!

07-21-2003, 06:29 PM	#4
tj2kbob Registered User Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 242 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	Look at the frame end of the track bar bushing..if you see play(as someone is moving the wheel) that would be a bad thing. If it's bad, replace it with a good after-market one ie., R.E. for $135 bucks..it's worth it __________________ See the Black Jeep here [url]http://community.webshots.com/user/tj2kbob[/url]

07-21-2003, 09:11 PM	#5
DLoweinc Registered User Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: SF Bay Area, CA Posts: 717 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	hopefully i'll check this out tomorrow.. thanks bob __________________ 98 Grand Cherokee... Jack Stands, no front axle... Working seat belts!

07-21-2003, 09:50 PM	#6
Owen Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 2,829 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	I am willign to bet my bottom dollar its the trackbar. I have had a relocation bracket on mine for quite some time and I have had death wobble 4 times. well after our run on saturday it happened for the last time. befor eI drive the jeep again I am going to slap an adjustable one on there. the relocaton bracket will not stay put no matter how tight it is. It is simply worn out. So check out what awas said before. also did adjust the toe-in when you did the swap? __________________ Smuggler Re-Born.....

07-23-2003, 01:04 AM	#8
DLoweinc Registered User Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: SF Bay Area, CA Posts: 717 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	thanks for the replies.. once i get some time i will check this out __________________ 98 Grand Cherokee... Jack Stands, no front axle... Working seat belts!