Shimmy, wobble, or DW?

gshappell · 08-24-2010, 07:39 AM

I know no one will no for sure without checking out my jeep...but was wondering if anyone could give me an opinion based on these symptoms.

Basically I am fine up to 45mph I believe. Then, anywhere from 45 to 55ish is get shimmy/wobble and can not get out of it untill i go back to 40ish. It doesnt happen every single time though. My tire pressure is a solid 35psi on every tire, but they are all pretty worn and I am getting new tires on Friday with 1.5" spidertrax. Also, my alignment is off.

Also, another symptom although prob unrelated, is when I am braking when doing 55+ there is violent shaking. Guessing that is pads or rotors though.

Appreciate any help...

**Woodchuck** · 08-24-2010, 09:16 AM

You are right...kinda hard to diagnose from your description but I bet it is not DW. Once you have experienced it you will know!!! It is so bad that you will have to pull over to regain your (and the Jeep's) composure. I am betting that if your tires are old and worn and you are out of alignment, that is your problem. Get your new tires on and balanced and get it aligned and give us an update.

**JLC08JK** · 08-24-2010, 09:45 AM

The symptoms that you describe are that of a steering shimmy caused by the out of balance tires and alignment.
The braking affect can only be diagnosed by inspection and could be caused by the first problem.
There is an excellent write-up in the F.A.Q. that gives a full description and diagnosis process. You need to go through the process completely after the new tires are installed to fix any problems that have resulted from the original shimmy.
http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f96/d...bbles-1052221/
Good luck

chevychad · 08-24-2010, 10:09 AM

Sounds like it isn't death wobble to me. You would know it if it was, it would probably scare the poo out of you, and you would want to park it. I'm thinkin since you say the tires are worn and you are getting new ones, it is probably the tires. Get the tires, and get an alignment. As far as the vibration when braking, it is most likely the rotors. Sounds to me like your about to spend money

gshappell · 08-24-2010, 11:03 AM

Thanks everyone... Any reason to hold of on the spacers to help with diagnosing this issue? Never had problems with spacers before but just making sure. Appreciate all the feedback!

SoCalJK · 08-24-2010, 11:33 AM

You'd know if it is the DW for sure. Scares the living #@$% out of you. If the wife is in the Jeep at the same time it is even worse. Sounds like you need to balance the wheels. Check out this video of a Jeep with the DW and you'll see what that is all about. <object style="height: 344px; width: 425px"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/vwiv23dLhMY"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/vwiv23dLhMY" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" width="425" height="344"></object>

As far as spacers go, I'd get the problems resolved first since the spacers will just magnify the problem. I fitted spacers over the weekend when I rotated tires and I can definitely feel more shimmy/feedback via the steering wheel.

jeepcache · 08-24-2010, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoCalJK

You'd know if it is the DW for sure. Scares the living #@$% out of you. If the wife is in the Jeep at the same time it is even worse. Sounds like you need to balance the wheels. Check out this video of a Jeep with the DW and you'll see what that is all about. <object style="height: 344px; width: 425px"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/vwiv23dLhMY"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/vwiv23dLhMY" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" width="425" height="344"></object>

As far as spacers go, I'd get the problems resolved first since the spacers will just magnify the problem. I fitted spacers over the weekend when I rotated tires and I can definitely feel more shimmy/feedback via the steering wheel.

bad link

SoCalJK · 08-24-2010, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeepcache

bad link

Oops. Try this one. YouTube - Death Wobble

jeepcache · 08-24-2010, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoCalJK

Oops. Try this one. YouTube - Death Wobble

holy crap!!!! is this just the rescue green ones

j/k

SoCalJK · 08-24-2010, 01:36 PM

Nope, DW is color blind.

The first time I actually saw a truck on the road get the DW I realised why people got out the way when they saw the Jeep with it.

jeepcache · 08-24-2010, 01:38 PM

man, thats bad. has it been narrowed down to a specific failure?

SoCalJK · 08-24-2010, 01:45 PM

There are many threads on the forum going into the different causes and fixes but basically it can be caused by any number of front suspension/steering components. Worn joints, shocks, alignment etc. In my case it started after installing a lift. Took new shocks and an adjustable track bar to fix.

jeepcache · 08-24-2010, 02:03 PM

jesus how could shocks cause that? thats nuts. kill it with fire lol

**planman** · 08-24-2010, 04:51 PM

http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f96/d...bbles-1052221/

MikeBK · 08-25-2010, 06:44 PM

35 psi is way too much pressure, especially for worn tires. When I picked up my TJ it had 33" BFG mt's and they had 35 psi in them, I test drove this thing all over town and no problem, got em on the highway over 45mph and heated them up increasing the press. and I thought I was going to die. Got the press. down to 27psi and the fest of the ride back from Indiana was uneventful.