Serious Death Wobble
 

Hello, just got 93 laredo. 81 thous miles and front end shakes real bad at highway speeds which requires serious braking to get the jeep out of it. Twice now I have had the drivers of the vehicles behind me during this stressful time, advised me that they can visibly see the front rims shaking,wobbling,etc. Rotated tires, 2 pre purchase inspections by qualified and good reputation shops. Both stating that all ok. I knew to get Lubricos Warranty, despite two thumbs up. It just feels vague when it comes to steering too. I'm an old-school chevy gal, fairly mechanically knowledgable < except electrical, lol > after having muscle cars most of my life. I'm used to expecting the unexpected but this .....scares the livin daylights outta me!!!. The tires, Wranglers 235 75 on 15's. Came with nice chrome American Racing rims, which look a little offset. Thank you for taking the time to read this, replies much appreciated. Happy Cruising

Re: Serious Death Wobble
 

With the jeep idling reach inside the vehicle and rotate the steering back and forth. What you are looking for is the body moving side to side over the tires? Sounds like a bad track bar on the front suspension.

Might not be but easy to check. No tools required.

Re: Serious Death Wobble
 

Check all your rubber bushings in the front end, track bar loose/ worn and a worn out steering stabalizer are the "usual" main culprits here. Check the ball joints for play and especially the pitman arm.
Also check to see if your steering box isn't coming loose from the frame rail.

Re: Serious Death Wobble
 

I could explain it all to you but I found a very helpful post on jeepforum that explains very well what can cause DW and/or shimmy.
there is also an interesting video at the end of the post which demonstrates Death Wobble.Take a gander at this post and it may answer several of your questions.(note-I could have copy/pasted the whole thing and taken credit for it,but I'm not that type of person :) )http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f96/d...bbles-1052221/

Re: Serious Death Wobble
 

Thank you for your prompt reply, much appreciated.....Happy Cruising, Bitzi, Vic,B.C.

Re: Serious Death Wobble
 

since posting.....it is....u guesed it/ another bad set of badyear tires. Wrangler. I'm sure there are lots of faithful gy lovers but I have done days of research and I , myself will never ever get gy tires. Came with Jeep. nice looking tires, aggressive tread, lousy soft compound, slipped belts and bad cupping. With over 90 tread left. Too bad, no warranty on gy tires?

Re: Serious Death Wobble
 

If your the original purchaser there should be some kind of pro-rated warranty. Never been a fan of GY, like my Pirrelli's and Firestone's more.

Re: Serious Death Wobble
 

I must disagree on any kind of warrantee on the tire rating of LT for offroading purposes, they just don't want to pay out.. only one I ever found was Walmart had some years back "Super something I bought 4 at 100 buck each as they were being faised out.. there was a free rotation every 6 mos and they were warranted against road hazards, they don't have this size anymore probably was costing them too much...they were a very good tire.

Re: Serious Death Wobble
 

thx, checking into it now....90 percent tread left, not original owner but dealer may help anyway. May. Wrangler Silent Armour = many unhappy users. The reviews and horror stories are everywhere. I have learned so much in the past few weeks.about tires, their ratings, variances, tolerances but most of all, as I stated the proof is in the people. Yes, some folk do not have clue how to maintain and take care of tires once they purchase them.SOOO many different dealers and tire "techs" have the same things to say about these tires. Inability to balance, serious sidewall defects and premature treadwear were most common. Delamination, cupping and abnormal blowouts were also brought up. Keeping in mind that my use is mostly asphalt, gravel and light off-roading. Thanks again for the replies, much appreciated.....now if someone could get back to me about those Jeepscanada stickers????lol

Re: Serious Death Wobble
 

I must buy new tires in the fall and I too have been researching the crap out of what type of tires I want to put on.After all my research-this is for the budget-minded like me,I have decided on BFG all terrain T/A KO's.I've read and heard so many good things about them that I've decided that's what I'm getting.
I found a link with 2 possibilities..check it out,it might help you.
Although I'm thinking of going to 32's.

Re: Serious Death Wobble
 

I have had many BFG's passenger and lt. Upon doing my Goodyear Silent Armour research, quite a few previous owners of BFG wished they had never changed. Once again, it really is all about your applications. The latest on the death wobble....all four tires have been rebalanced,etc by Fountain tire, a GY dealer, apparently no cupping. The weights kept falling off the wheels so they used the stick on type.UUUUUGH!!! Alot of the time, techs try not to put weights on the outside of nice chrome or aluminum wheels, often only on the inside. Apparently, this does not always work. After the completely revised balancing today a huge diff indeed!!! she did not shimmy EXCEPT it felt like it may have wanted to in the same situation as before....going downhill at about 80ks slowly breaking to a stop. No brake issues, rotors mint,etc. The balancing and the nice drive were a huge improvement. I felt so deflated...lol...had the speed up to 110ks and all was nice, smooth, no steer shake. I'm not sure what the next step is. Seen 3 different and very qualified tire techs. Any ideas??

Re: Serious Death Wobble
 

ps....I think u have made a wise decision with your pick, just maintain them and all should be well.

Re: Serious Death Wobble
 

I had the very same problem with my '97 ZJ and it was definitely the steering stabilizer bar. As soon as it was replaced, the steering was fine. I have a set of Goodrich Long Trails on mine and they weren't even rotated at the time, so it definitely was not tire related.
Hope you get yours solved.
Brian

Re: Serious Death Wobble
 

Did your problem get solved? or are you still death wobbling down the road??

Re: Serious Death Wobble
 

Thanks again 4 the responses. Yes and no....Since proper balancing of the tires the death wobble has not happened....but I feel that when I am coming down a gradual hill on a highway doin 80-90 ks, if I slowly break it feels like it wants to shimmy but I know what to do to PREVENT IT from happening. This is crucial. The link graciously provided on this thread, by one of our popular and no doubt handsome...lol..members. The rotors are mint, it is not that kind of worn, warped rotor break feel, it just happens at that particular time. Gosh, I am making sense, right? Since I feel there is too much play in the steering, as well it is most likely, a component listed by other members on this thread. I really have to just jack it up myself and start by making sure everything is torqued properly, not worn etc. Although, a very skilled mechanic did a inspection for me before purchasing, I am thinkin, it was mostly visual. I did request him to check steer box for me. I only had 3 episodes of fairly freaky death wobble, I'm really hoping that no damage has been done. I only drive one minute to work, everything is close and the Jeep is mint otherwise, with only 82,000miles. Jet black, to boot...lol. Any advice on inherent weaknesses relating to 93 GC, 318, I believe the Magnum motor, is this possible? I can run the block numbers? Appreciate the help. Happy 4x4in. :3gears:

Re: Serious Death Wobble
 

My Jeep WJ 2000 developed serious and I mean serious death wobble (no shimmy for me) after I had all the front and back ball joints changed, along with new front bearings, axles, and new track bar, then I had the Jeep aligned. Whamo I developed Death Wobble, scared the hell out of me! Brought it back to garage, and aignment shop, one said my shocks are finished, the other said shocks and control arms... I said ********, doesn't make sense. I took matters into my own hands and did some research. I did the test mentioned prior about checking underneath while someone moved the steering back and forth and sure enough the new Track Bar was very loose! It turns out all the parts where Moog, except the Track Bar (Chinese knock off), the rubber was too soft and caused death wobble. I purchased new bushings (Hard Durometer bushings) from Kevin's off road, and changed them myself in the driveway. The holes for the bolts where also slightly rounded, so I put in bigger bolts.

PROBLEM SOLVED!!! Jeep feels amazingly tight now! no sign of Death Wobble.

Check your for play underneath, it's an easy way to know. :banana:

Re: Serious Death Wobble
 

Wow...thanks 4 taking the time out to offer your input. Yes, I have that useful info about the play, the part I'm a little vague about is while the steering wheel is being turned back and forth what excactly am I looking for? This week, for sure, I am starting my exploratory venture, to figure out what component is faulty. Like I said, two seperate reputable shops could not find the source, other than the Kevlar Wranglers, 235 75 15s. The horrendous smooth weights that are glued to my nice looking chromed rims is only masking a serious problem. The wobble could happen but I recognize what causes it and avoid. Breaking downhill, at about 80-90ks would surely bring it about. Since the amazing reply on this thread about the front end components along with what a Death Wobble is I have learned ALOT. Ten years ago it was how to get every xtra horsepower out of my musclecars, now, it is how to keep my 4x4 "tight"...lol. I still do believe that it is steering part and I will recheck. By the way.....does anyone know about the Magnum motor in '93? and is there still block numbers stamped onto motors? Thanks Bitzi

Re: Serious Death Wobble
 

Your looking for play in the steering components of particularly the Track Bar. Read more here: http://www.kevinsoffroad.com/techart...athwobble.html

Best of luck, I know it's annoying and dangerous as hell.

Grandwobbler

Re: Serious Death Wobble
 

Hello again....would love to see some info regarding full size truck tires. I know, it's a Jeep forum but I have a newer set of Silenr Armor/Goodyear on my '93GC 235/75/15 with a 3.5 ish off set rims. I, myself do not like Goodyear Tires, they came with the Jeep when I purchased it. We all have our faves. I am trying to advise someone against the costly purchase of a set of Goodyear Silent Armour 275 65 18, supposedly 10 ply. He has a 2006 F-150 XLT Supercrew wanting new boots and some leafspring upgrades,helpers,etc since he occasionally tows a relatively heavy trailer for a half ton. The stock BF G's are still on the truck but garbage now. Please,let me know your views and opinions on decent truck tires that would suit his needs. More plys, sidewall strength? I am fairly familiar with the basic ratings on tires with regards to temp, etc, but I would like to know more about weight capacity,what the plys are made of ? How many plys should he be considering? Thank u in advance, again, for any advice.... P.S. Nitto or Dueler any good ?

Re: Serious Death Wobble
 

Have him call someplace like Kal-Tire, they will know what the proper rating should be. Also let them know the wieght of the trailer so that can be taken into account.
I know my dad runs 10 ply goodyears on his F-350 crewcab dually that he uses to pull a 28' fifth wheel or a 38' cabin cruiser.

Re: Serious Death Wobble
 

From the spec's on the BFG, the KM2 with it sidewall thread makes for better rock climbing on wet days but the thread doesn't last as long as the KO. I have a tire now with the thread on the sides which helps big time when climbing slippery rocks,but they are wearing fast (Maxxis Big Horn a 6 ply tire) good tire no doubt about it.We should start a thread on tires to see what people are running. sizes, brand names, and most important comments. would make for a good reference.

Re: Serious Death Wobble
 

Ahoy Beserker, I run BFG All Terrain T/A KO's and would recommend them highly. They're quiet on pavement and grip great in wet weather. Off road trailing in Michigan's UP, (the trails are packed sand and rock), I didn't even run in 4 wheel, grip was so sure footed, even when the wheels we 3/4 underwater in places. First set of BFG's I've ever owned and they are light years ahead of the stock Wranglers that came with the TJ. The Wranglers are notorious for losing their grip in wet weather, either breaking loose when accelerating or locking up when braking.