06 Jeep Wrangler X - Problem with Shimmy in Steering Wheel....
 

Hi all,

I have a new "06 Jeep Wrangler X" (Great Jeep!) with a grand total of
6192 miles.

When I drive about 60 mph on the freeway, the steering wheel wants to
"shimmy", i.e. turn to the left, then to the right and vice versa. I
have to hang tightly on this steering wheel or slow down to about 50
mph. I could really end up in the next lane, to the right or left.
It's really noticeable with the cross winds or on windy days. Slower
speeds on the regular city streets, it's OK.

I had it to the dealership last month and they test drove it and they
found nothing wrong. I also use this same jeep, to tow behind my RV.

Do I need more air pressure in the two front tires of this jeep, or
what else could be going on here????

There is a NHTSA ODI - Technical Service Bulletin out there and I'm
going to follow up on it.
Make : JEEP
Model : WRANGLER
Year : 2006
Manufacturer : DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION
Service Bulletin Num : 1900306
Date of Bulletin: AUG 30, 2006
NHTSA Item Number: 10020334
Component: STEERING
Summary: STEERING SHIMMY. *TT

Has anyone experience this same problem, if so...how did you solve
it??

Thanks,
: -)
Larryariz

Re: 06 Jeep Wrangler X - Problem with Shimmy in Steering Wheel....
 

It is not nice to have 'The Death Wobble' in a new Jeep! That's nasty.

I would check the track bar ends out closely first. One way is to sit
and line up something on the ground with a crease in the hood, then turn
the steering side to side. If the nose of the Jeep wiggles side to side
with the steering, you have track bar issues. One end at the axle is a
bushing, the other end at the frame is a 'tie rod end'. Either can be
sloppy.

Did they check the toe in? That can cause wobble, but not the 'tacking
into the wind' a loose part causes unless it is way out.

You can check that yourself with a tape measure. I measure from the
tire seam on one side to the seam on the other side's tire in the front
of the tire and then do the same at the back of the tire as far up as
you can go on each and see the measurement. It should be slightly less
across the front, 1/8" or so.

Does the steering come back to straight after a turn or do you have to
pull it back?

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's - Gone to the rust pile...
Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
Jan/06 http://www.imagestation.com/album/pi...?id=2115147590
(More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)

larryariz wrote:
> Hi all,
>
> I have a new "06 Jeep Wrangler X" (Great Jeep!) with a grand total of
> 6192 miles.
>
> When I drive about 60 mph on the freeway, the steering wheel wants to
> "shimmy", i.e. turn to the left, then to the right and vice versa. I
> have to hang tightly on this steering wheel or slow down to about 50
> mph. I could really end up in the next lane, to the right or left.
> It's really noticeable with the cross winds or on windy days. Slower
> speeds on the regular city streets, it's OK.
>
> I had it to the dealership last month and they test drove it and they
> found nothing wrong. I also use this same jeep, to tow behind my RV.
>
> Do I need more air pressure in the two front tires of this jeep, or
> what else could be going on here????
>
> There is a NHTSA ODI - Technical Service Bulletin out there and I'm
> going to follow up on it.
> Make : JEEP
> Model : WRANGLER
> Year : 2006
> Manufacturer : DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION
> Service Bulletin Num : 1900306
> Date of Bulletin: AUG 30, 2006
> NHTSA Item Number: 10020334
> Component: STEERING
> Summary: STEERING SHIMMY. *TT
>
> Has anyone experience this same problem, if so...how did you solve
> it??
>
> Thanks,
> : -)
> Larryariz
>

Re: 06 Jeep Wrangler X - Problem with Shimmy in Steering Wheel....
 

It is not nice to have 'The Death Wobble' in a new Jeep! That's nasty.

I would check the track bar ends out closely first. One way is to sit
and line up something on the ground with a crease in the hood, then turn
the steering side to side. If the nose of the Jeep wiggles side to side
with the steering, you have track bar issues. One end at the axle is a
bushing, the other end at the frame is a 'tie rod end'. Either can be
sloppy.

Did they check the toe in? That can cause wobble, but not the 'tacking
into the wind' a loose part causes unless it is way out.

You can check that yourself with a tape measure. I measure from the
tire seam on one side to the seam on the other side's tire in the front
of the tire and then do the same at the back of the tire as far up as
you can go on each and see the measurement. It should be slightly less
across the front, 1/8" or so.

Does the steering come back to straight after a turn or do you have to
pull it back?

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's - Gone to the rust pile...
Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
Jan/06 http://www.imagestation.com/album/pi...?id=2115147590
(More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)

larryariz wrote:
> Hi all,
>
> I have a new "06 Jeep Wrangler X" (Great Jeep!) with a grand total of
> 6192 miles.
>
> When I drive about 60 mph on the freeway, the steering wheel wants to
> "shimmy", i.e. turn to the left, then to the right and vice versa. I
> have to hang tightly on this steering wheel or slow down to about 50
> mph. I could really end up in the next lane, to the right or left.
> It's really noticeable with the cross winds or on windy days. Slower
> speeds on the regular city streets, it's OK.
>
> I had it to the dealership last month and they test drove it and they
> found nothing wrong. I also use this same jeep, to tow behind my RV.
>
> Do I need more air pressure in the two front tires of this jeep, or
> what else could be going on here????
>
> There is a NHTSA ODI - Technical Service Bulletin out there and I'm
> going to follow up on it.
> Make : JEEP
> Model : WRANGLER
> Year : 2006
> Manufacturer : DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION
> Service Bulletin Num : 1900306
> Date of Bulletin: AUG 30, 2006
> NHTSA Item Number: 10020334
> Component: STEERING
> Summary: STEERING SHIMMY. *TT
>
> Has anyone experience this same problem, if so...how did you solve
> it??
>
> Thanks,
> : -)
> Larryariz
>

Re: 06 Jeep Wrangler X - Problem with Shimmy in Steering Wheel....
 

It is not nice to have 'The Death Wobble' in a new Jeep! That's nasty.

I would check the track bar ends out closely first. One way is to sit
and line up something on the ground with a crease in the hood, then turn
the steering side to side. If the nose of the Jeep wiggles side to side
with the steering, you have track bar issues. One end at the axle is a
bushing, the other end at the frame is a 'tie rod end'. Either can be
sloppy.

Did they check the toe in? That can cause wobble, but not the 'tacking
into the wind' a loose part causes unless it is way out.

You can check that yourself with a tape measure. I measure from the
tire seam on one side to the seam on the other side's tire in the front
of the tire and then do the same at the back of the tire as far up as
you can go on each and see the measurement. It should be slightly less
across the front, 1/8" or so.

Does the steering come back to straight after a turn or do you have to
pull it back?

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's - Gone to the rust pile...
Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
Jan/06 http://www.imagestation.com/album/pi...?id=2115147590
(More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)

larryariz wrote:
> Hi all,
>
> I have a new "06 Jeep Wrangler X" (Great Jeep!) with a grand total of
> 6192 miles.
>
> When I drive about 60 mph on the freeway, the steering wheel wants to
> "shimmy", i.e. turn to the left, then to the right and vice versa. I
> have to hang tightly on this steering wheel or slow down to about 50
> mph. I could really end up in the next lane, to the right or left.
> It's really noticeable with the cross winds or on windy days. Slower
> speeds on the regular city streets, it's OK.
>
> I had it to the dealership last month and they test drove it and they
> found nothing wrong. I also use this same jeep, to tow behind my RV.
>
> Do I need more air pressure in the two front tires of this jeep, or
> what else could be going on here????
>
> There is a NHTSA ODI - Technical Service Bulletin out there and I'm
> going to follow up on it.
> Make : JEEP
> Model : WRANGLER
> Year : 2006
> Manufacturer : DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION
> Service Bulletin Num : 1900306
> Date of Bulletin: AUG 30, 2006
> NHTSA Item Number: 10020334
> Component: STEERING
> Summary: STEERING SHIMMY. *TT
>
> Has anyone experience this same problem, if so...how did you solve
> it??
>
> Thanks,
> : -)
> Larryariz
>

Re: 06 Jeep Wrangler X - Problem with Shimmy in Steering Wheel....
 

It is not nice to have 'The Death Wobble' in a new Jeep! That's nasty.

I would check the track bar ends out closely first. One way is to sit
and line up something on the ground with a crease in the hood, then turn
the steering side to side. If the nose of the Jeep wiggles side to side
with the steering, you have track bar issues. One end at the axle is a
bushing, the other end at the frame is a 'tie rod end'. Either can be
sloppy.

Did they check the toe in? That can cause wobble, but not the 'tacking
into the wind' a loose part causes unless it is way out.

You can check that yourself with a tape measure. I measure from the
tire seam on one side to the seam on the other side's tire in the front
of the tire and then do the same at the back of the tire as far up as
you can go on each and see the measurement. It should be slightly less
across the front, 1/8" or so.

Does the steering come back to straight after a turn or do you have to
pull it back?

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's - Gone to the rust pile...
Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
Jan/06 http://www.imagestation.com/album/pi...?id=2115147590
(More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)

larryariz wrote:
> Hi all,
>
> I have a new "06 Jeep Wrangler X" (Great Jeep!) with a grand total of
> 6192 miles.
>
> When I drive about 60 mph on the freeway, the steering wheel wants to
> "shimmy", i.e. turn to the left, then to the right and vice versa. I
> have to hang tightly on this steering wheel or slow down to about 50
> mph. I could really end up in the next lane, to the right or left.
> It's really noticeable with the cross winds or on windy days. Slower
> speeds on the regular city streets, it's OK.
>
> I had it to the dealership last month and they test drove it and they
> found nothing wrong. I also use this same jeep, to tow behind my RV.
>
> Do I need more air pressure in the two front tires of this jeep, or
> what else could be going on here????
>
> There is a NHTSA ODI - Technical Service Bulletin out there and I'm
> going to follow up on it.
> Make : JEEP
> Model : WRANGLER
> Year : 2006
> Manufacturer : DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION
> Service Bulletin Num : 1900306
> Date of Bulletin: AUG 30, 2006
> NHTSA Item Number: 10020334
> Component: STEERING
> Summary: STEERING SHIMMY. *TT
>
> Has anyone experience this same problem, if so...how did you solve
> it??
>
> Thanks,
> : -)
> Larryariz
>

Re: 06 Jeep Wrangler X - Problem with Shimmy in Steering Wheel....
 

Hi Larry,
Tell Daimler to fix it: http://alldata.com/TSB/04/060406d2.html
Tire may just have mud caked on it causing it to be out of balance. Or
you hit something breaking the tire carcass, causing a bubble, throwing it
out of round, Or it just could be a bad tire casing that distorts at
different speeds, causing a "death wobble"
If you lifted it than your castor alignment is out of whack with the
type of coil spring suspension Daimler uses, and you just live with. Maybe
buy stronger steering stabilizer/dampener, or a Real Jeep with leaf springs:
http://----------.com/TJleafSprings/
God Bless America, Bill O|||||||O
mailto:-------------------- http://www.----------.com/


"larryariz" <larryariz@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1189622467.626884.314530@y42g2000hsy.googlegr oups.com...
> Hi all,
>
> I have a new "06 Jeep Wrangler X" (Great Jeep!) with a grand total of
> 6192 miles.
>
> When I drive about 60 mph on the freeway, the steering wheel wants to
> "shimmy", i.e. turn to the left, then to the right and vice versa. I
> have to hang tightly on this steering wheel or slow down to about 50
> mph. I could really end up in the next lane, to the right or left.
> It's really noticeable with the cross winds or on windy days. Slower
> speeds on the regular city streets, it's OK.
>
> I had it to the dealership last month and they test drove it and they
> found nothing wrong. I also use this same jeep, to tow behind my RV.
>
> Do I need more air pressure in the two front tires of this jeep, or
> what else could be going on here????
>
> There is a NHTSA ODI - Technical Service Bulletin out there and I'm
> going to follow up on it.
> Make : JEEP
> Model : WRANGLER
> Year : 2006
> Manufacturer : DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION
> Service Bulletin Num : 1900306
> Date of Bulletin: AUG 30, 2006
> NHTSA Item Number: 10020334
> Component: STEERING
> Summary: STEERING SHIMMY. *TT
>
> Has anyone experience this same problem, if so...how did you solve
> it??
>
> Thanks,
> : -)
> Larryariz
>



--
Posted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com

Re: 06 Jeep Wrangler X - Problem with Shimmy in Steering Wheel....
 

Hi Larry,
Tell Daimler to fix it: http://alldata.com/TSB/04/060406d2.html
Tire may just have mud caked on it causing it to be out of balance. Or
you hit something breaking the tire carcass, causing a bubble, throwing it
out of round, Or it just could be a bad tire casing that distorts at
different speeds, causing a "death wobble"
If you lifted it than your castor alignment is out of whack with the
type of coil spring suspension Daimler uses, and you just live with. Maybe
buy stronger steering stabilizer/dampener, or a Real Jeep with leaf springs:
http://----------.com/TJleafSprings/
God Bless America, Bill O|||||||O
mailto:-------------------- http://www.----------.com/


"larryariz" <larryariz@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1189622467.626884.314530@y42g2000hsy.googlegr oups.com...
> Hi all,
>
> I have a new "06 Jeep Wrangler X" (Great Jeep!) with a grand total of
> 6192 miles.
>
> When I drive about 60 mph on the freeway, the steering wheel wants to
> "shimmy", i.e. turn to the left, then to the right and vice versa. I
> have to hang tightly on this steering wheel or slow down to about 50
> mph. I could really end up in the next lane, to the right or left.
> It's really noticeable with the cross winds or on windy days. Slower
> speeds on the regular city streets, it's OK.
>
> I had it to the dealership last month and they test drove it and they
> found nothing wrong. I also use this same jeep, to tow behind my RV.
>
> Do I need more air pressure in the two front tires of this jeep, or
> what else could be going on here????
>
> There is a NHTSA ODI - Technical Service Bulletin out there and I'm
> going to follow up on it.
> Make : JEEP
> Model : WRANGLER
> Year : 2006
> Manufacturer : DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION
> Service Bulletin Num : 1900306
> Date of Bulletin: AUG 30, 2006
> NHTSA Item Number: 10020334
> Component: STEERING
> Summary: STEERING SHIMMY. *TT
>
> Has anyone experience this same problem, if so...how did you solve
> it??
>
> Thanks,
> : -)
> Larryariz
>



--
Posted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com

Re: 06 Jeep Wrangler X - Problem with Shimmy in Steering Wheel....
 

Hi Larry,
Tell Daimler to fix it: http://alldata.com/TSB/04/060406d2.html
Tire may just have mud caked on it causing it to be out of balance. Or
you hit something breaking the tire carcass, causing a bubble, throwing it
out of round, Or it just could be a bad tire casing that distorts at
different speeds, causing a "death wobble"
If you lifted it than your castor alignment is out of whack with the
type of coil spring suspension Daimler uses, and you just live with. Maybe
buy stronger steering stabilizer/dampener, or a Real Jeep with leaf springs:
http://----------.com/TJleafSprings/
God Bless America, Bill O|||||||O
mailto:-------------------- http://www.----------.com/


"larryariz" <larryariz@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1189622467.626884.314530@y42g2000hsy.googlegr oups.com...
> Hi all,
>
> I have a new "06 Jeep Wrangler X" (Great Jeep!) with a grand total of
> 6192 miles.
>
> When I drive about 60 mph on the freeway, the steering wheel wants to
> "shimmy", i.e. turn to the left, then to the right and vice versa. I
> have to hang tightly on this steering wheel or slow down to about 50
> mph. I could really end up in the next lane, to the right or left.
> It's really noticeable with the cross winds or on windy days. Slower
> speeds on the regular city streets, it's OK.
>
> I had it to the dealership last month and they test drove it and they
> found nothing wrong. I also use this same jeep, to tow behind my RV.
>
> Do I need more air pressure in the two front tires of this jeep, or
> what else could be going on here????
>
> There is a NHTSA ODI - Technical Service Bulletin out there and I'm
> going to follow up on it.
> Make : JEEP
> Model : WRANGLER
> Year : 2006
> Manufacturer : DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION
> Service Bulletin Num : 1900306
> Date of Bulletin: AUG 30, 2006
> NHTSA Item Number: 10020334
> Component: STEERING
> Summary: STEERING SHIMMY. *TT
>
> Has anyone experience this same problem, if so...how did you solve
> it??
>
> Thanks,
> : -)
> Larryariz
>



--
Posted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com

Re: 06 Jeep Wrangler X - Problem with Shimmy in Steering Wheel....
 

Hi Larry,
Tell Daimler to fix it: http://alldata.com/TSB/04/060406d2.html
Tire may just have mud caked on it causing it to be out of balance. Or
you hit something breaking the tire carcass, causing a bubble, throwing it
out of round, Or it just could be a bad tire casing that distorts at
different speeds, causing a "death wobble"
If you lifted it than your castor alignment is out of whack with the
type of coil spring suspension Daimler uses, and you just live with. Maybe
buy stronger steering stabilizer/dampener, or a Real Jeep with leaf springs:
http://----------.com/TJleafSprings/
God Bless America, Bill O|||||||O
mailto:-------------------- http://www.----------.com/


"larryariz" <larryariz@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1189622467.626884.314530@y42g2000hsy.googlegr oups.com...
> Hi all,
>
> I have a new "06 Jeep Wrangler X" (Great Jeep!) with a grand total of
> 6192 miles.
>
> When I drive about 60 mph on the freeway, the steering wheel wants to
> "shimmy", i.e. turn to the left, then to the right and vice versa. I
> have to hang tightly on this steering wheel or slow down to about 50
> mph. I could really end up in the next lane, to the right or left.
> It's really noticeable with the cross winds or on windy days. Slower
> speeds on the regular city streets, it's OK.
>
> I had it to the dealership last month and they test drove it and they
> found nothing wrong. I also use this same jeep, to tow behind my RV.
>
> Do I need more air pressure in the two front tires of this jeep, or
> what else could be going on here????
>
> There is a NHTSA ODI - Technical Service Bulletin out there and I'm
> going to follow up on it.
> Make : JEEP
> Model : WRANGLER
> Year : 2006
> Manufacturer : DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION
> Service Bulletin Num : 1900306
> Date of Bulletin: AUG 30, 2006
> NHTSA Item Number: 10020334
> Component: STEERING
> Summary: STEERING SHIMMY. *TT
>
> Has anyone experience this same problem, if so...how did you solve
> it??
>
> Thanks,
> : -)
> Larryariz
>



--
Posted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com

Re: 06 Jeep Wrangler X - Problem with Shimmy in Steering Wheel....
 

larryariz wrote:
> Hi all,
>
> I have a new "06 Jeep Wrangler X" (Great Jeep!) with a grand total of
> 6192 miles.
>
> When I drive about 60 mph on the freeway, the steering wheel wants to
> "shimmy", i.e. turn to the left, then to the right and vice versa. I
> have to hang tightly on this steering wheel or slow down to about 50
> mph. I could really end up in the next lane, to the right or left.
> It's really noticeable with the cross winds or on windy days. Slower
> speeds on the regular city streets, it's OK.

Did this start happening after you rotated the tires at 6,000 miles as
specified in the service interval? If so, rotate the tires back one at a
time and see if this "cures" the problem. Rotate through your spare if
you only have the jack that came with your Jeep (and thus can only lift
one wheel at a time) and use an X-type lug wrench available at Sears or
etc. rather than the pathetic thing that came with your Jeep. On an
unlifted Jeep often the "shimmy" is nothing more than an out-of-round
and/or out-of-balance tire. The OEM tires in particular are notorious
for being pathetic.

I had a bit of vibration in my (2" lifted) TJ's steering wheel at speed,
though nothing as bad as what you describe. New tires solved it. But
balancing would have solved it too. (But I wanted 32" tires on my Heap :-).

-Elron