2004TJ front end wobble
#101
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: 2004TJ front end wobble
you will be able to feel it with you hand the edge of the tread will feel
sharper (or feathered like)
Larry
"Steve" <steve.brady(woo hoo)@rogers.com> wrote in message
news:N-OdnYgKdsJi0SDfRVn-sg@rogers.com...
>I can picture the "extreme" of cupping....but how can you tell if it's
>slight?
> The chalk test?
>
>
> "extremetjs" <123@abc.com> wrote in message
> news:1W4ve.2672$Lj2.2370@newssvr12.news.prodigy.co m...
>> All we do is jeep wranglers and have for about 8 years if your stablizer
>> has less than 10,000 miles on it then you need to look at your tires for
>> cupping..... we have found that is the tires are not rotated every 3000
>> miles they will begin to cup and become junk I can be reached at
>> larry_overman@hotmail.com I will forward a number you can reach me at we
>> can talk better about the issue if you like.
>>
>> Larry.
>>
>>
>>
>> <damgoodespresso@gmail.com> wrote in message
>> news:1119671515.707633.261390@z14g2000cwz.googlegr oups.com...
>>> Update -
>>>
>>> I tightened the trackbar bolt at the axle to 50 ft-lbs - that made a
>>> difference in the handling, but when I decided to try for 55 ft-lbs,
>>> the bolt broke. Fortunately retrieving the nut from inside the bracket
>>> wasn't too difficult...
>>>
>>> The FSM specifies 40 ft-lbs - and it looks like that's about the limit.
>>> Also - all that should be needed with a rubber bushing like that is
>>> enough torque to secure the bolt - the mating of rubber bushing at the
>>> center to bolt should do the rest. Excessive lateral torque would
>>> cause the compressed surface of bolt -> bracket -> surface of bushing
>>> ->anterior surface of bushing -> bracket -> nut to bear, which is not
>>> right. Sigh. I should have checked the setting before tightening.
>>>
>>> It's possible the bushing is worn, but it doesn't look it. I can get a
>>> replacement bolt tomorrow, tighten it to the 40 ft-lb setting, then see
>>> where we go from there.
>>>
>>> --doug
>>>
>>
>>
>
>
sharper (or feathered like)
Larry
"Steve" <steve.brady(woo hoo)@rogers.com> wrote in message
news:N-OdnYgKdsJi0SDfRVn-sg@rogers.com...
>I can picture the "extreme" of cupping....but how can you tell if it's
>slight?
> The chalk test?
>
>
> "extremetjs" <123@abc.com> wrote in message
> news:1W4ve.2672$Lj2.2370@newssvr12.news.prodigy.co m...
>> All we do is jeep wranglers and have for about 8 years if your stablizer
>> has less than 10,000 miles on it then you need to look at your tires for
>> cupping..... we have found that is the tires are not rotated every 3000
>> miles they will begin to cup and become junk I can be reached at
>> larry_overman@hotmail.com I will forward a number you can reach me at we
>> can talk better about the issue if you like.
>>
>> Larry.
>>
>>
>>
>> <damgoodespresso@gmail.com> wrote in message
>> news:1119671515.707633.261390@z14g2000cwz.googlegr oups.com...
>>> Update -
>>>
>>> I tightened the trackbar bolt at the axle to 50 ft-lbs - that made a
>>> difference in the handling, but when I decided to try for 55 ft-lbs,
>>> the bolt broke. Fortunately retrieving the nut from inside the bracket
>>> wasn't too difficult...
>>>
>>> The FSM specifies 40 ft-lbs - and it looks like that's about the limit.
>>> Also - all that should be needed with a rubber bushing like that is
>>> enough torque to secure the bolt - the mating of rubber bushing at the
>>> center to bolt should do the rest. Excessive lateral torque would
>>> cause the compressed surface of bolt -> bracket -> surface of bushing
>>> ->anterior surface of bushing -> bracket -> nut to bear, which is not
>>> right. Sigh. I should have checked the setting before tightening.
>>>
>>> It's possible the bushing is worn, but it doesn't look it. I can get a
>>> replacement bolt tomorrow, tighten it to the 40 ft-lb setting, then see
>>> where we go from there.
>>>
>>> --doug
>>>
>>
>>
>
>
#102
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: 2004TJ front end wobble
Monday 27 June update -
I changed out the steering damper after replacing the bolt for the
trackbar that I broke Friday. That basically eliminated the wobble as
an oscillation that traveled up into the steering. However - there was
still an unusual vibration present, something still not right. I
jacked up the front end - tie rod ends are fine, no wiggle in the ball
joints, everything seems tight. I checked the tires for out-of-round
or cupping or anything else. Nothing.
Bouncing on the shocks showed a perceptible difference at the driver's
side front shock, at least a couple of bounces more than should have
been there. I replaced all four, and the death wobble is gone.
The tires may still be an issue and may have been the root cause. I'm
taking the vehicle back to the machanic to rebalance the front tires
and look for any out of round or cupping at speed on the balance
machine. There is a slight vibration which may be an issue.
The Jeep feels so much more stable now, though, that I would consider
it solved. I've actually forgotten to pay attention to the feel of the
steering and to every bump and vibration in case it goes wrong, and
just enjoyed the driving again.
Thanks for the help and pointers.
--doug
I changed out the steering damper after replacing the bolt for the
trackbar that I broke Friday. That basically eliminated the wobble as
an oscillation that traveled up into the steering. However - there was
still an unusual vibration present, something still not right. I
jacked up the front end - tie rod ends are fine, no wiggle in the ball
joints, everything seems tight. I checked the tires for out-of-round
or cupping or anything else. Nothing.
Bouncing on the shocks showed a perceptible difference at the driver's
side front shock, at least a couple of bounces more than should have
been there. I replaced all four, and the death wobble is gone.
The tires may still be an issue and may have been the root cause. I'm
taking the vehicle back to the machanic to rebalance the front tires
and look for any out of round or cupping at speed on the balance
machine. There is a slight vibration which may be an issue.
The Jeep feels so much more stable now, though, that I would consider
it solved. I've actually forgotten to pay attention to the feel of the
steering and to every bump and vibration in case it goes wrong, and
just enjoyed the driving again.
Thanks for the help and pointers.
--doug
#103
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: 2004TJ front end wobble
Monday 27 June update -
I changed out the steering damper after replacing the bolt for the
trackbar that I broke Friday. That basically eliminated the wobble as
an oscillation that traveled up into the steering. However - there was
still an unusual vibration present, something still not right. I
jacked up the front end - tie rod ends are fine, no wiggle in the ball
joints, everything seems tight. I checked the tires for out-of-round
or cupping or anything else. Nothing.
Bouncing on the shocks showed a perceptible difference at the driver's
side front shock, at least a couple of bounces more than should have
been there. I replaced all four, and the death wobble is gone.
The tires may still be an issue and may have been the root cause. I'm
taking the vehicle back to the machanic to rebalance the front tires
and look for any out of round or cupping at speed on the balance
machine. There is a slight vibration which may be an issue.
The Jeep feels so much more stable now, though, that I would consider
it solved. I've actually forgotten to pay attention to the feel of the
steering and to every bump and vibration in case it goes wrong, and
just enjoyed the driving again.
Thanks for the help and pointers.
--doug
I changed out the steering damper after replacing the bolt for the
trackbar that I broke Friday. That basically eliminated the wobble as
an oscillation that traveled up into the steering. However - there was
still an unusual vibration present, something still not right. I
jacked up the front end - tie rod ends are fine, no wiggle in the ball
joints, everything seems tight. I checked the tires for out-of-round
or cupping or anything else. Nothing.
Bouncing on the shocks showed a perceptible difference at the driver's
side front shock, at least a couple of bounces more than should have
been there. I replaced all four, and the death wobble is gone.
The tires may still be an issue and may have been the root cause. I'm
taking the vehicle back to the machanic to rebalance the front tires
and look for any out of round or cupping at speed on the balance
machine. There is a slight vibration which may be an issue.
The Jeep feels so much more stable now, though, that I would consider
it solved. I've actually forgotten to pay attention to the feel of the
steering and to every bump and vibration in case it goes wrong, and
just enjoyed the driving again.
Thanks for the help and pointers.
--doug
#104
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: 2004TJ front end wobble
Monday 27 June update -
I changed out the steering damper after replacing the bolt for the
trackbar that I broke Friday. That basically eliminated the wobble as
an oscillation that traveled up into the steering. However - there was
still an unusual vibration present, something still not right. I
jacked up the front end - tie rod ends are fine, no wiggle in the ball
joints, everything seems tight. I checked the tires for out-of-round
or cupping or anything else. Nothing.
Bouncing on the shocks showed a perceptible difference at the driver's
side front shock, at least a couple of bounces more than should have
been there. I replaced all four, and the death wobble is gone.
The tires may still be an issue and may have been the root cause. I'm
taking the vehicle back to the machanic to rebalance the front tires
and look for any out of round or cupping at speed on the balance
machine. There is a slight vibration which may be an issue.
The Jeep feels so much more stable now, though, that I would consider
it solved. I've actually forgotten to pay attention to the feel of the
steering and to every bump and vibration in case it goes wrong, and
just enjoyed the driving again.
Thanks for the help and pointers.
--doug
I changed out the steering damper after replacing the bolt for the
trackbar that I broke Friday. That basically eliminated the wobble as
an oscillation that traveled up into the steering. However - there was
still an unusual vibration present, something still not right. I
jacked up the front end - tie rod ends are fine, no wiggle in the ball
joints, everything seems tight. I checked the tires for out-of-round
or cupping or anything else. Nothing.
Bouncing on the shocks showed a perceptible difference at the driver's
side front shock, at least a couple of bounces more than should have
been there. I replaced all four, and the death wobble is gone.
The tires may still be an issue and may have been the root cause. I'm
taking the vehicle back to the machanic to rebalance the front tires
and look for any out of round or cupping at speed on the balance
machine. There is a slight vibration which may be an issue.
The Jeep feels so much more stable now, though, that I would consider
it solved. I've actually forgotten to pay attention to the feel of the
steering and to every bump and vibration in case it goes wrong, and
just enjoyed the driving again.
Thanks for the help and pointers.
--doug
#105
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: 2004TJ front end wobble
Monday 27 June update -
I changed out the steering damper after replacing the bolt for the
trackbar that I broke Friday. That basically eliminated the wobble as
an oscillation that traveled up into the steering. However - there was
still an unusual vibration present, something still not right. I
jacked up the front end - tie rod ends are fine, no wiggle in the ball
joints, everything seems tight. I checked the tires for out-of-round
or cupping or anything else. Nothing.
Bouncing on the shocks showed a perceptible difference at the driver's
side front shock, at least a couple of bounces more than should have
been there. I replaced all four, and the death wobble is gone.
The tires may still be an issue and may have been the root cause. I'm
taking the vehicle back to the machanic to rebalance the front tires
and look for any out of round or cupping at speed on the balance
machine. There is a slight vibration which may be an issue.
The Jeep feels so much more stable now, though, that I would consider
it solved. I've actually forgotten to pay attention to the feel of the
steering and to every bump and vibration in case it goes wrong, and
just enjoyed the driving again.
Thanks for the help and pointers.
--doug
I changed out the steering damper after replacing the bolt for the
trackbar that I broke Friday. That basically eliminated the wobble as
an oscillation that traveled up into the steering. However - there was
still an unusual vibration present, something still not right. I
jacked up the front end - tie rod ends are fine, no wiggle in the ball
joints, everything seems tight. I checked the tires for out-of-round
or cupping or anything else. Nothing.
Bouncing on the shocks showed a perceptible difference at the driver's
side front shock, at least a couple of bounces more than should have
been there. I replaced all four, and the death wobble is gone.
The tires may still be an issue and may have been the root cause. I'm
taking the vehicle back to the machanic to rebalance the front tires
and look for any out of round or cupping at speed on the balance
machine. There is a slight vibration which may be an issue.
The Jeep feels so much more stable now, though, that I would consider
it solved. I've actually forgotten to pay attention to the feel of the
steering and to every bump and vibration in case it goes wrong, and
just enjoyed the driving again.
Thanks for the help and pointers.
--doug
#106
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: 2004TJ front end wobble
one last thing have you ever had it off road or did you buy it used ... I
did run into a situation similar to this we found that the front drive line
had been bent on a stump when it had been off road.
Larry
<damgoodespresso@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1119889460.449237.67020@g49g2000cwa.googlegro ups.com...
> Monday 27 June update -
>
> I changed out the steering damper after replacing the bolt for the
> trackbar that I broke Friday. That basically eliminated the wobble as
> an oscillation that traveled up into the steering. However - there was
> still an unusual vibration present, something still not right. I
> jacked up the front end - tie rod ends are fine, no wiggle in the ball
> joints, everything seems tight. I checked the tires for out-of-round
> or cupping or anything else. Nothing.
>
> Bouncing on the shocks showed a perceptible difference at the driver's
> side front shock, at least a couple of bounces more than should have
> been there. I replaced all four, and the death wobble is gone.
>
> The tires may still be an issue and may have been the root cause. I'm
> taking the vehicle back to the machanic to rebalance the front tires
> and look for any out of round or cupping at speed on the balance
> machine. There is a slight vibration which may be an issue.
>
> The Jeep feels so much more stable now, though, that I would consider
> it solved. I've actually forgotten to pay attention to the feel of the
> steering and to every bump and vibration in case it goes wrong, and
> just enjoyed the driving again.
>
> Thanks for the help and pointers.
> --doug
>
did run into a situation similar to this we found that the front drive line
had been bent on a stump when it had been off road.
Larry
<damgoodespresso@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1119889460.449237.67020@g49g2000cwa.googlegro ups.com...
> Monday 27 June update -
>
> I changed out the steering damper after replacing the bolt for the
> trackbar that I broke Friday. That basically eliminated the wobble as
> an oscillation that traveled up into the steering. However - there was
> still an unusual vibration present, something still not right. I
> jacked up the front end - tie rod ends are fine, no wiggle in the ball
> joints, everything seems tight. I checked the tires for out-of-round
> or cupping or anything else. Nothing.
>
> Bouncing on the shocks showed a perceptible difference at the driver's
> side front shock, at least a couple of bounces more than should have
> been there. I replaced all four, and the death wobble is gone.
>
> The tires may still be an issue and may have been the root cause. I'm
> taking the vehicle back to the machanic to rebalance the front tires
> and look for any out of round or cupping at speed on the balance
> machine. There is a slight vibration which may be an issue.
>
> The Jeep feels so much more stable now, though, that I would consider
> it solved. I've actually forgotten to pay attention to the feel of the
> steering and to every bump and vibration in case it goes wrong, and
> just enjoyed the driving again.
>
> Thanks for the help and pointers.
> --doug
>
#107
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: 2004TJ front end wobble
one last thing have you ever had it off road or did you buy it used ... I
did run into a situation similar to this we found that the front drive line
had been bent on a stump when it had been off road.
Larry
<damgoodespresso@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1119889460.449237.67020@g49g2000cwa.googlegro ups.com...
> Monday 27 June update -
>
> I changed out the steering damper after replacing the bolt for the
> trackbar that I broke Friday. That basically eliminated the wobble as
> an oscillation that traveled up into the steering. However - there was
> still an unusual vibration present, something still not right. I
> jacked up the front end - tie rod ends are fine, no wiggle in the ball
> joints, everything seems tight. I checked the tires for out-of-round
> or cupping or anything else. Nothing.
>
> Bouncing on the shocks showed a perceptible difference at the driver's
> side front shock, at least a couple of bounces more than should have
> been there. I replaced all four, and the death wobble is gone.
>
> The tires may still be an issue and may have been the root cause. I'm
> taking the vehicle back to the machanic to rebalance the front tires
> and look for any out of round or cupping at speed on the balance
> machine. There is a slight vibration which may be an issue.
>
> The Jeep feels so much more stable now, though, that I would consider
> it solved. I've actually forgotten to pay attention to the feel of the
> steering and to every bump and vibration in case it goes wrong, and
> just enjoyed the driving again.
>
> Thanks for the help and pointers.
> --doug
>
did run into a situation similar to this we found that the front drive line
had been bent on a stump when it had been off road.
Larry
<damgoodespresso@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1119889460.449237.67020@g49g2000cwa.googlegro ups.com...
> Monday 27 June update -
>
> I changed out the steering damper after replacing the bolt for the
> trackbar that I broke Friday. That basically eliminated the wobble as
> an oscillation that traveled up into the steering. However - there was
> still an unusual vibration present, something still not right. I
> jacked up the front end - tie rod ends are fine, no wiggle in the ball
> joints, everything seems tight. I checked the tires for out-of-round
> or cupping or anything else. Nothing.
>
> Bouncing on the shocks showed a perceptible difference at the driver's
> side front shock, at least a couple of bounces more than should have
> been there. I replaced all four, and the death wobble is gone.
>
> The tires may still be an issue and may have been the root cause. I'm
> taking the vehicle back to the machanic to rebalance the front tires
> and look for any out of round or cupping at speed on the balance
> machine. There is a slight vibration which may be an issue.
>
> The Jeep feels so much more stable now, though, that I would consider
> it solved. I've actually forgotten to pay attention to the feel of the
> steering and to every bump and vibration in case it goes wrong, and
> just enjoyed the driving again.
>
> Thanks for the help and pointers.
> --doug
>
#108
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: 2004TJ front end wobble
one last thing have you ever had it off road or did you buy it used ... I
did run into a situation similar to this we found that the front drive line
had been bent on a stump when it had been off road.
Larry
<damgoodespresso@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1119889460.449237.67020@g49g2000cwa.googlegro ups.com...
> Monday 27 June update -
>
> I changed out the steering damper after replacing the bolt for the
> trackbar that I broke Friday. That basically eliminated the wobble as
> an oscillation that traveled up into the steering. However - there was
> still an unusual vibration present, something still not right. I
> jacked up the front end - tie rod ends are fine, no wiggle in the ball
> joints, everything seems tight. I checked the tires for out-of-round
> or cupping or anything else. Nothing.
>
> Bouncing on the shocks showed a perceptible difference at the driver's
> side front shock, at least a couple of bounces more than should have
> been there. I replaced all four, and the death wobble is gone.
>
> The tires may still be an issue and may have been the root cause. I'm
> taking the vehicle back to the machanic to rebalance the front tires
> and look for any out of round or cupping at speed on the balance
> machine. There is a slight vibration which may be an issue.
>
> The Jeep feels so much more stable now, though, that I would consider
> it solved. I've actually forgotten to pay attention to the feel of the
> steering and to every bump and vibration in case it goes wrong, and
> just enjoyed the driving again.
>
> Thanks for the help and pointers.
> --doug
>
did run into a situation similar to this we found that the front drive line
had been bent on a stump when it had been off road.
Larry
<damgoodespresso@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1119889460.449237.67020@g49g2000cwa.googlegro ups.com...
> Monday 27 June update -
>
> I changed out the steering damper after replacing the bolt for the
> trackbar that I broke Friday. That basically eliminated the wobble as
> an oscillation that traveled up into the steering. However - there was
> still an unusual vibration present, something still not right. I
> jacked up the front end - tie rod ends are fine, no wiggle in the ball
> joints, everything seems tight. I checked the tires for out-of-round
> or cupping or anything else. Nothing.
>
> Bouncing on the shocks showed a perceptible difference at the driver's
> side front shock, at least a couple of bounces more than should have
> been there. I replaced all four, and the death wobble is gone.
>
> The tires may still be an issue and may have been the root cause. I'm
> taking the vehicle back to the machanic to rebalance the front tires
> and look for any out of round or cupping at speed on the balance
> machine. There is a slight vibration which may be an issue.
>
> The Jeep feels so much more stable now, though, that I would consider
> it solved. I've actually forgotten to pay attention to the feel of the
> steering and to every bump and vibration in case it goes wrong, and
> just enjoyed the driving again.
>
> Thanks for the help and pointers.
> --doug
>
#109
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: 2004TJ front end wobble
one last thing have you ever had it off road or did you buy it used ... I
did run into a situation similar to this we found that the front drive line
had been bent on a stump when it had been off road.
Larry
<damgoodespresso@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1119889460.449237.67020@g49g2000cwa.googlegro ups.com...
> Monday 27 June update -
>
> I changed out the steering damper after replacing the bolt for the
> trackbar that I broke Friday. That basically eliminated the wobble as
> an oscillation that traveled up into the steering. However - there was
> still an unusual vibration present, something still not right. I
> jacked up the front end - tie rod ends are fine, no wiggle in the ball
> joints, everything seems tight. I checked the tires for out-of-round
> or cupping or anything else. Nothing.
>
> Bouncing on the shocks showed a perceptible difference at the driver's
> side front shock, at least a couple of bounces more than should have
> been there. I replaced all four, and the death wobble is gone.
>
> The tires may still be an issue and may have been the root cause. I'm
> taking the vehicle back to the machanic to rebalance the front tires
> and look for any out of round or cupping at speed on the balance
> machine. There is a slight vibration which may be an issue.
>
> The Jeep feels so much more stable now, though, that I would consider
> it solved. I've actually forgotten to pay attention to the feel of the
> steering and to every bump and vibration in case it goes wrong, and
> just enjoyed the driving again.
>
> Thanks for the help and pointers.
> --doug
>
did run into a situation similar to this we found that the front drive line
had been bent on a stump when it had been off road.
Larry
<damgoodespresso@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1119889460.449237.67020@g49g2000cwa.googlegro ups.com...
> Monday 27 June update -
>
> I changed out the steering damper after replacing the bolt for the
> trackbar that I broke Friday. That basically eliminated the wobble as
> an oscillation that traveled up into the steering. However - there was
> still an unusual vibration present, something still not right. I
> jacked up the front end - tie rod ends are fine, no wiggle in the ball
> joints, everything seems tight. I checked the tires for out-of-round
> or cupping or anything else. Nothing.
>
> Bouncing on the shocks showed a perceptible difference at the driver's
> side front shock, at least a couple of bounces more than should have
> been there. I replaced all four, and the death wobble is gone.
>
> The tires may still be an issue and may have been the root cause. I'm
> taking the vehicle back to the machanic to rebalance the front tires
> and look for any out of round or cupping at speed on the balance
> machine. There is a slight vibration which may be an issue.
>
> The Jeep feels so much more stable now, though, that I would consider
> it solved. I've actually forgotten to pay attention to the feel of the
> steering and to every bump and vibration in case it goes wrong, and
> just enjoyed the driving again.
>
> Thanks for the help and pointers.
> --doug
>
#110
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: 2004TJ front end wobble
Two drastically different shocks on one axle will cause a LOT of
strange things - but you still need to nail down the undelying cause.
Right now, you have it masked but it will return.
If you have steel rims, did you check the runout? it doesn't take
much of a bump against a curb or rock to bend the rim enough to cause
problems.
On Mon, 27 Jun 2005 16:24:20 UTC "damgoodespresso@gmail.com"
<damgoodespresso@gmail.com> wrote:
> Monday 27 June update -
>
> I changed out the steering damper after replacing the bolt for the
> trackbar that I broke Friday. That basically eliminated the wobble as
> an oscillation that traveled up into the steering. However - there was
> still an unusual vibration present, something still not right. I
> jacked up the front end - tie rod ends are fine, no wiggle in the ball
> joints, everything seems tight. I checked the tires for out-of-round
> or cupping or anything else. Nothing.
>
> Bouncing on the shocks showed a perceptible difference at the driver's
> side front shock, at least a couple of bounces more than should have
> been there. I replaced all four, and the death wobble is gone.
>
> The tires may still be an issue and may have been the root cause. I'm
> taking the vehicle back to the machanic to rebalance the front tires
> and look for any out of round or cupping at speed on the balance
> machine. There is a slight vibration which may be an issue.
>
> The Jeep feels so much more stable now, though, that I would consider
> it solved. I've actually forgotten to pay attention to the feel of the
> steering and to every bump and vibration in case it goes wrong, and
> just enjoyed the driving again.
>
> Thanks for the help and pointers.
> --doug
>
--
Will Honea
strange things - but you still need to nail down the undelying cause.
Right now, you have it masked but it will return.
If you have steel rims, did you check the runout? it doesn't take
much of a bump against a curb or rock to bend the rim enough to cause
problems.
On Mon, 27 Jun 2005 16:24:20 UTC "damgoodespresso@gmail.com"
<damgoodespresso@gmail.com> wrote:
> Monday 27 June update -
>
> I changed out the steering damper after replacing the bolt for the
> trackbar that I broke Friday. That basically eliminated the wobble as
> an oscillation that traveled up into the steering. However - there was
> still an unusual vibration present, something still not right. I
> jacked up the front end - tie rod ends are fine, no wiggle in the ball
> joints, everything seems tight. I checked the tires for out-of-round
> or cupping or anything else. Nothing.
>
> Bouncing on the shocks showed a perceptible difference at the driver's
> side front shock, at least a couple of bounces more than should have
> been there. I replaced all four, and the death wobble is gone.
>
> The tires may still be an issue and may have been the root cause. I'm
> taking the vehicle back to the machanic to rebalance the front tires
> and look for any out of round or cupping at speed on the balance
> machine. There is a slight vibration which may be an issue.
>
> The Jeep feels so much more stable now, though, that I would consider
> it solved. I've actually forgotten to pay attention to the feel of the
> steering and to every bump and vibration in case it goes wrong, and
> just enjoyed the driving again.
>
> Thanks for the help and pointers.
> --doug
>
--
Will Honea