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Death wobble?
Ok folks,
I have a 97 TJ, 4 cyl, 5 spd, 95K Miles. Everything's standard, w/ a soft top. No AC, no 30 cal Mk-1, no blitz blaster radios, CD's, nada... null... I do have a shotgun rack, however. I don't use 4WD that much and this Jeep will never get worn out from MY use. I never need to drive more than 60 mph, so I don't. Right now, I'm getting about 19 mpg, for example. I even keep the tires pumped up to spec. BUT, the other day, on the way to town, I thought I noticed a slight shimmy in the steering wheel. On the way home, I didn't notice any steering wheel shimmy and so I stopped worrying. I also had 300 lbs of chicken, cow, and dog feed in the back. BUT, I remember several posts here about the dreaded "Death Wobble". So, exactly what is it? Symptoms? How do I know my TJ has it? Most likely cause(s)? Best fix? Is this a problem best solved by a "expert" Jeep mechanic? Thanks in advance... Matt |
Re: Death wobble?
On Mon, 12 Jun 2006 11:46:45 GMT, "ambrin" <ambrin@sbcglobal.net>
wrote: >Ok folks, > >I have a 97 TJ, 4 cyl, 5 spd, 95K Miles. Everything's standard, w/ a soft >top. No AC, no 30 cal Mk-1, no blitz blaster radios, CD's, nada... null... >I do have a shotgun rack, however. > >I don't use 4WD that much and this Jeep will never get worn out from MY use. >I never need to drive more than 60 mph, so I don't. Right now, I'm getting >about 19 mpg, for example. I even keep the tires pumped up to spec. > >BUT, the other day, on the way to town, I thought I noticed a slight shimmy >in the steering wheel. On the way home, I didn't notice any steering wheel >shimmy and so I stopped worrying. I also had 300 lbs of chicken, cow, and >dog feed in the back. > >BUT, I remember several posts here about the dreaded "Death Wobble". > >So, exactly what is it? Symptoms? How do I know my TJ has it? Most likely >cause(s)? Best fix? Is this a problem best solved by a "expert" Jeep >mechanic? > >Thanks in advance... >Matt They don't call it death wobble for nothing. When you have it there will be no mistake. The vehicle will shake from side to side so violently, you will think about death. Just about everything to do with the front end can contribute to it. Often, it is many things. Wheel bearings, tire roundness, steering stabilizer, trac bar, tie-rod ends, drag links, steering box, etc. Anything that gets lose from wear. Take it to a good 4X4 or front end shop. I had it in my '93 JGC and a local 4X4 shop fixed it. ---- |
Re: Death wobble?
On Mon, 12 Jun 2006 11:46:45 GMT, "ambrin" <ambrin@sbcglobal.net>
wrote: >Ok folks, > >I have a 97 TJ, 4 cyl, 5 spd, 95K Miles. Everything's standard, w/ a soft >top. No AC, no 30 cal Mk-1, no blitz blaster radios, CD's, nada... null... >I do have a shotgun rack, however. > >I don't use 4WD that much and this Jeep will never get worn out from MY use. >I never need to drive more than 60 mph, so I don't. Right now, I'm getting >about 19 mpg, for example. I even keep the tires pumped up to spec. > >BUT, the other day, on the way to town, I thought I noticed a slight shimmy >in the steering wheel. On the way home, I didn't notice any steering wheel >shimmy and so I stopped worrying. I also had 300 lbs of chicken, cow, and >dog feed in the back. > >BUT, I remember several posts here about the dreaded "Death Wobble". > >So, exactly what is it? Symptoms? How do I know my TJ has it? Most likely >cause(s)? Best fix? Is this a problem best solved by a "expert" Jeep >mechanic? > >Thanks in advance... >Matt They don't call it death wobble for nothing. When you have it there will be no mistake. The vehicle will shake from side to side so violently, you will think about death. Just about everything to do with the front end can contribute to it. Often, it is many things. Wheel bearings, tire roundness, steering stabilizer, trac bar, tie-rod ends, drag links, steering box, etc. Anything that gets lose from wear. Take it to a good 4X4 or front end shop. I had it in my '93 JGC and a local 4X4 shop fixed it. ---- |
Re: Death wobble?
On Mon, 12 Jun 2006 11:46:45 GMT, "ambrin" <ambrin@sbcglobal.net>
wrote: >Ok folks, > >I have a 97 TJ, 4 cyl, 5 spd, 95K Miles. Everything's standard, w/ a soft >top. No AC, no 30 cal Mk-1, no blitz blaster radios, CD's, nada... null... >I do have a shotgun rack, however. > >I don't use 4WD that much and this Jeep will never get worn out from MY use. >I never need to drive more than 60 mph, so I don't. Right now, I'm getting >about 19 mpg, for example. I even keep the tires pumped up to spec. > >BUT, the other day, on the way to town, I thought I noticed a slight shimmy >in the steering wheel. On the way home, I didn't notice any steering wheel >shimmy and so I stopped worrying. I also had 300 lbs of chicken, cow, and >dog feed in the back. > >BUT, I remember several posts here about the dreaded "Death Wobble". > >So, exactly what is it? Symptoms? How do I know my TJ has it? Most likely >cause(s)? Best fix? Is this a problem best solved by a "expert" Jeep >mechanic? > >Thanks in advance... >Matt They don't call it death wobble for nothing. When you have it there will be no mistake. The vehicle will shake from side to side so violently, you will think about death. Just about everything to do with the front end can contribute to it. Often, it is many things. Wheel bearings, tire roundness, steering stabilizer, trac bar, tie-rod ends, drag links, steering box, etc. Anything that gets lose from wear. Take it to a good 4X4 or front end shop. I had it in my '93 JGC and a local 4X4 shop fixed it. ---- |
Re: Death wobble?
You are describing a part wearing out. It will likely be a normal front
end part like a tie rod end. You also could be describing a tire going bad. Mike 86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00 88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's 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) ambrin wrote: > > Ok folks, > > I have a 97 TJ, 4 cyl, 5 spd, 95K Miles. Everything's standard, w/ a soft > top. No AC, no 30 cal Mk-1, no blitz blaster radios, CD's, nada... null... > I do have a shotgun rack, however. > > I don't use 4WD that much and this Jeep will never get worn out from MY use. > I never need to drive more than 60 mph, so I don't. Right now, I'm getting > about 19 mpg, for example. I even keep the tires pumped up to spec. > > BUT, the other day, on the way to town, I thought I noticed a slight shimmy > in the steering wheel. On the way home, I didn't notice any steering wheel > shimmy and so I stopped worrying. I also had 300 lbs of chicken, cow, and > dog feed in the back. > > BUT, I remember several posts here about the dreaded "Death Wobble". > > So, exactly what is it? Symptoms? How do I know my TJ has it? Most likely > cause(s)? Best fix? Is this a problem best solved by a "expert" Jeep > mechanic? > > Thanks in advance... > Matt |
Re: Death wobble?
You are describing a part wearing out. It will likely be a normal front
end part like a tie rod end. You also could be describing a tire going bad. Mike 86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00 88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's 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) ambrin wrote: > > Ok folks, > > I have a 97 TJ, 4 cyl, 5 spd, 95K Miles. Everything's standard, w/ a soft > top. No AC, no 30 cal Mk-1, no blitz blaster radios, CD's, nada... null... > I do have a shotgun rack, however. > > I don't use 4WD that much and this Jeep will never get worn out from MY use. > I never need to drive more than 60 mph, so I don't. Right now, I'm getting > about 19 mpg, for example. I even keep the tires pumped up to spec. > > BUT, the other day, on the way to town, I thought I noticed a slight shimmy > in the steering wheel. On the way home, I didn't notice any steering wheel > shimmy and so I stopped worrying. I also had 300 lbs of chicken, cow, and > dog feed in the back. > > BUT, I remember several posts here about the dreaded "Death Wobble". > > So, exactly what is it? Symptoms? How do I know my TJ has it? Most likely > cause(s)? Best fix? Is this a problem best solved by a "expert" Jeep > mechanic? > > Thanks in advance... > Matt |
Re: Death wobble?
You are describing a part wearing out. It will likely be a normal front
end part like a tie rod end. You also could be describing a tire going bad. Mike 86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00 88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's 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) ambrin wrote: > > Ok folks, > > I have a 97 TJ, 4 cyl, 5 spd, 95K Miles. Everything's standard, w/ a soft > top. No AC, no 30 cal Mk-1, no blitz blaster radios, CD's, nada... null... > I do have a shotgun rack, however. > > I don't use 4WD that much and this Jeep will never get worn out from MY use. > I never need to drive more than 60 mph, so I don't. Right now, I'm getting > about 19 mpg, for example. I even keep the tires pumped up to spec. > > BUT, the other day, on the way to town, I thought I noticed a slight shimmy > in the steering wheel. On the way home, I didn't notice any steering wheel > shimmy and so I stopped worrying. I also had 300 lbs of chicken, cow, and > dog feed in the back. > > BUT, I remember several posts here about the dreaded "Death Wobble". > > So, exactly what is it? Symptoms? How do I know my TJ has it? Most likely > cause(s)? Best fix? Is this a problem best solved by a "expert" Jeep > mechanic? > > Thanks in advance... > Matt |
Re: Death wobble?
When it happened to me a few years ago, it was from tires. Ply seperation.
I've heard some say that techinically this is NOT the death wobble, but it felt like it to me :) I hit a hole on the FW, doing about 65mph and was damn near to going in the ditch. I completely lost control of the front end and could do nothing but hit the breaks! Tim "ambrin" <ambrin@sbcglobal.net> wrote in message news:Fucjg.49260$Lm5.8279@newssvr12.news.prodigy.c om... > Ok folks, > > I have a 97 TJ, 4 cyl, 5 spd, 95K Miles. Everything's standard, w/ a soft > top. No AC, no 30 cal Mk-1, no blitz blaster radios, CD's, nada... null... > I do have a shotgun rack, however. > > I don't use 4WD that much and this Jeep will never get worn out from MY use. > I never need to drive more than 60 mph, so I don't. Right now, I'm getting > about 19 mpg, for example. I even keep the tires pumped up to spec. > > BUT, the other day, on the way to town, I thought I noticed a slight shimmy > in the steering wheel. On the way home, I didn't notice any steering wheel > shimmy and so I stopped worrying. I also had 300 lbs of chicken, cow, and > dog feed in the back. > > BUT, I remember several posts here about the dreaded "Death Wobble". > > So, exactly what is it? Symptoms? How do I know my TJ has it? Most likely > cause(s)? Best fix? Is this a problem best solved by a "expert" Jeep > mechanic? > > Thanks in advance... > Matt > > > |
Re: Death wobble?
When it happened to me a few years ago, it was from tires. Ply seperation.
I've heard some say that techinically this is NOT the death wobble, but it felt like it to me :) I hit a hole on the FW, doing about 65mph and was damn near to going in the ditch. I completely lost control of the front end and could do nothing but hit the breaks! Tim "ambrin" <ambrin@sbcglobal.net> wrote in message news:Fucjg.49260$Lm5.8279@newssvr12.news.prodigy.c om... > Ok folks, > > I have a 97 TJ, 4 cyl, 5 spd, 95K Miles. Everything's standard, w/ a soft > top. No AC, no 30 cal Mk-1, no blitz blaster radios, CD's, nada... null... > I do have a shotgun rack, however. > > I don't use 4WD that much and this Jeep will never get worn out from MY use. > I never need to drive more than 60 mph, so I don't. Right now, I'm getting > about 19 mpg, for example. I even keep the tires pumped up to spec. > > BUT, the other day, on the way to town, I thought I noticed a slight shimmy > in the steering wheel. On the way home, I didn't notice any steering wheel > shimmy and so I stopped worrying. I also had 300 lbs of chicken, cow, and > dog feed in the back. > > BUT, I remember several posts here about the dreaded "Death Wobble". > > So, exactly what is it? Symptoms? How do I know my TJ has it? Most likely > cause(s)? Best fix? Is this a problem best solved by a "expert" Jeep > mechanic? > > Thanks in advance... > Matt > > > |
Re: Death wobble?
When it happened to me a few years ago, it was from tires. Ply seperation.
I've heard some say that techinically this is NOT the death wobble, but it felt like it to me :) I hit a hole on the FW, doing about 65mph and was damn near to going in the ditch. I completely lost control of the front end and could do nothing but hit the breaks! Tim "ambrin" <ambrin@sbcglobal.net> wrote in message news:Fucjg.49260$Lm5.8279@newssvr12.news.prodigy.c om... > Ok folks, > > I have a 97 TJ, 4 cyl, 5 spd, 95K Miles. Everything's standard, w/ a soft > top. No AC, no 30 cal Mk-1, no blitz blaster radios, CD's, nada... null... > I do have a shotgun rack, however. > > I don't use 4WD that much and this Jeep will never get worn out from MY use. > I never need to drive more than 60 mph, so I don't. Right now, I'm getting > about 19 mpg, for example. I even keep the tires pumped up to spec. > > BUT, the other day, on the way to town, I thought I noticed a slight shimmy > in the steering wheel. On the way home, I didn't notice any steering wheel > shimmy and so I stopped worrying. I also had 300 lbs of chicken, cow, and > dog feed in the back. > > BUT, I remember several posts here about the dreaded "Death Wobble". > > So, exactly what is it? Symptoms? How do I know my TJ has it? Most likely > cause(s)? Best fix? Is this a problem best solved by a "expert" Jeep > mechanic? > > Thanks in advance... > Matt > > > |
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