Re: Death Wobble
 

Yep, the dealer said "everything was okay". The stabilizer doesn't look all
that big, so maybe a bigger one will help?
No, the steering wheel doesn't go goofy, just starts to shake/wobble and it
increases if I don't slow down NOW.
The one problem is I can't get the jeep to do it all the time.
I went out Sunday and my buddy and I took my camcorder with us. I rode over
the SAME bumps and RR tracks that a week ago make the jeep go nuts.
But I couldn't make it do it no matter what speed or condition I tried! I
KNOW my jeep had the "death wobble" many times but my buddy thinks I'm nuts.
Now I know what people who get abducted by aliens feel like!

Lloyd

"batty505" <batuckan505@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1160482755.071710.236810@i42g2000cwa.googlegr oups.com...
> i'd check your steering stablizer or front shocks.
> does the steering wheel get all goofy when you hit a bump as well?
>
>
> Lloyd Hanning wrote:
>> I've got an 04 Rubicon and it goes nuts too when I cross RR tracks or a
>> weird bump. Seems it only happens when I'm doing 50 - 60. I have to slow
>> down to 30 go keep it under control. The wobble stops, then I can
>> continue.
>> I've only got 15K on it, and I took it back to the dealer and he said he
>> couldn't find anything wrong. I'm thinking about replacing the steering
>> damper with a bigger one. Do you think that would help? If so, any
>> recommendations on what damper to get?
>>
>> Thanks
>> Lloyd
>>
>>
>> "billy ray" <billy_ray@SPAMfuse.net> wrote in message
>> news:461cb$4526f346$422afc51$22255@FUSE.NET...
>> > How common is death wobble on a bone stock 2WD XJ?.
>> >
>> > I have a friend who was trying to describe the XJs recent reaction to
>> > crossing the railroad tracks and all I could make of it was death
>> > wobble......
>> >
>> > Am I missing something or what should I be looking at tomorrow?
>> >
>> > What I know:
>> > '96 XJ Classic 2WD, ~90k miles, 4 liter 3 speed automatic,. Kelly
>> > Celebrity tires mounted and balanced 2 years ago, not aligned at that
>> > time (old tires had no odd wear), condition of shocks unknown,
>> > condition
>> > of suspension unknown. Brakes and rotors new - DW existed before the
>> > brake job)
>> >
>> > Jeeps seems to be otherwise in good shape the 'dw like' sensation only
>> > mentioned as an afterthought within a different conversation last
>> > night.
>> > I don't know if this is the first instance or a recurring problem. (I
>> > suspect it is not a common occurrence on this Jeep as it has never been
>> > mentioned before)
>> >
>> > I will be looking at this over the weekend. Anything in particular,
>> > other
>> > than the above, that I should look for?
>> >
>

Re: Death Wobble
 

Yep, the dealer said "everything was okay". The stabilizer doesn't look all
that big, so maybe a bigger one will help?
No, the steering wheel doesn't go goofy, just starts to shake/wobble and it
increases if I don't slow down NOW.
The one problem is I can't get the jeep to do it all the time.
I went out Sunday and my buddy and I took my camcorder with us. I rode over
the SAME bumps and RR tracks that a week ago make the jeep go nuts.
But I couldn't make it do it no matter what speed or condition I tried! I
KNOW my jeep had the "death wobble" many times but my buddy thinks I'm nuts.
Now I know what people who get abducted by aliens feel like!

Lloyd

"batty505" <batuckan505@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1160482755.071710.236810@i42g2000cwa.googlegr oups.com...
> i'd check your steering stablizer or front shocks.
> does the steering wheel get all goofy when you hit a bump as well?
>
>
> Lloyd Hanning wrote:
>> I've got an 04 Rubicon and it goes nuts too when I cross RR tracks or a
>> weird bump. Seems it only happens when I'm doing 50 - 60. I have to slow
>> down to 30 go keep it under control. The wobble stops, then I can
>> continue.
>> I've only got 15K on it, and I took it back to the dealer and he said he
>> couldn't find anything wrong. I'm thinking about replacing the steering
>> damper with a bigger one. Do you think that would help? If so, any
>> recommendations on what damper to get?
>>
>> Thanks
>> Lloyd
>>
>>
>> "billy ray" <billy_ray@SPAMfuse.net> wrote in message
>> news:461cb$4526f346$422afc51$22255@FUSE.NET...
>> > How common is death wobble on a bone stock 2WD XJ?.
>> >
>> > I have a friend who was trying to describe the XJs recent reaction to
>> > crossing the railroad tracks and all I could make of it was death
>> > wobble......
>> >
>> > Am I missing something or what should I be looking at tomorrow?
>> >
>> > What I know:
>> > '96 XJ Classic 2WD, ~90k miles, 4 liter 3 speed automatic,. Kelly
>> > Celebrity tires mounted and balanced 2 years ago, not aligned at that
>> > time (old tires had no odd wear), condition of shocks unknown,
>> > condition
>> > of suspension unknown. Brakes and rotors new - DW existed before the
>> > brake job)
>> >
>> > Jeeps seems to be otherwise in good shape the 'dw like' sensation only
>> > mentioned as an afterthought within a different conversation last
>> > night.
>> > I don't know if this is the first instance or a recurring problem. (I
>> > suspect it is not a common occurrence on this Jeep as it has never been
>> > mentioned before)
>> >
>> > I will be looking at this over the weekend. Anything in particular,
>> > other
>> > than the above, that I should look for?
>> >
>

Re: Death Wobble
 

Yep, the dealer said "everything was okay". The stabilizer doesn't look all
that big, so maybe a bigger one will help?
No, the steering wheel doesn't go goofy, just starts to shake/wobble and it
increases if I don't slow down NOW.
The one problem is I can't get the jeep to do it all the time.
I went out Sunday and my buddy and I took my camcorder with us. I rode over
the SAME bumps and RR tracks that a week ago make the jeep go nuts.
But I couldn't make it do it no matter what speed or condition I tried! I
KNOW my jeep had the "death wobble" many times but my buddy thinks I'm nuts.
Now I know what people who get abducted by aliens feel like!

Lloyd

"batty505" <batuckan505@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1160482755.071710.236810@i42g2000cwa.googlegr oups.com...
> i'd check your steering stablizer or front shocks.
> does the steering wheel get all goofy when you hit a bump as well?
>
>
> Lloyd Hanning wrote:
>> I've got an 04 Rubicon and it goes nuts too when I cross RR tracks or a
>> weird bump. Seems it only happens when I'm doing 50 - 60. I have to slow
>> down to 30 go keep it under control. The wobble stops, then I can
>> continue.
>> I've only got 15K on it, and I took it back to the dealer and he said he
>> couldn't find anything wrong. I'm thinking about replacing the steering
>> damper with a bigger one. Do you think that would help? If so, any
>> recommendations on what damper to get?
>>
>> Thanks
>> Lloyd
>>
>>
>> "billy ray" <billy_ray@SPAMfuse.net> wrote in message
>> news:461cb$4526f346$422afc51$22255@FUSE.NET...
>> > How common is death wobble on a bone stock 2WD XJ?.
>> >
>> > I have a friend who was trying to describe the XJs recent reaction to
>> > crossing the railroad tracks and all I could make of it was death
>> > wobble......
>> >
>> > Am I missing something or what should I be looking at tomorrow?
>> >
>> > What I know:
>> > '96 XJ Classic 2WD, ~90k miles, 4 liter 3 speed automatic,. Kelly
>> > Celebrity tires mounted and balanced 2 years ago, not aligned at that
>> > time (old tires had no odd wear), condition of shocks unknown,
>> > condition
>> > of suspension unknown. Brakes and rotors new - DW existed before the
>> > brake job)
>> >
>> > Jeeps seems to be otherwise in good shape the 'dw like' sensation only
>> > mentioned as an afterthought within a different conversation last
>> > night.
>> > I don't know if this is the first instance or a recurring problem. (I
>> > suspect it is not a common occurrence on this Jeep as it has never been
>> > mentioned before)
>> >
>> > I will be looking at this over the weekend. Anything in particular,
>> > other
>> > than the above, that I should look for?
>> >
>

Re: Death Wobble
 

Lloyd Hanning wrote:
> Yep, the dealer said "everything was okay". The stabilizer doesn't
> look all that big, so maybe a bigger one will help?
> No, the steering wheel doesn't go goofy, just starts to shake/wobble
> and it increases if I don't slow down NOW.
> The one problem is I can't get the jeep to do it all the time.
> I went out Sunday and my buddy and I took my camcorder with us. I
> rode over the SAME bumps and RR tracks that a week ago make the jeep
> go nuts. But I couldn't make it do it no matter what speed or condition I
> tried! I KNOW my jeep had the "death wobble" many times but my buddy
> thinks I'm nuts. Now I know what people who get abducted by aliens
> feel like!

Your buddy was adding weight to the vehicle and that changes how
the suspension reacts. The ZJ wouldn't DW with a passenger either.
You almost need someone to follow you and have their passenger run
the camcorder. (or possibly have them sit directly behind you)

Did the dealer check your wheel balance? That's a big cause of DW.

--
DougW

Re: Death Wobble
 

Lloyd Hanning wrote:
> Yep, the dealer said "everything was okay". The stabilizer doesn't
> look all that big, so maybe a bigger one will help?
> No, the steering wheel doesn't go goofy, just starts to shake/wobble
> and it increases if I don't slow down NOW.
> The one problem is I can't get the jeep to do it all the time.
> I went out Sunday and my buddy and I took my camcorder with us. I
> rode over the SAME bumps and RR tracks that a week ago make the jeep
> go nuts. But I couldn't make it do it no matter what speed or condition I
> tried! I KNOW my jeep had the "death wobble" many times but my buddy
> thinks I'm nuts. Now I know what people who get abducted by aliens
> feel like!

Your buddy was adding weight to the vehicle and that changes how
the suspension reacts. The ZJ wouldn't DW with a passenger either.
You almost need someone to follow you and have their passenger run
the camcorder. (or possibly have them sit directly behind you)

Did the dealer check your wheel balance? That's a big cause of DW.

--
DougW

Re: Death Wobble
 

Lloyd Hanning wrote:
> Yep, the dealer said "everything was okay". The stabilizer doesn't
> look all that big, so maybe a bigger one will help?
> No, the steering wheel doesn't go goofy, just starts to shake/wobble
> and it increases if I don't slow down NOW.
> The one problem is I can't get the jeep to do it all the time.
> I went out Sunday and my buddy and I took my camcorder with us. I
> rode over the SAME bumps and RR tracks that a week ago make the jeep
> go nuts. But I couldn't make it do it no matter what speed or condition I
> tried! I KNOW my jeep had the "death wobble" many times but my buddy
> thinks I'm nuts. Now I know what people who get abducted by aliens
> feel like!

Your buddy was adding weight to the vehicle and that changes how
the suspension reacts. The ZJ wouldn't DW with a passenger either.
You almost need someone to follow you and have their passenger run
the camcorder. (or possibly have them sit directly behind you)

Did the dealer check your wheel balance? That's a big cause of DW.

--
DougW

Re: Death Wobble
 

best part about this place is that you will correct me if/when im wrong. nice diagram.

And remember, real JEEPs have very few JEEP parts on them, and I think those parts are
frame, body and vin tag.

John in Vegas

"L.W.(Bill) ------ III" wrote:

> Hi John,
> Familiarize yourself with their names:
> http://www.----------.com/temp/TJalignment.jpg
> God Bless America, Bill O|||||||O
> mailto:--------------------
>
> John in Vegas wrote:
> >
> > Fixing the death wobble on my JEEP was easy, getting someone to tell me why it
> > happened wasnt so easy. It was the link that holds the axle from going side to
> > side (forgot what they call it). It was the connection at the axle which was
> > loose. If you catch it early enough, it wont make the bolt hole egg shaped. Just
> > tighten up the link, if I remember correctly, it takes a big torx.
> >
> > John in Vegas

Re: Death Wobble
 

best part about this place is that you will correct me if/when im wrong. nice diagram.

And remember, real JEEPs have very few JEEP parts on them, and I think those parts are
frame, body and vin tag.

John in Vegas

"L.W.(Bill) ------ III" wrote:

> Hi John,
> Familiarize yourself with their names:
> http://www.----------.com/temp/TJalignment.jpg
> God Bless America, Bill O|||||||O
> mailto:--------------------
>
> John in Vegas wrote:
> >
> > Fixing the death wobble on my JEEP was easy, getting someone to tell me why it
> > happened wasnt so easy. It was the link that holds the axle from going side to
> > side (forgot what they call it). It was the connection at the axle which was
> > loose. If you catch it early enough, it wont make the bolt hole egg shaped. Just
> > tighten up the link, if I remember correctly, it takes a big torx.
> >
> > John in Vegas

Re: Death Wobble
 

best part about this place is that you will correct me if/when im wrong. nice diagram.

And remember, real JEEPs have very few JEEP parts on them, and I think those parts are
frame, body and vin tag.

John in Vegas

"L.W.(Bill) ------ III" wrote:

> Hi John,
> Familiarize yourself with their names:
> http://www.----------.com/temp/TJalignment.jpg
> God Bless America, Bill O|||||||O
> mailto:--------------------
>
> John in Vegas wrote:
> >
> > Fixing the death wobble on my JEEP was easy, getting someone to tell me why it
> > happened wasnt so easy. It was the link that holds the axle from going side to
> > side (forgot what they call it). It was the connection at the axle which was
> > loose. If you catch it early enough, it wont make the bolt hole egg shaped. Just
> > tighten up the link, if I remember correctly, it takes a big torx.
> >
> > John in Vegas

Re: Death Wobble
 

for all you guys saying the stabilizer, let me say this. I don't have one, my
front only shakes because of bent rims, bad tires or something else that is bent
or broke. If you have the "DEATH WOBBLE", fix the problem, not cover it up. It
WILL get progressively worse! As for the shocks, they would only be dampening an
existing problem.

John in Vegas

batty505 wrote:

> i'd check your steering stablizer or front shocks.
> does the steering wheel get all goofy when you hit a bump as well?
>
> Lloyd Hanning wrote:
> > I've got an 04 Rubicon and it goes nuts too when I cross RR tracks or a
> > weird bump. Seems it only happens when I'm doing 50 - 60. I have to slow
> > down to 30 go keep it under control. The wobble stops, then I can continue.
> > I've only got 15K on it, and I took it back to the dealer and he said he
> > couldn't find anything wrong. I'm thinking about replacing the steering
> > damper with a bigger one. Do you think that would help? If so, any
> > recommendations on what damper to get?
> >
> > Thanks
> > Lloyd
> >
> >
> > "billy ray" <billy_ray@SPAMfuse.net> wrote in message
> > news:461cb$4526f346$422afc51$22255@FUSE.NET...
> > > How common is death wobble on a bone stock 2WD XJ?.
> > >
> > > I have a friend who was trying to describe the XJs recent reaction to
> > > crossing the railroad tracks and all I could make of it was death
> > > wobble......
> > >
> > > Am I missing something or what should I be looking at tomorrow?
> > >
> > > What I know:
> > > '96 XJ Classic 2WD, ~90k miles, 4 liter 3 speed automatic,. Kelly
> > > Celebrity tires mounted and balanced 2 years ago, not aligned at that
> > > time (old tires had no odd wear), condition of shocks unknown, condition
> > > of suspension unknown. Brakes and rotors new - DW existed before the
> > > brake job)
> > >
> > > Jeeps seems to be otherwise in good shape the 'dw like' sensation only
> > > mentioned as an afterthought within a different conversation last night.
> > > I don't know if this is the first instance or a recurring problem. (I
> > > suspect it is not a common occurrence on this Jeep as it has never been
> > > mentioned before)
> > >
> > > I will be looking at this over the weekend. Anything in particular, other
> > > than the above, that I should look for?
> > >