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2007 Jeep Wrangler

548 messages,  Last post on Aug 22, 2011 at 7:21 AM

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What is this discussion about? Jeep Wrangler Unlimited, SUV

Messages Page 55 of 55

#539 of 548 Re: Balance the tires correctly when they are new [podedwards] by mac24

Oct 19, 2010 (8:53 am)

Replying to: podedwards (Oct 18, 2010 12:57 pm)
My 2007 Wrangler Sahara Unlimited has a little over 25K and I've had no steering problems and the steering damper does not need replacing. I drive it on the highway, back roads in the Colorado Rockies, in snow, ice-whatever. It is a great highway and off-road vehicle.
 
That's good to hear.
 
A bubble balance does not work for rims and tires on newer vehicles. They have to be balanced with the tire on a traction surface. Goodyear calls in "road force" balancing. It is excellent smooth as glass and prevents the hyperbole "death wobble".
 
A bubble balancer works on modern rims and tires as well as it did 70 or 80 years ago when it was the only type of balancer available. It hasn't recently come into vogue, in fact it was the only means of balancing originally
However, a rim/tire combination can only be balanced statically in that way, which is why the rotating balancer commonly see in tire shops was developed.
 
The rotating balancer dynamically balances the wheel resulting in much improved rotational stability.
The next and latest development to the balancer is the Hunter GSP9700 Roadforce machine.
This has nothing to do with Goodyear and is a trademark registered to Hunter.
This machine performs many functions including balancing the wheel under load as though it was being driven on the road.
It also measures any side to side runout of the tread, and can independently measure the imbalance of the rim and the tire, allowing the the tire to be positioned at the best possible location on the rim so that little or no weight will be needed to complete the balance.
You can read all about it and find one near you here: Hunter Roadforce
(I have no connection with Hunter.)
 
Yes, it's the ultimate in wheel balancing, but it's incorrect to say it's a requirement for all modern wheels and tires. There are many millions of vehicles running very smoothly and getting full tire life with tires balanced on a conventional rotational balancer.
 
I suspect that very few steering dampers have needed to be replaced.
 
I think Jeep would disagree, which is why they came out with a modified damper.
 
The occasional uncontrollable progressive cyclic oscillation of the front wheels ('death wobble') in JKs is a product of suspension design, not wheel balance, although an imbalance can trigger the process.
In TJs it's usually worn steering and suspension components (often coupled with larger tires and a suspension lift) that cause the problem.
 
A heavier duty damper will mask the issue, which is Jeep's answer for the JK issue.
However, on a TJ it makes much more sense to replace the worn parts first.
 
Finally, in regard to hyperbole; while I haven't heard of a fatal accident being caused by 'death wobble' I think the term is quite appropriate as the driver usually feel like they're going to die.
The steering wheel is often wrenched from the hands, the vehicle often changes lanes, sometimes ending up on the median or at the side of the road, and the only control the driver has is over the brakes.
It definitely comes under the heading of 'a bad day at the office'!

#540 of 548 Re: severe shaking [lovemyjeep] by brian_1954

Jan 13, 2011 (9:07 pm)

Replying to: lovemyjeep (Apr 21, 2009 5:19 pm)
I own a 07 with 80,000 mi, we bought it new and travel from western Ma.to Cape cod sometimes several times a week. I did notice the problem you mentioned. I brought it to a friend of mine and he rebalanced the tires, which took the problem away. He said the 17 rimes need to be rebalanced more often. I also had a low tire which also compounded the problem and I fixed that problem as well. I love the jeep,,,,

#541 of 548 Re: severe shaking [jeepjunk] by bear0413

Jan 29, 2011 (10:19 am)

Replying to: jeepjunk (Jan 26, 2010 9:38 am)
My wife and i almost Died it just happened again for the 20th time this time could not hold on to wheel we bounced than spun one whole revolution hit frwy wall than i regained control and was able to stop the jeep these are Death Machines have paid for 4 different fixes none work also are Jeep has stalled at 75 miles an hour or how about the ignition that continues to try to engage randomly as you start it, mine is still under Warranty Dearlers no there is no fix report to National Saftey Commision and also Federal Trade Commision these Vehicals need to be Replaced my Wife will not ride in it Again 35,000 dollars of Junk

#542 of 548 Re: 2007 4dr wrangler steering stabilizer issues [surgigirl1] by bear0413

Jan 29, 2011 (10:24 am)

Replying to: surgigirl1 (Sep 12, 2010 3:35 pm)
There is no Fix call National Saftey Commision make report also call Federal Trade Commision and make report, mine is the same way and almost killed myself and my wife last weekend at 70 we hit pot hole shaked so violently i lost control we did one complete revolution hit frwy wall i was able to regain control of jeep and stop drove home 70 miles at 35 these are Death Machines

#543 of 548 Re: 2007 4dr wrangler steering stabilizer issues [surgigirl1] by dmoseley1

May 27, 2011 (9:06 am)

Replying to: surgigirl1 (Sep 12, 2010 3:35 pm)
i just got off the phone with the Chrysler Customer Resolution Group...
888-922-7329 and spoke with rep. " Adam".. i told him about my issue with
the wobble and he is calling my dealership to try to cover the repair expenses... at the very least if i am killed in an accident due to the " death wobble"... i have a case number verifying that the problem was reported to Chrysler Jeep... a start.. will let you know how it goes..
this should be a recall issue !!
Good Luck....

#544 of 548 2007 Jeep Wrangler Sahara 2door Steering issue by steve370

Jun 13, 2011 (8:00 pm)

Hi,
 
I am a recent owner of a 2007 Jeep Sahara with 61,000 miles. Just recently, I am feeling a knocking feeling in the steering. When I slow down I can almost hear the knocking sound coming from the wheel. I took it to the dealer and they said what I am experiencing is normal for an off road vehicle. There needs to be play in the wheel. Something just doesn't feel right...Any thoughts would be appreciated.
 
Steve

#545 of 548 Re: 2007 Jeep Wrangler Sahara 2door Steering issue [steve370] by dmoseley1

Jun 13, 2011 (8:55 pm)

Replying to: steve370 (Jun 13, 2011 8:00 pm)
my wobble started off smaller, it steadily worsened
tell your dealership to type in jeep/ death
wobble and many many sites describing
the problem are on the Internet
I would suggest you call the crysler number above
-- your steering wheel is NoT supposed to
shake so badly you can' t hold on
tell the dealership you want the
damper changed check your trac bar and
heck that the screws are not wallowed
they did give me dealer price. Approx
300..said I could send in for about 25%
reimbursement or wait to see if there is a recall
and get full refund. thats why
its good to have a case number docume ti ng
the problem. someone is going to be hurt
very badly...

#546 of 548 steering issue by steve370

Jun 14, 2011 (1:28 pm)

Thanks but my problem is not as you described. I an feeling a slight knocking in the steering. It is intermittent, and can also hear a slight knocking sound when I slow down. There is a lot of play in the wheel, and it almost feels as if I can feel the gears changing in the steering wheel, if that makes sense?

#547 of 548 Re: steering issue [steve370] by mac24

Jun 15, 2011 (5:46 am)

Replying to: steve370 (Jun 14, 2011 1:28 pm)
It will probably be something associated with one of the wheels, maybe a bearing, or maybe a 'U' joint, either on the front propeller shaft or one of the front half shafts.

#548 of 548 Re: 2007 4dr wrangler steering stabilizer issues [dmoseley1] by pipe06

Aug 22, 2011 (7:21 am)

Replying to: dmoseley1 (May 27, 2011 9:06 am)
Tried your number, but that is the 'high' level guys/gals. The lady was really polite, but sent me to the beginning level. Once you have a case number and it doesn't work out you can call that number. But great find regardless!
 
They don't take direct calls.
 
So I called 800-992-1997 and talked to someone in service. Told them I had the death wobble and got a ticket number and a phone call from the dealer to bring it it for repair....
 
(2008 4dr Sahara Jeep Wrangler - another victim of the DEATH WOBBLE!! or TSB 19-003-06 as it was formally called! for '97-'06 models)

Messages Page 55 of 55

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