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Jeep Wrangler Wheel Wobble

54 messages,  Last post on Jul 09, 2012 at 4:26 PM

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What is this discussion about? Jeep Wrangler, Jeep, SUV

Messages Page 2 of 6

#5 of 54 Re: Jeep wheel wobble [walleye6] by steve_ HOST

Jul 20, 2009 (4:59 pm)

Replying to: walleye6 (May 31, 2009 5:10 pm)
There are a lot of posts here about this issue (Jeep owners call it "death wobble"). Check the other Wrangler maintenance discussions or search for it.
 
Here's what one owner did with his TJ.
 
This forum post is a good one too.

#7 of 54 jeep "wobble" by wranglerfan

Jun 05, 2010 (4:09 pm)

ok, i have read the threads on this website, and not sure it that (wobble) is what my problem is..
I have a 99 jeep wrangler and have had it for almost 6yrs, never had any problems..now i have put smaller tires, went from 32 to 31. and it drove nice for about a week..started with just a little small shimmer.,,well low and behold lost reardriveshaft on interstate,,since then replaced that and now got one heck of a shake...does not wait till i hit 45mph. but as soon as i start moving,,by the time im in 3rd gear, anything on dash is on floor..have replaced driveshaft,universals had tires balanced again, and it acts like it has no get up and go..any suggestions as to where i start at trying to fix this problem.. and when i took it to have them check it, was told tierods look good..

#8 of 54 Re: jeep "wobble" [wranglerfan] by mac24

Jun 06, 2010 (7:55 am)

Replying to: wranglerfan (Jun 05, 2010 4:09 pm)
If as you say, the only item that was changed before the vibration started was the rear propeller shaft, then that's the best place to start looking for a solution.
(Hopefully, although it wouldn't be connected to the vibration, there was no damage to the brake or fuel lines when the propshaft was thrashing around?)
 
On the face of it, it sounds like you either have an unbalanced propshaft, or the 'U' joints are out of phase.
It's also possible that when the old shaft failed the rubber transmission mount was damaged, or that there was even damage to the transfer case output shaft or it's housing.
 
There's no reason to suspect wheel balance or steering/suspension wear should have suddenly appeared.

#9 of 54 Re: jeep "wobble" [mac24] by wranglerfan

Jun 06, 2010 (4:54 pm)

Replying to: mac24 (Jun 06, 2010 7:55 am)
Before driveshaft feel out, there was a little shake, but not bad enough for me to worry,,Changed steering stabalizer today, no difference.,, guess i need to start with the rearend.and work from there. How would you know if transfer case was damaged.

#10 of 54 Re: jeep "wobble" [wranglerfan] by mac24

Jun 07, 2010 (8:27 am)

Replying to: wranglerfan (Jun 06, 2010 4:54 pm)
.,, guess i need to start with the rearend.and work from there. How would you know if transfer case was damaged.
 
It's likely that the boot where the rear propshaft enters the transfer case would be leaking oil.
You should also remove the propshaft so that you can watch the splined output shaft in the transfer case rotate; it should be perfectly centered and turn without any wobble or deviation.
 

 
While the propshaft is out take a look at the yoke on the rear axle to see if there's any play there as well.
 
What was the cause of the propshaft failure, a seized 'U' joint or was it something else?

#11 of 54 death wobble by toplessnpa

Sep 22, 2010 (11:08 pm)

hello there !!!! i have a 2007 jeep wrangler x with exactly what everone is describing!!!!!.....so far i ve replaced the steering stabilizer (rancho).....tires rotated and balanced....pro comp shocks all around.....pro comp trac bar...upper and lower ball joints on left side and i still have it.....so yea i m ready to cry....lol...dont really wanna get rid of it too much invested but then again dont know that i really wanna keep it!!!!!! when it happens unexpectedly its tooooooo scary

#12 of 54 death wobble by toplessnpa

Sep 26, 2010 (7:49 pm)

ok well just an update here....so i put my jeep in 4wd and it sounded like the whole front end was gonna fall off when i turned the wheels...yea i could only go a foot or two and then i feel some resistance...so stopping at the garage tom right away...and i hoping this is a 2 for one deal and fixes the dw too.....i just cant figure out why in 2wd it seems fine except for the wobble

#13 of 54 Re: death wobble [toplessnpa] by mac24

Sep 28, 2010 (8:57 am)

Replying to: toplessnpa (Sep 26, 2010 7:49 pm)
so i put my jeep in 4wd and it sounded like the whole front end was gonna fall off when i turned the wheels...yea i could only go a foot or two and then i feel some resistance.
 
If you engage 4WD on a hard surface it will be difficult to turn the steering wheel and you'll hear it when the tires skip and jump.
Perfectly normal.

#14 of 54 Re: Jeep wheel wobble [wobbleripoff] by podedwards

Oct 20, 2010 (11:01 am)

Replying to: wobbleripoff (Jun 24, 2009 8:46 pm)
Before you sell your Wrangler, consider this. The problem may not be the suspension at all. Tires on newer vehicles, Jeeps are no exception, have been bubble balanced at the factory so if you drive a new one the wheels will be balanced-sort of. But bubble balancing won't do as the tires begin to wear after 2K to 3K. The tires need to be balanced on a friction surface (what Goodyear calls ground force) to be properly balanced. If not then the tires will begin to wear irregularly with flat spots and uneven areas and the car will feel like the front end is bouncing and it is.
 
Once tires have started this, nothing can be done to correct the problem with them. Even friction balancing won't help.
 
It is very important to have new tires friction balanced from the get go. If they are they will develop good wear patterns. Re-balancing about every 8k will keep them that way. I have been there.
 
On my 2006 Grand Cherokee, I got 60k on the the original tires-never a problem. It now has 70K and the original brakes and still have at least 40k left on them. What does brake wear have to do with properly balanced tires? Well a whole lot. Vibration from tires out of balance damages the front end and brake components.
 
My 2007 Wrangler Unlimited has 30K and no problems with vibration what so ever and don't expect any. I had the tires friction balanced after I picked it up new and have had it re-balanced 4 times.
 
This deal is one the of the Occam's Razor examples. Find the least complex answer. Put a new set of tires on the vehicle and have them friction balanced. The worst that can happen is that a prospective buyer will see new tires.
 
Many people suggest complicated answers for simple problems. I don't know if they are trying to seem intelligent or they just have a love of complexity. But any event, follow and simple logical step by step approach. Don't assume the tires are properly balanced-make sure.
 
A steering damper should last for years so if it has not, something has damaged it-like tires not properly balanced. Front suspensions are incredibly durable, as are drive trains and rear ends. Look for a simple basic reason and more than likely, that's what it is.

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