2000 WJ Death Wobble

[jeep828]

long story short. WJ sat with bad motor for 2 years. I picked it up. Before I added oversized wheels and tires I had the wobble at 50. Installed a budget lift and larger wheels/tires. Wobble increased.

I’ve already ordered sway bar bushings to replace.

What other bushings should I be replacing?

 

[getstucksome]

Below are the things I would check first to see if there is any play.

Ball joints
Unit Bearings
All tie rod ends
track bar bushings
control arm bushings

There is probably something in one of those that is causing the issues. How well balanced are your new wheels/tires? I would assume it's something on your vehicle that's causing it since it's happening both before and after putting the new wheels and tires on.

 

[shawn]

Nailed it. Sway bar bushings don't have anything to do with it.

Incidentally, every Jeep I've seen with "uncurable death wobble" was fixed with a new track bar.

 

[jeep828]

Nailed it. Sway bar bushings don't have anything to do with it.

Incidentally, every Jeep I've seen with "uncurable death wobble" was fixed with a new track bar.

Thanks for your expert opinion. Should I need to replace the track bar entirely or just the bushings attached?

I noticed the sway bar bushing had long moved on when I installed the budget lift so it was in my best interest to replace.

 

[shawn]

Depends on what your time is worth. The entire track bar is $55, the bushings are $15. Is it worth $40 to you to not have to screw around with the bushings?

But to get back to the original post and the first reply, there is a list of things that you should check for play before throwing parts at it.

 

[ponykilr]

Nailed it. Sway bar bushings don't have anything to do with it.

Incidentally, every Jeep I've seen with "uncurable death wobble" was fixed with a new track bar.

Thread

 

[jeep828]

Depends on what your time is worth. The entire track bar is $55, the bushings are $15. Is it worth $40 to you to not have to screw around with the bushings?

But to get back to the original post and the first reply, there is a list of things that you should check for play before throwing parts at it.

Gotcha. Thanks again for the guidance.

 

[tkeaton]

Is the trans cross member in the correct orientation?

 

[getstucksome]

Below are the things I would check first to see if there is any play.

Ball joints
Unit Bearings
All tie rod ends
track bar bushings
control arm bushings

There is probably something in one of those that is causing the issues. How well balanced are your new wheels/tires? I would assume it's something on your vehicle that's causing it since it's happening both before and after putting the new wheels and tires on.

Just to add a little bit more.

Ball joints/Unit bearings can be checked by jacking up one side and putting hands at 12 and 6 o clock on the tire and pushing/pulling the tire in and out (push top in, pull bottom out at the same time, switch directions, repeat). You may be able to physically see the play or at least feel it. I just did ball joints on an axle and I could physically see the upper ball joint moving and could 100% feel it when wiggling the tire.

The other things to check should be able to be identified with the vehicle on the ground and off; get someone to turn the steering wheel slightly in either direction. You should be able to see movement of a TRE/track bar/bushing. That, or put your hand on each component and see if you can feel any popping or play.

Whatever is loose or worn, that's the thing to start with first.