Where To Start With Death Wobble....

y2kcrawler

y2kcrawler

Well-Known Member
Joined
Feb 4, 2008
Location
Lake Wylie, SC
Great, so now I get to experience the infamous death wobble! As I have it, I was backing out the driveway the other night and my front pass. tire rolled up and off a tree (i didnt see it) and took a small crash down. Now, this shouldnt be a problem I would think with 35" tires but it was on a rebuilt D30 (and by 'rebuilt' I mean it was bend at one point then straightened).

So here's the deal, Im getting ready to throw some brand new rubbers on and I dont want them getting all jacked up from the wobble (not to mention flippings not too fun).

I have a 2000 TJ, 4" sus, 2" body, stock control arm (as far as I know). I checked the wheel where the wobble was coming from, there was a loose lug nut. Tightened, now the wobble went from 35 mph to 45?!? My coil spring on the pass side is crooked and Im not sure if the perch is bent or what but the quick disko is also a lil bent compared to the drivers side.

LCA torque settings? What should they be at? Practically I dont have too much time to spend on this so where should I start before I have to start replacing stuff?

Thanks. And I have all day 11/19/08 to work on this. :bounce2:
 
if there are no worn parts, It is usually a lack of caster. Especially lifted with stock arms.
 
you can bring it by the house if you want me to take a look at it. could be several things.
 
I can have pics tomorrow. 99XJ, you gonna be around tomorrow?
 
72Rockcruiser said:
if there are no worn parts, It is usually a lack of caster. Especially lifted with stock arms.
Click to expand...

I dont beleive the caster is off. I am going to measure it tomorrow. What is the average width again 53"?
 
Have someone push from the side as you lay down and watch. 95% guaranteed to find it from that! Look for all mentioned above + steering box cracking the frame. That was my death whobble experience. Welded up with C channel and my Bronco is good to go now...
 
experienced this before on a tj with 6" of lift. fingd out torque specs for track bar and make sure they are torqued to these. this fixed my prob.
 
After replacing about every piece in my front end, mine ended up being track bar related, specifically where it mounted on the axle side. There are lots of different causes though and I think multiple worn items (or maybe damaged pieces in your case) often work together to cause it. Like someone else said, get under the front and have someone turn the wheel hard side to side and look closely at every possible area for any movement.
 
Check that bushing on the Upper Control arm at the axle housing that's pressed into the housing. Oil leaks down on to it and destroys that bushing. that's what caused mine.

I'd still be interested in picts of what's bent.
 
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