Front end violently shaking

[usnavymitchells]

Okay, I have replaced the dampner, sway bar end links. Had a front end alignments and wheels balanced. When I am accelerating between 50 and 53 MPH if I hit even a small bump the front end starts a violent shaking to where I must hard brake to stop it. Sometimes I have even had to bring it all the way down to zero MPH to stop the front end shaking. Anyone else have or had this problem. I have read a few articles that Jeeps had a dampner issue and it was called the "Dance of Death"

Asking for serious help on this one. mrs usnavymitchells was in the Jeep yesterday and it happened with her in there, she won't ride in the Jeep anymore until I get it resloved.

[USMCHarleyJeepGuy]

Death wobble...there are SEVERAL threads on it on most every jeep site on the planet. Start checking EVERYTHING on the front end to ensure it is tight...also check your wheels to see if you threw a large quantity of weight off of it. If everything is tight and the wheels are still in balance, I'll type more later. Be patient and find the problem though...don't just mask it with a new stabilizer. Begin checking torque values on everything on the front suspension as a starting point Dave...control arms, track bar, EVERYTHING!!!

[crazy4ink]

Dave, I think the issue is your steering geometery. I have been trying to figure out why, with us only putting a budget boost in, would your steering go crazy. It just dawned on me that we did your budget boost in conjunction with Rubicon springs. Rubi springs are taller than standard TJ springs. Add their taller height to the budget boost pucks and you are actually about 3.25"s taller than stock. With TJs, anytime you go taller than 3"s, you need to change your pitman arm. I think that if we got you a drop pitman arm, your steering "death wobble" will stop.

[MYOTHERTANKISAJEEP]

Very interesting thread. Although it isnt my Jeep this same thing just happened in the tow rig less than a month ago. Went over RR tracks and heard SNAP then it was literally bouncing like a jumpin bean. I just knew I was headed for death. Can you just picture a Dodge 2500 doin this? Scared the sheet outta me. I ordered the parts through Moog and replaced but it still gives me a wobble. I am scrounging the Dodge forums looking for answers.
http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj101/dixiefix/broke%20truck/DSC06005.jpg?t=1230570722
http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj101/dixiefix/broke%20truck/DSC06003.jpg?t=1230570772

[usnavymitchells]

Dave, I think the issue is your steering geometery. I have been trying to figure out why, with us only putting a budget boost in, would your steering go crazy. It just dawned on me that we did your budget boost in conjunction with Rubicon springs. Rubi springs are taller than standard TJ springs. Add their taller height to the budget boost pucks and you are actually about 3.25"s taller than stock. With TJs, anytime you go taller than 3"s, you need to change your pitman arm. I think that if we got you a drop pitman arm, your steering "death wobble" will stop.

Rob,

Any suggestions as to a good replacement pitman. I also want to replace the front trac bar. It has a slight tweek in it from a deer a couple of years back. Let me know.

Dave

[crazy4ink]

I can get you a drop pitman arm and have it drop shipped to you. I can do the same thing with an adjustable front trackbar. I can have both things shipped here to the shop also. Your call. Let me know when you are ready and I will get them ordered.

[HillBillE]

Death Wobble: That experience that leaves chunks of seat cushion where the sun don't shine!:eek:

Seriously, as mentioned, check/double check everything!

This is very common on lifted rigs, two things that I find are usually responsable, are the track bar (coil sprung rigs) and/or bad shocks.

Steering geometry is up there also.

Bad unit bearing, tire(s) out of balance, bad ball joints can all add to it.

A new steering damper will just mask serious problems.

Sounds like crazy has it, especially if this started after the lift was installed.

[highlandercj-7]

The trac bar is the first item of the list. Irregular tire wear tends to set things into motion and induce DW. Also I have seen the control arm bushings a big factor in this. The first time I experienced this was back in 92, in a friends 89 Z-71 with a 6" Superlift and 38's. We looked at everything and it looked fine, there is no trac bar on the IFS front. I found that later Superlift IFS kits included poly lower contorl arm bushings. Wonder why? We installed the poly bushings and that tighted things up and it went away.
I am having the same issues with my XJ periodicly I am replacing the stock worn suspension with a 4" susp that includes trac bar and upper and lower arms. I'm noping everything new will cure it. Also if you have upper and lower arms remember that most kits do not include the bushings that are in the upper mounts on the differential everything else new and the to worn out rubber bushings there will induce DW.

[usnavymitchells]

Sounds like I need to park it until I can afford all this crap I need to have someone look at/replace. I am not mechanically inclined. I know just enough to be dangerous but not enough to actually pick up a wrench. Can't afford it right now.

[USMCHarleyJeepGuy]

Sounds like I need to park it until I can afford all this crap I need to have someone look at/replace. I am not mechanically inclined. I know just enough to be dangerous but not enough to actually pick up a wrench. Can't afford it right now.

If you aren't mechanically inclined, take it to Rob and Damian.

[usnavymitchells]

That will be the plan when I can afford it. Still recupperating from being laid off for 1.5 years. And with Christmas and 6 kids and 6 grand kids, I am broke for a while.:eek: Hey I can always call up Chris and we can sit in our driveways together and look at our rides...:D

[theyeti1775]

That will be the plan when I can afford it. Still recupperating from being laid off for 1.5 years. And with Christmas and 6 kids and 6 grand kids, I am broke for a while.:eek: Hey I can always call up Chris and we can sit in our driveways together and look at our rides...:D

Your's still moves under it's own power though. :D

[usnavymitchells]

Your's still moves under it's own power though. :D

Yeah, but sometimes it's left to right real fast, repeating until you stop.:eek:

[USMCHarleyJeepGuy]

That will be the plan when I can afford it. Still recupperating from being laid off for 1.5 years. And with Christmas and 6 kids and 6 grand kids, I am broke for a while.:eek: Hey I can always call up Chris and we can sit in our driveways together and look at our rides...:D

As for Chris...House-6 told him he could get some new axles "that were already built and wouldn't break"...homie is going to be GTG before you know it. He also has a new DD, so he can now go SICK with the heep build since he doesn't have to drive it daily. Looks like you'll be staring at yours in the driveway alone old timer. :eek::beer::D

[JavaTee]

Have the caster checked on front axle. It's how the 'C' (where your brakes & hubs mount) is positioned. Typically when lifting a Jeep the front axle tilts forward ust a little (going negative caster), and that's when you go for wild rides. It's easy to fix on a spring suspension by adding a shim on each side. Coil suspension I don't have a clue. An alignment shop can (should be able to) check that for you.
Later, T.J.

[gojeepin]

Are your ball joints newly installed? or are they worn out?

Sometimes if you don't set the preload on the ball joint when installing them they'll wobble when you hit a bump.

Mine did it when I would hit a bump with only the left wheel... the shaking wasn't caster or balance related.

[JEEPINUSA06TJ]

Could be simple as a balance or as complicated as all that other stuff that was already mentioned. i experienced death wobble also. mine was only a new balance.

[soup31314]

My death wobble was from a bad wheel bearing. and a bad tranmission mount.

Plus upgraded to the HD steering setup that has cut it down alot

[korisu56]

As for Chris...House-6 told him he could get some new axles "that were already built and wouldn't break"...homie is going to be GTG before you know it. He also has a new DD, so he can now go SICK with the heep build since he doesn't have to drive it daily. Looks like you'll be staring at yours in the driveway alone old timer. :eek::beer::D

Thanks for getting my back Jeff :) :beer:

[USMCHarleyJeepGuy]

Thanks for getting my back Jeff :) :beer:

You know I always have your back little brother.:beer::D

[lifejeep]

Im just wondering if you got the problem fixed. I ask because the same thing was happening to my 03 TJ when it was stock. If I hit a bump between 50 and 55MPH it went out of control. I changed tires, got an allignment, changed the stablizer, nothing worked, until I put 33" tires on it. I dont know if it was the weight of the tires or what. But I would like to know if you solved the problem so I can check mine out.