Bump steer or death wobble?

[CptFloridaMan]

Hey all,

Finally got it on video, been looking for a bump in the road that I can replicate it pretty consistently.

Either way, when it does happen, it does eventually stop, sometimes it lasts longer than this time, sometimes it’s pretty quick.

Is this is matter of worn tie rod, or drag link? And if so, would a stronger steering stab and new linkages likely solve this? I assume it’s the weight of the tires against the stock steering etc. Track bar and BJs have about about 15-18k on them, but steering is all stock 72k miles. Youtube link attached, second bump.

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[DarthAWM]

I would say you are getting baby death wobble there, definitely check your steering a suspension linkages for loose connectors or unusual play.

 

[Roky]

Hey all,

Finally got it on video, been looking for a bump in the road that I can replicate it pretty consistently.

Either way, when it does happen, it does eventually stop, sometimes it lasts longer than this time, sometimes it’s pretty quick.

Is this is matter of worn tie rod, or drag link? And if so, would a stronger steering stab and new linkages likely solve this? I assume it’s the weight of the tires against the stock steering etc. Track bar and BJs have about about 15-18k on them, but steering is all stock 72k miles. Youtube link attached, second bump.

What’s your setup, steering wise, stock or any mods ?

 

[jaymz]

Definitely not death wobble.

Is this is matter of worn tie rod, or drag link?

Maybe.

And if so, would a stronger steering stab and new linkages likely solve this?

SS won't "fix" it, but may hide it for a while. Replacing my drag link and tie rod fixed the same problem on mine (both had a worn ball joint on one end), until the right side ball joints started getting sloppy. It's barely noticeable, but it's there.

 

[CptFloridaMan]

What’s your setup, steering wise, stock or any mods ?

RK track bar, stock linkages and steering stab, stock soda can aluminum knuckles, and dynatrac BJs. Steering has 72k on it, but BJs and track bar have about 18k ish miles. Did it around the 55k mile range.

Definitely not death wobble.



Maybe.



SS won't "fix" it, but may hide it for a while. Replacing my drag link and tie rod fixed the same problem on mine (both had a worn ball joint on one end), until the right side ball joints started getting sloppy. It's barely noticeable, but it's there.

Heard, I’ve been putting off getting under the jeep since I’ve been working for about 8 days straight, finally a day off tomorrow so i’ll have a chance to enlist the gf to cycle the steering wheel.

When you noticed the play, was it vertical play or was it general slop when cycling steering?

 

[jaymz]

I honestly never got around to checking it on the vehicle. I was "getting around to it" when I noticed horrible wear on the outside of my front tires. I thought maybe I just screwed up the toe setting when I put my lift on. I was being lazy so I dropped it at my buddy's shop to check the alignment and he found the worn parts. That's also when I first saw that the passenger ball joints had some wear (camber slightly out of spec). I ordered replacements from Metalcloak and when I swapped out the OEM stuff the track bar ball joint was pretty loose, and one tie rod ball joint was flopping like a fish out of water.

 

[kah.mun.rah]

Are you still using the original steering stabilizer? If so, I would start there since the early years were prone to issues.

 

[Roky]

RK track bar, stock linkages and steering stab, stock soda can aluminum knuckles, and dynatrac BJs. Steering has 72k on it, but BJs and track bar have about 18k ish miles. Did it around the 55k mile range.




Heard, I’ve been putting off getting under the jeep since I’ve been working for about 8 days straight, finally a day off tomorrow so i’ll have a chance to enlist the gf to cycle the steering wheel.

When you noticed the play, was it vertical play or was it general slop when cycling steering?

When you’re under there, it helps to feel the joints, as well as look at them, sometimes you can feel a movement and not hear it….

 

[CptFloridaMan]

Are you still using the original steering stabilizer? If so, I would start there since the early years were prone to issues.

I had that recall done, but I always under the impression that it’s a bandaid for wobbles or shimmy’s.

When you’re under there, it helps to feel the joints, as well as look at them, sometimes you can feel a movement and not hear it….

I’ll update the thread whenever I do get under it. Assuming i get out of work at a decent time tonight or wait till tomorrow. Will start feeling around too.

 

[kah.mun.rah]

I had that recall done, but I always under the impression that it’s a bandaid for wobbles or shimmy’s.

A steering stabilizer can be a Band-Aid if the root cause is something else; however, a bad stabilizer itself can be the root cause.

 

[tk1700]

I was recently getting similar wobble/vibrations on both my JLs with just over 50k miles and stock steering set up. I retorqued all the linkage and replace steering stabilizers. Now they are as smooth as when they were new. While I was at it I also put new shocks on.

 

[dragoneggs]

A steering stabilizer can be a Band-Aid if the root cause is something else; however, a bad stabilizer itself can be the root cause.

How?

I’d check your bushings in your drag link and tie rod especially if those are still OEM.

An easy way to rule out the SS is just remove it. Drive it and see if results are different. Then go ahead and upgrade your SS regardless. It will improve your steering feel no doubt.

 

[alphawolff]

Something we've been meaning to try here, but install a stabilizer for either the 392 or Mojave. They're even cheaper than the standard JL one.

68624107AA or 68624106AA. The 107 is the Mojave and 106 is the 392. They're like $40 each. The standard one is 105. Give either or a try and see.

 

[kah.mun.rah]

How?

I’d check your bushings in your drag link and tie rod especially if those are still OEM.

An easy way to rule out the SS is just remove it. Drive it and see if results are different. Then go ahead and upgrade your SS regardless. It will improve your steering feel no doubt.

When my 2018 OEM stabilizer was defective I had the wobble which went away after upgrading to a Fox. On my 2021 the TeraFlex stabilizer bracket broke, wobble started, and went away after the bracket was repaired. As far as the other suspension is concerned, a loose Track bar connection is typically the culprit to check before the drag link and tie rod.

 

[dragoneggs]

When my 2018 OEM stabilizer was defective I had the wobble which went away after upgrading to a Fox. On my 2021 the TeraFlex stabilizer bracket broke, wobble started, and went away after the bracket was repaired. As far as the other suspension is concerned, a loose Track bar connection is typically the culprit to check before the drag link and tie rod.

Agreed but I thought I read he upgraded his track bar. Could have read it wrong. What I am saying is I find it hard to believe a SS ‘causes’ DW. A worn or defective SS could do nothing to mask it but it in itself is not the cause/problem.

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