Death Wobble after Mopar LCA install

[coukos34]

Have had an RC 2.5 spacer lift and 35’s for over a year with no issues. Bought the mopar LCA’s to give a bit more caster (only $60), and had my dealer install while getting an oil change. Steering does seem a bit less wandering, but today on the highway had my first instance of death wobble, and it was pretty scary. Drove around a bit today looking to go over bumps and it’s definitely a lot more wobbly. Doesn’t make sense from just the 1/4 in longer LCA’s, has to be something lose from the dealership install, yea?

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[sweet88gt]

Anytime I have heard of death wobble it was due to unwanted movement in the steering parts. Loose or just too much play in the joints.

 

[coukos34]

Anytime I have heard of death wobble it was due to unwanted movement in the steering parts. Loose or just too much play in the joints.

Right, so likely something loose from install? I’ve thought about getting a steering stabilizer, but this is something different and sudden after they worked on it.

 

[quietpeen]

Check to make sure all the bolts for the lower control arms are torqued to 190 ft. Lbs

 

[quietpeen]

While you are checking that check the torque on the upper control arms, and the track bar.

 

[coukos34]

While you are checking that check the torque on the upper control arms, and the track bar.

thanks. I was just looking at the stock LCA’s and they have protruding rubber bushings. My mopar didn’t have that, and do seem rather sloppy if I try moving them with my hands. I’m guessing I’m missing something and thus the looseness. Trying to find if they use the same rubber bushings, or something different.

 

[sweet88gt]

Right, so likely something loose from install? I’ve thought about getting a steering stabilizer, but this is something different and sudden after they worked on it.

Yes I would double check the bolts like mentioned as the only thing that changed is the LCA but any of the bolts could be out of spec.
I am waiting on my Mopar LCA as we speak but no lift. Im looking for more caster in the stock form.

 

[blnewt]

thanks. I was just looking at the stock LCA’s and they have protruding rubber bushings. My mopar didn’t have that, and do seem rather sloppy if I try moving them with my hands. I’m guessing I’m missing something and thus the looseness. Trying to find if they use the same rubber bushings, or something different.

Here's my LCA install post, you'll see the longer LCAs(on the left) have an inboard seal, the stock LCAs have the seal outboard.
https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/rubicon-suspension-on-2-door-sport.40700/#post-919317

 

[charlie00tj]

Have had an RC 2.5 spacer lift and 35’s for over a year with no issues. Bought the mopar LCA’s to give a bit more caster (only $60), and had my dealer install while getting an oil change. Steering does seem a bit less wandering, but today on the highway had my first instance of death wobble, and it was pretty scary. Drove around a bit today looking to go over bumps and it’s definitely a lot more wobbly. Doesn’t make sense from just the 1/4 in longer LCA’s, has to be something lose from the dealership install, yea?

I had a serious death wobble with my Jeep. Turns out the dealer installed the recall steering dampener UPSIDE DOWN. Apparently, there's a bump that needs to be facing up.

 

[coukos34]

Here's my LCA install post, you'll see the longer LCAs(on the left) have an inboard seal, the stock LCAs have the seal outboard.
https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/rubicon-suspension-on-2-door-sport.40700/#post-919317

Thank you!!! This is what I needed confirmed. So it’s not the LCA’s. Either something was assembled loose (not sure what else needs to even be touched for an LCA install), or perhaps some other bushing was damaged during install. Makes no sense otherwise...

 

[Swagger]

Is that a seal or is it a rubber bushing that should have transfered to the new LCAs?

 

[Roky]

Have had an RC 2.5 spacer lift and 35’s for over a year with no issues. Bought the mopar LCA’s to give a bit more caster (only $60), and had my dealer install while getting an oil change. Steering does seem a bit less wandering, but today on the highway had my first instance of death wobble, and it was pretty scary. Drove around a bit today looking to go over bumps and it’s definitely a lot more wobbly. Doesn’t make sense from just the 1/4 in longer LCA’s, has to be something lose from the dealership install, yea?

I would check your track bar if it’s stock. You’ve been on a 2.5 “ lift and 35s, for over a year, that means your front axle has been off center about a 1/2” for that long, I’m guessing that the change in caster might have put more strain on the axle side bushing. It’s just a theory, but sometimes, not all of the time, DW is do to worn track bar bushings. If you’re gonna stay on the 2.5” lift, I recommend getting an adjustable front track bar, and a rear track bar relocation bracket. Just my .02.

 

[jeepingib]

Is that a seal or is it a rubber bushing that should have transfered to the new LCAs?

Different bushing design is all. The rubber that you see in the stock bushing is a part of the bushings cushion. The Mopar ones are a little different in design and don't have that same portion.

 

[coukos34]

I would check your track bar if it’s stock. You’ve been on a 2.5 “ lift and 35s, for over a year, that means your front axle has been off center about a 1/2” for that long, I’m guessing that the change in caster might have put more strain on the axle side bushing. It’s just a theory, but sometimes, not all of the time, DW is do to worn track bar bushings. If you’re gonna stay on the 2.5” lift, I recommend getting an adjustable front track bar, and a rear track bar relocation bracket. Just my .02.

Appreciate the 2 cents actually. As mentioned, I was thinking of adding the steering track bar, but the immediate concern was that as soon as I added the LCA, I now have “wobble” that I never experienced prior, and given the timing, am 100% that is was the result of the LCA install. Whether it was the LCA’s themselves, or some other side, is what I am trying to determine.

 

[Roky]

Appreciate the 2 cents actually. As mentioned, I was thinking of adding the steering track bar, but the immediate concern was that as soon as I added the LCA, I now have “wobble” that I never experienced prior, and given the timing, am 100% that is was the result of the LCA install. Whether it was the LCA’s themselves, or some other side, is what I am trying to determine.

Yeah, copy that....... dw is hard to pinpoint at times.

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