Death Wobble - Help! (Solved)

[cheeseits52]

Solution: It appeared to be the lack of a steering stabilizer. On my old axle it was broken (no oil) and on my new axle I never put it on because I wanted to solve death wobble. I'll report back if the DW happens again, but so far this seems very promising.

So I have tried everything in this post (https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/fo...ble-an-algorithm-to-diagnose-the-issue.62313/). To date

New ball joints
Re-torqued lower control arms (190#)
"New" tie rod (bought it used, curious if the joints are shot).
"New" drag link (same as above)
New tires
Balanced tires
Wheel alignment
New track bar
Checked all bolt holes for wallows
Checked wheel bearings
Steering box torqued


Literally an entirely new front end. I've never ran synergy stuff before and since I got mine used I am curious to know if these joints are totally shot (my gut says yes, but I don't know how much movement there should be). I tried messaging synergy a few days ago and they "some movement" but haven't gotten back if this is normal (Jeep Invasion I think). Any input? It's the only other thing I can think is causing this death wobble.

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[Roky]

So I have tried everything in this post (https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/fo...ble-an-algorithm-to-diagnose-the-issue.62313/). To date

New ball joints
Re-torqued lower control arms (190#)
"New" tie rod (bought it used, curious if the joints are shot).
"New" drag link (same as above)
New tires
Balanced tires
Wheel alignment
New track bar
Checked all bolt holes for wallows
Checked wheel bearings
Steering box torqued


Literally an entirely new front end. I've never ran synergy stuff before and since I got mine used I am curious to know if these joints are totally shot (my gut says yes, but I don't know how much movement there should be). I tried messaging synergy a few days ago and they "some movement" but haven't gotten back if this is normal (Jeep Invasion I think). Any input? It's the only other thing I can think is causing this death wobble.

That movement is normal…… if there’s lateral or vertical movement then they’re toast, but they have to be able to rotate for axle articulation…..lay under and have someone turn the steering wheel back and forth while you watch all the end links and both ends of the track bar….…… what track bar do you have ?

 

[cheeseits52]

That movement is normal…… if there’s lateral or vertical movement then they’re toast, but they have to be able to rotate for axle articulation…..lay under and have someone turn the steering wheel back and forth while you watch all the end links and both ends of the track bar….…… what track bar do you have ?

Rancho track bar.

 

[gevo1]

Really need more info and photos. Do you have a lift? Have you checked for any bent components i.e. axle, brackets, etc. Are you sure this is death wobble or is this bump steer? When did this begin? Although a poor alignment will contribute to the problem, this mostly occurs when axles are significantly misaligned front-rear.

As for Synergy joints. The movement exhibited in the video is perfectly normal. However, Synergy, specifically, have been known to have issues with the collars in my experience. So if you see any movement (rotation or otherwise) at the adjusters, this can be your culprit.

 

[cheeseits52]

Really need more info and photos. Do you have a lift? Have you checked for any bent components i.e. axle, brackets, etc. Are you sure this is death wobble or is this bump steer? When did this begin? Although a poor alignment will contribute to the problem, this mostly occurs when axles are significantly misaligned front-rear.

As for Synergy joints. The movement exhibited in the video is perfectly normal. However, Synergy, specifically, have been known to have issues with the collars in my experience. So if you see any movement (rotation or otherwise) at the adjusters, this can be your culprit.

This is 100% death wobble. It’s a violent uncontrollable shaking of the front end. Without coming to a complete stop, it will persis

My axle is 3 days old, so it rules that out. I’ve torqued the pinch bolts down on the synergy stuff to 120, instead of 90, as some have suggested on this forum.

As for a lift, 3.5”. My caster is within spec. The death wobble started awhile ago, got progressively worse. I’ve replaced my axle (planned upgrade), drag link, tie rod, tires, track bar.

Loosened the control arms and re torqued this evening, no luck.

 

[gevo1]

This is 100% death wobble. It’s a violent uncontrollable shaking of the front end. Without coming to a complete stop, it will persis

My axle is 3 days old, so it rules that out. I’ve torqued the pinch bolts down on the synergy stuff to 120, instead of 90, as some have suggested on this forum.

As for a lift, 3.5”. My caster is within spec. The death wobble started awhile ago, got progressively worse. I’ve replaced my axle (planned upgrade), drag link, tie rod, tires, track bar.

Loosened the control arms and re torqued this evening, no luck.

Definitely sounds like death wobble. As I understood, this has been happening prior to the axle replacement, as well as the track bar and tie rode/drag link? Do you have more photos? Have you moved the mounting locations of the track bar or drag link? I assume your toe is set well? Have you checked the frame side track bar mount itself?

 

[cheeseits52]

Definitely sounds like death wobble. As I understood, this has been happening prior to the axle replacement, as well as the track bar and tie rode/drag link? Do you have more photos? Have you moved the mounting locations of the track bar or drag link? I assume your toe is set well? Have you checked the frame side track bar mount itself?

Yes, I’ve checked both sides of the track bar for movement. I even put back in my old track bar that did not have DW issues.

it was present in my old axle, but nothing was reused in the steering. I’ve checked the control arms multiple times now too.

Here is a photo of the front end.

 

[gevo1]

Yes, I’ve checked both sides of the track bar for movement. I even put back in my old track bar that did not have DW issues.

it was present in my old axle, but nothing was reused in the steering. I’ve checked the control arms multiple times now too.

Here is a photo of the front end.

Since you had the wobble in the old axle and you've changed most things, I'd take a closer look at whatever is left and alignment. Since you've had DW for some time, I'd check the wheel hubs and the mounting points on the aluminum knuckles for deformation/wear. BTW, for the frame side track bar mount I meant the actual frame mount. I see yours is a 2018 and they were known to fail at the welds. You can also check your steering box mounting bolts to be tight (those were also update with higher torque numbers and stronger bolts. You really need someone to play with the wheel while you check everything

 

[gevo1]

Is your axle centered BTW?

 

[cheeseits52]

Is your axle centered BTW?

I will have to check tomorrow. Probability that this causes death wobble? Maybe if it’s severely out?

 

[gevo1]

I will have to check tomorrow. Probability that this causes death wobble? Maybe if it’s severely out?

It can, especially once lifter and especially of the rear track bar riser bracket was not added. Since the front and rear axles travel at opposite arcs (rear track bar connects from passenger side from to driver side axle). So if these weren't addressed AND their off, through suspension travel the front and rear would begin to steer quiet a bit.. As far as how bad that would be, assuming all else is fine, it should settle itself once the suspension settles, but will definitely cause steering wobble, more like bump steer though..

 

[cheeseits52]

It can, especially once lifter and especially of the rear track bar riser bracket was not added. Since the front and rear axles travel at opposite arcs (rear track bar connects from passenger side from to driver side axle). So if these weren't addressed AND their off, through suspension travel the front and rear would begin to steer quiet a bit.. As far as how bad that would be, assuming all else is fine, it should settle itself once the suspension settles, but will definitely cause steering wobble, more like bump steer though..

I guess anything is worth a check at this point. I’m starting to exhaust the “checklist”.

 

[gevo1]

I guess anything is worth a check at this point. I’m starting to exhaust the “checklist”.

lol sounds like you are but it HAS to be something. You really need a buddy to help you check all this stuff

 

[Tank the Jeep]

Check your tires for out of round too. I got the death wobble whenever a certain tire was rotated to the front. The other four were fine.
also
Im wondering about the aluminum knuckles. Since you changed everything else, could the ball joint holes be elongated?

 

[BadA$$Rubi]

So I have tried everything in this post (https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/fo...ble-an-algorithm-to-diagnose-the-issue.62313/). To date

New ball joints
Re-torqued lower control arms (190#)
"New" tie rod (bought it used, curious if the joints are shot).
"New" drag link (same as above)
New tires
Balanced tires
Wheel alignment
New track bar
Checked all bolt holes for wallows
Checked wheel bearings
Steering box torqued


Literally an entirely new front end. I've never ran synergy stuff before and since I got mine used I am curious to know if these joints are totally shot (my gut says yes, but I don't know how much movement there should be). I tried messaging synergy a few days ago and they "some movement" but haven't gotten back if this is normal (Jeep Invasion I think). Any input? It's the only other thing I can think is causing this death wobble.

Where is your steering dampener? ?

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