Death Wobble

[VJT]

There seems to be a lot of conversation regarding the death wobble. I was wondering if Jeep has extended warranty and if there was a pending class action suit.
My Jeep dealership is offering steering damper but from what I have been reading, its will only be a bandaid and problem will reoccur. (22 Sport JLU w/ 15 k miles, stock)

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[jc1003]

We also have 2022 and the steering stabilizer was replaced at 12K miles by the dealership. It has 20K now with no more issues.

 

[Spartan99]

Staying on top of your front end is part of owning a vehicle with a solid front axle. It’s usually something simple if it’s a stock Jeep but dealerships usually aren’t equipped to solve the problem, hence the steering stabilizer band aid. Jeeps can come off the assembly line as though someone wasn’t paying attention during the build, so I’d just make sure all of the front end parts are torqued to spec and the wheels are balanced and you’d probably be good to go DW free for a very long time.

 

[DanFelix]

I agree with Spartan99 and I would add one other piece of advice. The shimmy is usually triggered by a combination of road and driving conditions. I would learn those. Don't necessarily need to avoid them but at least know what conditions are more likely to trigger an oscillation.

 

[azwjowner]

Death wobble isn't a design defect, more like a design byproduct. Defective parts will cause it but those are already covered by warranty. Whether the Jeep dealer is competent to diagnose the issue is a different matter entirely.

 

[Bulletbill]

Just hit 23,000 miles on my 21 JLUR and encountered DW today for the first time.

Was driving 55mph and outside temp was 32 degrees, crossed an intersection and hit a bump and the front end shook until I slowed down. I crawled underneath and found some play in the track-bar, so assuming bushings are worn.

Still under warranty so I made an appointment at the dealer who told me that they would take a look and then see if it qualified as a warranty item. If not, they will charge me a $150 service fee (really jeep?).

If they deny, which they shouldn’t because my steering, suspension, and tires are all stock, my plan is to go with a synergy track bar replacement and a fox steering stabilizer.

Any other recommendations?

 

[AcesandEights]

This " Death wobble isn't a design defect..." Might as well warranty everything that functions as designed.

 

[19 JLUR Bright Whit3]

LOL

 

[txj2go]

I had DW start in my 2018 at just under 40k miles. My 2018 Sport has Rubicon springs/shocks/tires added, otherwise stock. I've checked ball joints and trackbar and everything seems good. DW starts from certain road conditions- a certain road roughness at around 45mph that puts the suspension in resonance. I've gotten hints of DW from certain bumps at about the same speed but this is less of a problem. If it's resonating at 45mph I can speed up beyond 55 and it will stop.

 

[John C]

There seems to be a lot of conversation regarding the death wobble. I was wondering if Jeep has extended warranty and if there was a pending class action suit.
My Jeep dealership is offering steering damper but from what I have been reading, its will only be a bandaid and problem will reoccur. (22 Sport JLU w/ 15 k miles, stock)

Similar problem with my 2018 and now again on my 2021 JL unlimited. Dealer waived it off till I brought in a video and I contacted JEEP USA to file a complaint. I requested they open a file and document all my contacts with JEEP USA, Amazing my dealer called and they moved me to the head of the line and replaced my steering damper with a new upgrade. No issues since and its been 4 months. JEEP is very aware of the issue but they keep it on the downlow. There are several class action law suits and some have already been awarded. Take notes and video of problem as it occurs. Contact JEEP USA get a case number and NAME of your contact. Good luck




.

 

[SteveFinn]

I had DW start in my 2018 at just under 40k miles. My 2018 Sport has Rubicon springs/shocks/tires added, otherwise stock. I've checked ball joints and trackbar and everything seems good. DW starts from certain road conditions- a certain road roughness at around 45mph that puts the suspension in resonance. I've gotten hints of DW from certain bumps at about the same speed but this is less of a problem. If it's resonating at 45mph I can speed up beyond 55 and it will stop.

I was wondering during my last DW event if I could 'power though it'.....the problem being that if occurred at 70 mph and I did not think it wise to accelerate.

 

[Old Jeeper]

There seems to be a lot of conversation regarding the death wobble. I was wondering if Jeep has extended warranty and if there was a pending class action suit.
My Jeep dealership is offering steering damper but from what I have been reading, its will only be a bandaid and problem will reoccur. (22 Sport JLU w/ 15 k miles, stock)

Looks like you copied that post from back in 2003 LOL, yes DW is NOT an Option, is std equipment on cars motorcycles you name it I have suffered it roing back to 1969.

Steering Stabilizer is NOT a BandAid, it is an internal component of the suspension and steering group. Can you run without it?

YES you can and did so for over a year and THEN one it hit and it hit HARD. Which required a lot of work and replacement parts to INCLUDE a SS.

I will give you a few suggestions, but I will skp the rest as the thread will be full of experts and wannabe's.

At the FIRST sign of DW, REPLACE you SS IMMEDIATELY if not sooner!

Replace with a top quality SS, its going to cost more but worth it. Lots of brands on the market. Be cautious as there are gimmicks and a lot of "experts" out there and you can alway tell because they are COSTLY and advice is CHEAP especially from those who have never fixed it!

The one I use and have for the past 20+ years is inexpensive and WORKS better than most if not all of them.

 

[WaldorfJL]

Hooray....I thought I was special. Got my first DW last week on the highway driving to the eastern shore of VA/MD. I was doing about 70, and it quickly subsided....Then again yesterday...had to hit the brakes and slow way down...Stock 2018 JLU Sport. I have an appointment on Monday. As for now, I keep it below 65, and clinch up at every bridge transition. Had a few minor wobbles today, but they were brief and subsided without spiraling out of control. I have 41K miles. As it hadn't manifested earlier, I hadn't changed anything from stock, I thought I was immune...hoping the dealership has knowledge of the issue and seasoned mechanics.

 

[AcesandEights]

... There are several class action law suits and some have already been awarded...

Can you provide details on the (several) lawsuits with awards, because I don't believe you.

 

[19 JLUR Bright Whit3]

Listen to the one and only expert and wannabe because he's "old". LOL

You CAN run without a SS or a simple one as long as the rest of your steering is tight. Once the steering components loosen or wear, you'll have slight to mild DW. The SS will mask it until your steering gets looser and more worn. The SS will fail trying to compensate for the loose parts hence no longer masking the DW and you will have extreme DW. You can put on another SS (bandAid) and it will mask your loose and worn steering components again until it fails again. Just my $.02 along with the rest of the experts and wannabes on here. I stayed at a Holiday Inn Express once too. LOL

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