Early Onset Death Wobble Help

[moodywizard]

After ball joints last thing is psc ram assist haha (laughing with you guys not at you). Dana just came out with some HD ball joints for the new Dana 44...

I still get a shimmy as well over bumps etc. I ordered some drop down brackets for the front control arms, going to adjust caster and look over a few things while down there.

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[Halstem1]

After ball joints last thing is psc ram assist haha (laughing with you guys not at you). Dana just came out with some HD ball joints for the new Dana 44...

I still get a shimmy as well over bumps etc. I ordered some drop down brackets for the front control arms, going to adjust caster and look over a few things while down there.

haha. Right? Then after PCS, I'll just swap out for a Prorock 44. haha. I saw the HD ball joints. I think that is what Mo installs on his wife's jeep in the video I watched. Someday if synergy ever comes out with theirs, I might see if I can find someone to help.

Honestly, the shimmy or wobble I have now is totally fine. Especially compared to a few months ago when it first happened. I was talking to someone recently that I think prior to a little "death wobble" incident, it likely did this and I never noticed. But now i'm like hyper focused on it after you have a bad "event" that I think was triggered by a couple of semi related changes.

 

[moodywizard]

haha. Right? Then after PCS, I'll just swap out for a Prorock 44. haha. I saw the HD ball joints. I think that is what Mo installs on his wife's jeep in the video I watched. Someday if synergy ever comes out with theirs, I might see if I can find someone to help.

Honestly, the shimmy or wobble I have now is totally fine. Especially compared to a few months ago when it first happened. I was talking to someone recently that I think prior to a little "death wobble" incident, it likely did this and I never noticed. But now i'm like hyper focused on it after you have a bad "event" that I think was triggered by a couple of semi related changes.

Yeah I read about the ball joints on the JL FB group. Ill have to check out video you mentioned for giggles, I know there was some talk about a few of those guys chasing wobbles as well. Bunch of crazy ideas.. Ball joints, aluminum knuckles, temp relates PS pump, etc. In the end all that went PSC never seem to have a problem.

I am lifted 3.5" with 3/4 front spacer for bumper lift. Just received the drop down brackets so hopefully get to play this weekend. It's the wifes daily as she commutes a few miles. Every time I drive far I get annoyed real quick on the wobbling/jarness of it all. Ill post up my findings and all what I do this weekend.

 

[spurly]

It definitely is frustrating. I wish I could afford a Prorock 44, because I probably would have done that already.

I haven't driven my Jeep much because of the wobble, but I swear the wobble is almost worse now after getting the tires rebalanced. If the new tie rod doesn't fix the issue, I'm going to take it to the dealer before I install the Fox steering stabilizer in hopes I can get ball joints replaced under warranty. I'm doubtful they'll do it, but after I replaced all the OEM parts one by one, maybe they'll see I was trying to fix it myself with higher quality parts. Maybe I'll throw the stock track bar back on before going in.

I do have one theory that I'm needing to try once I get the new tie rod on. So there are indentations on the steel liner of the Synergy track bar from the axle side bolt, clearly indicating that it's moving. To me, this is saying the track bar may not be as tight as it needs to be. I currently have the Metalcloak steering stabilizer relocation bracket that bolts to the front of the axle side track bar bracket, I'm wondering if the 1/4 in bracket is making it difficult to properly tighten the track bar because of the way it's bolted to the front the factory bracket.

 

[scrape]

It definitely is frustrating. I wish I could afford a Prorock 44, because I probably would have done that already.

I haven't driven my Jeep much because of the wobble, but I swear the wobble is almost worse now after getting the tires rebalanced. If the new tie rod doesn't fix the issue, I'm going to take it to the dealer before I install the Fox steering stabilizer in hopes I can get ball joints replaced under warranty. I'm doubtful they'll do it, but after I replaced all the OEM parts one by one, maybe they'll see I was trying to fix it myself with higher quality parts. Maybe I'll throw the stock track bar back on before going in.

I do have one theory that I'm needing to try once I get the new tie rod on. So there are indentations on the steel liner of the Synergy track bar from the axle side bolt, clearly indicating that it's moving. To me, this is saying the track bar may not be as tight as it needs to be. I currently have the Metalcloak steering stabilizer relocation bracket that bolts to the front of the axle side track bar, I'm wondering if the 1/4 in bracket is making it difficult to properly tighten the track bar.

Your front track bar sliding back and forth in the bracket will absolutely induce death wobble. Any lateral slop in your front track bar is the #1 cause. The rod end should not "ride the bolt" it should be held in place by clamping force alone. If you aren't getting adequate clamping force with whatever hardware you are using, you need to buy higher grade hardware. Over-torquing your current hardware will not increase clamping force, it will just yield the bolt. You can use a 9/16 grade 8 fine threaded bolt and torque it to 129 ft lbs. If you still need more clamping force, you can drill out your brackets to 5/8 and put a 5/8 rod end in the track bar, and use a 5/8 bolt torqued to 180 ft lbs.

 

[spurly]

Your front track bar sliding back and forth in the bracket will absolutely induce death wobble. Any lateral slop in your front track bar is the #1 cause. The rod end should not "ride the bolt" it should be held in place by clamping force alone. If you aren't getting adequate clamping force with whatever hardware you are using, you need to buy higher grade hardware. Over-torquing your current hardware will not increase clamping force, it will just yield the bolt. You can use a 9/16 grade 8 fine threaded bolt and torque it to 129 ft lbs. If you still need more clamping force, you can drill out your brackets to 5/8 and put a 5/8 rod end in the track bar, and use a 5/8 bolt torqued to 180 ft lbs.

I don't have any 5/8 bolts at the house to try it with, but I'm not entirely sure if the Synergy Track Bar will fit a 5/8 bolt?

I did make some significant headway yesterday on reducing the wobble in my steering wheel. One of the very first things I bought for my Jeep last year after taking delivery was the Metalcloak steering stabilizer relocation bracket. It's a pretty simple bracket and I have had zero issues with it since I installed it. I've even removed the track bar a few times since then and never had a problem with a wobble or potential death wobble. After one wheeling trip I found the axle side bolt completely loose and only being held in by the steering stabilizer itself and still never had any wobble in the wheel.

Yesterday I was cleaning up the garage when I found factory steer stabilizer mounting brackets and decided to test my theory that maybe the Metalcloak bracket was preventing me from properly tightening down the axle side bolt. Much to my surprise, reverting back to the factory mounting location considerably reduced the wobble. It's still there, but much less severe. I torqued the track bar bolt to 150 lb ft but might try 180 and see what it does.

So looks like I'll be running the stock set up until my new tie rod arrives and I run the Fox TS SS.

And this is not a dig at Metalcloak. I have absolutely nothing bad to say about the Metalcloak bracket, it worked flawlessly for me the year I ran it with the stock set up. For all I know, the bracket may not have been the problem and could just be a coincidence that maybe I was able to retorque the bolt again.

 

[Halstem1]

I don't have any 5/8 bolts at the house to try it with, but I'm not entirely sure if the Synergy Track Bar will fit a 5/8 bolt?

I did make some significant headway yesterday on reducing the wobble in my steering wheel. One of the very first things I bought for my Jeep last year after taking delivery was the Metalcloak steering stabilizer relocation bracket. It's a pretty simple bracket and I have had zero issues with it since I installed it. I've even removed the track bar a few times since then and never had a problem with a wobble or potential death wobble. After one wheeling trip I found the axle side bolt completely loose and only being held in by the steering stabilizer itself and still never had any wobble in the wheel.

Yesterday I was cleaning up the garage when I found factory steer stabilizer mounting brackets and decided to test my theory that maybe the Metalcloak bracket was preventing me from properly tightening down the axle side bolt. Much to my surprise, reverting back to the factory mounting location considerably reduced the wobble. It's still there, but much less severe. I torqued the track bar bolt to 150 lb ft but might try 180 and see what it does.

So looks like I'll be running the stock set up until my new tie rod arrives and I run the Fox TS SS.

And this is not a dig at Metalcloak. I have absolutely nothing bad to say about the Metalcloak bracket, it worked flawlessly for me the year I ran it with the stock set up. For all I know, the bracket may not have been the problem and could just be a coincidence that maybe I was able to retorque the bolt again.

I’ve wondered a little about the SS relocations. I have the synergy relocation that moves the axle side mount to a stud on the track bar bolt. That is when my wobble started but I also changed some other things at the same time. I thought it was changing the orientation of my factory SS because it has to be flipped over to work above the tie rod. I upgraded my SS to a fox and had an improvement. But I still wonder if the mount limits the torque on the track bar or the angle makes a difference.

 

[spurly]

I’ve wondered a little about the SS relocations. I have the synergy relocation that moves the axle side mount to a stud on the track bar bolt. That is when my wobble started but I also changed some other things at the same time. I thought it was changing the orientation of my factory SS because it has to be flipped over to work above the tie rod. I upgraded my SS to a fox and had an improvement. But I still wonder if the mount limits the torque on the track bar or the angle makes a difference.

I actually have 2 of those track bar/steering stabilizer bolts. One that came with the FOX SS and one I ordered from Synergy. Didn't realize the Fox SS came with one. I also tried installed the Fox bolt because the Synergy was to short for the factory SS eyelet. In krder to fit either bolt, I had to drill out the factory SS to 1/2 inch. I didn't like the way the SS seemed to be bound up so I just went back to the factory brackets. The Fox bolt is to long for my deep well sockets so I can't even torque it down properly but I'll install the Synergy bolt when the tie rod shows up. I'm pretty confident I'll be able to torque it down properly like the factory bolt.

 

[Halstem1]

I actually have 2 of those track bar/steering stabilizer bolts. One that came with the FOX SS and one I ordered from Synergy. Didn't realize the Fox SS came with one. I also tried installed the Fox bolt because the Synergy was to short for the factory SS eyelet. In krder to fit either bolt, I had to drill out the factory SS to 1/2 inch. I didn't like the way the SS seemed to be bound up so I just went back to the factory brackets. The Fox bolt is to long for my deep well sockets so I can't even torque it down properly but I'll install the Synergy bolt when the tie rod shows up. I'm pretty confident I'll be able to torque it down properly like the factory bolt.

so funny you say that. I also didn’t know the fox came with a bolt. I didn’t like the button head screw on the synergy bolt that holds the SS. I can’t find an Allen that fits it and may have stripped it. Anyway, I installed the fox one. Like you said, it’s too long for a deep well socket. But also, it will touch your drag link at full lock. I didn’t know until synergy told me that’s why they use a button head bolt. So I just swapped them out. However, now I think I stripped the Allen on the bolt which is making me nervous I can’t get back off. So I’ve just paint marker the bolt and left it for now. Just a heads up.

 

[limeade]

so funny you say that. I also didn’t know the fox came with a bolt. I didn’t like the button head screw on the synergy bolt that holds the SS. I can’t find an Allen that fits it and may have stripped it. Anyway, I installed the fox one. Like you said, it’s too long for a deep well socket. But also, it will touch your drag link at full lock. I didn’t know until synergy told me that’s why they use a button head bolt. So I just swapped them out. However, now I think I stripped the Allen on the bolt which is making me nervous I can’t get back off. So I’ve just paint marker the bolt and left it for now. Just a heads up.

HA! I stripped my Synergy button head screw too!! I found a small hex head bolt (spare from my wheel's rock rings) that fit and it doesn't hit the drag bar.

 

[moodywizard]

I didnt have time to work on the jeep this weekend. But in reference to the fox bolt being too long, yeah my impact socket didnt fit eiter. Ended up drilling it out some. Needless to say drilling impact sockets are tough on drill bits haha

I also purchased the synergy bracket with its own button head bolt. In the same boat as well, before installing synergy steering and trackbar brace with the fox ats stabilizer I had no wobble. Might just revert back to stock steering setup and see if it eliminates it. I really need to get some time to do it but too busy with work and life at home.

 

[limeade]

I didnt have time to work on the jeep this weekend. But in reference to the fox bolt being too long, yeah my impact socket didnt fit eiter. Ended up drilling it out some. Needless to say drilling impact sockets are tough on drill bits haha

I also purchased the synergy bracket with its own button head bolt. In the same boat as well, before installing synergy steering and trackbar brace with the fox ats stabilizer I had no wobble. Might just revert back to stock steering setup and see if it eliminates it. I really need to get some time to do it but too busy with work and life at home.

Just remove the steering stabilizer to see. Much easier than R&R'ing the whole steering system.

After installing my lift and steering system, I ran without a steering stabilizer for a week or so. The steering was tight and stable with the only noticeable problem was some bumpsteer when hitting potholes (which is what a stabilizer's only purpose is for, to minimize the sharp lateral forces imposed by irregularities in the road surface). It's interesting theres a few of you who are having a wobble/shimmy due to aftermarket SS's.

 

[moodywizard]

Just remove the steering stabilizer to see. Much easier than R&R'ing the whole steering system.

After installing my lift and steering system, I ran without a steering stabilizer for a week or so. The steering was tight and stable with the only noticeable problem was some bumpsteer when hitting potholes (which is what a stabilizer's only purpose is for, to minimize the sharp lateral forces imposed by irregularities in the road surface). It's interesting theres a few of you who are having a wobble/shimmy due to aftermarket SS's.

Mine might not be due to the SS, I installed synergy tierod, draglink, and brace all at the same time. So maybe any of those..

But yes I did think about running without or changing to stock SS just to see.

1st thing need another person to move the wheel back and fourth while me under the jeep looking/feeling the joints for excessive play then go from there.

 

[Halstem1]

Mine might not be due to the SS, I installed synergy tierod, draglink, and brace all at the same time. So maybe any of those..

But yes I did think about running without or changing to stock SS just to see.

1st thing need another person to move the wheel back and fourth while me under the jeep looking/feeling the joints for excessive play then go from there.

Same. Mine and the OP wasn't because of the SS. I added mine later to see if the heavier steering components needed more dampening than the original SS could provide. I installed a tie rod and drag link when mine showed up too.

 

[limeade]

Mine might not be due to the SS, I installed synergy tierod, draglink, and brace all at the same time. So maybe any of those..

But yes I did think about running without or changing to stock SS just to see.

1st thing need another person to move the wheel back and fourth while me under the jeep looking/feeling the joints for excessive play then go from there.

Have you installed any longer or adjustable LCA's or drop down brackets yet?

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