How common is the Death Wobble?

[Hucke_250]

I just bought a completely stock 2021 jlu sahara diesel with 15k miles, driving on hwy at 70mph, hit very rough bridge/overpass transition and experienced it. Was brutal and im very discouraged in the quality. This jeep was 59000.00 new, smh.
Had planned on lifting it anyway so I now have the following parts ordered:
Steersmart tierod assbly, draglink, front and rear trackbar, sector shaft brace, fox steering damper upgrade and clamp, mopar lift specific for diesel and z taser programmer. Hope this is enough, lol...wheels and 37's will replace factory wheels and tires
Hopefully it wont happen again
??????

Add a set of upgraded ball joints while you’re at it and you should be good to go.

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[mwilk012]

The question is worded improperly. Death wobble as we know it is an inevitable flaw of the solid axle design and the geometry involved. You just need a failure point to develop.

 

[jimhaleii]

Add a set of upgraded ball joints while you’re at it and you should be good to go.

Didnt think of that, good idea! Any brand you guys recommend?

 

[Hucke_250]

Didnt think of that, good idea! Any brand you guys recommend?

Many of the forum members recommend the Dynatrac ball joints. They are expensive but rebuildable in the knuckle.

 

[jimhaleii]

Many of the forum members recommend the Dynatrac ball joints. They are expensive but rebuildable in the knuckle.

Synergy any good?
Ive spent a mint and can get those for 300.00
Thanks!!

 

[Hucke_250]

Synergy any good?
Ive spent a mint and can get those for 300.00
Thanks!!

You definitely have spent some money. Lol. Synergy is a reputable company and they get good reviews. Personally I wouldn’t hesitate to run Synergy or Apex Chasis ball joints.

 

[jimhaleii]

You definitely have spent some money. Lol. Synergy is a reputable company and they get good reviews. Personally I wouldn’t hesitate to run Synergy or Apex Chasis ball joints.

Thanks for the good advice brother!

 

[Rodeoflyer]

No one thought the new Ram trucks with radius arms would be affected. They said it was impossible but no, it's possible. It takes a perfect storm of wheelspin and potholes but nothing completely eliminates it. Everything has to be tight to 100% eliminate it.

 

[Jnbrmartin]

Have a 2022 Gladiator no changes made to it. 18,000 miles on it. Death wobble big time and frequently the entire drive in September on Interstate on a trip from PA to TN. Had it a few times prior but not frequently. Decided it was better to drive at 65 instead of 70 to avoid the worst of it. Taking to dealer next week for them to ‘fix’ it (under warranty). From all I have read there can be so many different things that can cause it. Not a good feeling at all.

 

[SteveFinn]

People saying a stock JL can't get DW?......you should take my jeep for a quick ride at highway speeds.

The jeep has balanced, aligned, (newish) stock P245 michelins, new track bar, teraflex ball joints, steering stabilizer, shocks....2 independent mechanics have gone over it. I've been dealing with this since 78k miles....at 97k currently.

I am contemplating the updated steering box (mine is aluminum) and/or sector shaft brace but I think that will only improve steering feel...not solve my real problem.

 

[Leopard3]

In my opinion, death wobble is very rare on the JL platform. That is unless the owner has done some very stupid “upgrades” to the suspension and messed up the entire geometry. In stock form it is extremely rare.

My '21 80th Anniversary JLU is completely stock. I experienced the death wobble on a paved highway, after driving over two patches of missing asphalt, with another layer of asphalt underneath, that matched the wheel track of the Jeep. At the time I was decelerating on a curving off ramp from the posted legal highway speed of 110 kmh and was passing about 100 down towards 95kmh when all hell broke loose. The vehicle has just under 62,000 km, about 41,000 miles. I live in and purchased this vehicle in Canada and I am as disappointed as I can possibly be. This defect is dangerous.

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