Is this typical for a Jeep alignment?

[KNN]

Caved and had the dealership swap out the aluminum steering gear box to 68507574-AA (cast iron). Was not looking forward to it but in the end was super pleased. They did a fantastic job!

Still didn’t solve my issues though.

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[KNN]

Getting desperate ? Was lucky to get an Exact Center 140# trial unit but my unit arrived defective. It centered wheels in only one direction (video). EV/RM are on it.

 

[KNN]

Received a new *correct pressure EC. Mounted up super easy and was able to get it driving straight w/ a lot of trial and error (the road master video on Vimeo is terrible). The handling didn’t feel all that different to be honest. More effort holding a turn as some describe but nothing crazy.

Decided it wasn’t for me and returned it before the trial period ended. It wasn’t bad but it didn’t improve my steering any better than my Fox ATS. I was actually able to trigger mild DW on a few occasions. Tony & John are professionals and seem really committed to helping the Jeep community.

 

[Whaler27]

Hang in there. This kind of thing is damn frustrating to work through, particularly when you‘re getting defective or mismatched parts, but you’re making progress and will eventually get the problem whipped.

The improvements you are making aren’t wasted either. You’re building a better Jeep.

A steering stabilizer isn’t a fix for death wobble, it just mutes the symptoms a bit. I‘d continue working through all the possible root causes, tweaking one item at a time, and then attempt to induce the DW after each tweak. When you correct the right component you’ll know it. Then you can re-install the stabilizer.

Earlier in the thread one of the guys suggested you test the ball joints for wear/slop (with a pry bar). I don’t remember you confirming that you did that and the ball joints were good. Did you already do that?

I’m a fan of the Steer Smarts team and the “Yeti”. Like your steering box upgrade, the Yeti was a good purchase.

If you haven’t already seen this video on death wobble cure with the Yeti it’s worth a look, as it does a great job of showing how DW is induced and what it looks like from the driver’s seat AND looking through the steering and suspension components.

Yeti & Death Wobble

Good luck — and hang in there. You’ll get this sorted, and then you’ll be able to enjoy your Jeep for years to come!

 

[KNN]

Hang in there. This kind of thing is damn frustrating to work through, particularly when you‘re getting defective or mismatched parts, but you’re making progress and will eventually get the problem whipped.

The improvements you are making aren’t wasted either. You’re building a better Jeep.

A steering stabilizer isn’t a fix for death wobble, it just mutes the symptoms a bit. I‘d continue working through all the possible root causes, tweaking one item at a time, and then attempt to induce the DW after each tweak. When you correct the right component you’ll know it. Then you can re-install the stabilizer.

Earlier in the thread one of the guys suggested you test the ball joints for wear/slop (with a pry bar). I don’t remember you confirming that you did that and the ball joints were good. Did you already do that?

I’m a fan of the Steer Smarts team and the “Yeti”. Like your steering box upgrade, the Yeti was a good purchase.

If you haven’t already seen this video on death wobble cure with the Yeti it’s worth a look, as it does a great job of showing how DW is induced and what it looks like from the driver’s seat AND looking through the steering and suspension components.

Yeti & Death Wobble

Good luck — and hang in there. You’ll get this sorted, and then you’ll be able to enjoy your Jeep for years to come!

Thank you. Ball joint and knuckle updates are coming. I’m just slow posting progress.

Does spring height make a difference? I’m wondering what impact a lower CoG could have.

 

[Whaler27]

CoG, as in center of gravity? No, that doesn’t have a significant influence, but anything that introduces more “slop” into the system does. The problem is instability — components moving independently in ways they’re not supposed to. Longer springs and a taller Jeep means longer distances and longer levers, which 1) increases the leverage/force applied to wear points, 2) induces more opportunity for flex/slop, and 3) magnifies the violence of the DW once it’s induced.

The stresses on steering and suspension components are increased substantially when a Jeep is lifted and larger tires are installed, particularly when the Jeep is also wheeled, (as it should be!) All those stresses work to wear components, pull them apart, and loosen things up. That looseness, or “slop” is your enemy.

Ball joints are subject to constant multidirectional stresses and they wear significantly faster with larger tires. Given the good work you have already done to align, stabilize, and reduce slop, my money is on the ball joints being your problem.

 

[Jondjay]

I have a 2019 rubicon with a 3.5" game changer lift. I went to install the HD rock sport steering system. I had to take the drag link apart to get it off. Does anyone what the measurement of the stock drag link is so i will have a base line to go by when installing the HD rocksport system? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

 

[GATORB8]

I have a 2019 rubicon with a 3.5" game changer lift. I went to install the HD rock sport steering system. I had to take the drag link apart to get it off. Does anyone what the measurement of the stock drag link is so i will have a base line to go by when installing the HD rocksport system? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

Looks like I’m at at 40.75” center to center on the studs.

 

[Jondjay]

Looks like I’m at at 40.75” center to center on the studs.

Thank you

 

[KNN]

DL is a little awkward to measure but I got about the same as @GATORB8 40.75”. That should be a good starting point.

I need to update this thread!

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