My 1st Death Wobble-

[SurfNGuitars]

Hello, this is my first post and unfortunately it is as the title suggest.
I picked up this 2018 JL Sahara with 63k miles this week after 2 test drives, highway and purposely hitting bumps at speed, and then finally purchasing after a week. I attributed the feedback in the steering wheel from the 18' rims and road tires but did notice more slop in the steering itself, no biggie I kinda expected it-but this time on the drive home after purchasing I hit a bump on the interstate and I went into full blown death wobble. I was already heading to the 4x4 shop to get it on a lift and they showed it had "ever so subtle " amount of play in the tie rod and drag link- but the ball joints were good. They told me to replace these parts and if that didn't solve the issue THEN replace the steering box.
My 2010 JK has 178,000 miles on 3.5' lift and never had an issue like this.
So get this-
I called the JEEP/RAM dealer service closest to me and asked what they'd charge for replacing the aluminum steering box and this is the response I got. " hmm really? I never did one of those. You probably just need to replace the dampener, that's what most folks do and that fixes it. There's an offroad shop...they sell the Fox brand, can't think of the name."
"Ok. Thanks, have a good one."
So I won't be going there for anything, ever.

I wasn't planning on doing anything to this Wrangler other than swapping the wheels for 17's and 33' Wildpeak's like my JK and replacing the shocks- no lift. Just want those with the experience to shed some light and on whether or not my thought to get the steering box replaced no matter what along with the draglink and tie rod.
I have another appointment with a different and more reputable shop right down my street this coming Monday to diagnose and price out the job(s). Appreciate the help.

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[YBABRAT]

Well to be honest, the dampener is like a box of chocolates. Yes, reports have shown replacing it corrects most instances. My 2019, has it factory installed upside down. Yet no issues with death wobbles. Over 90k on it, bought it used last year with 83k on it.

Though there is one dip of death where I live. A poorly done pot hole patch on the exit out of the apex, on a 45 MPH overramp, left lane. It will steer you into the turns cement wall, if unsuspecting it's wrath. Only a Wrangler will follow its demonic trance.

 

[cripton805]

Hit up someone at Synergy. I'd send them a DM.

https://www.instagram.com/synergymfg?igsh=MTc4MmM1YmI2Ng==

 

[SurfNGuitars]

Well to be honest, the dampener is like a box of chocolates. Yes, reports have shown replacing it corrects most instances. My 2019, has it factory installed upside down. Yet no issues with death wobbles. Over 90k on it, bought it used last year with 83k on it.

Though there is one dip of death where I live. A poorly done pot hole patch on the exit out of the apex, on a 45 MPH overramp, left lane. It will steer you into the turns cement wall, if unsuspecting it's wrath. Only a Wrangler will follow its demonic trance.

Yes, I am aware the stabilizer is not the sole issue that's why I scuffed at the service advisors response and said have a good one.
I've been comparing aftermarket remedies: metalcloak/synergy/steersmart but also the steering box itself.

 

[YJdude]

99% chance the culprit is the TRACK BAR. Even the slightest bit of play between the track bar and axle and/or frame will cause DW. Surely the 4x4 shop checked that?

0% chance the culprit is the dampener.

 

[SurfNGuitars]

99% chance the culprit is the TRACK BAR. Even the slightest bit of play between the track bar and axle and/or frame will cause DW. Surely the 4x4 shop checked that?

0% chance the culprit is the dampener.

I will take a closer look when I get home. Right now it's been parked since I got it home this past Wednesday and driving the JK as my work vehicle.

 

[YJdude]

I will take a closer look when I get home. Right now it's been parked since I got it home this past Wednesday and driving the JK as my work vehicle.

Cool. With the Jeep completely on the ground, engine off, have an assistant turn the steering wheel back and forth. Get under there and look for ANY movement at all at both ends of the track bar.
While you're down there, use the opportunity to inspect all the other suspension parts. You may see/hear something else moving or clunking that shouldn't be.
Good luck. Hopefully it's just the track bar.

 

[Upnarms]

Your 1st death wobble.... the forum's 1000000001st dw thread. So much already said and covered with all the trouble shooting, it's time new dw posts be banned!

Seriously though, just do a search and a little reading from past dw threads and you'll find everything you need and more!

 

[Pape]

I also think track bar if ball joint are good.
Make sure they are torq to spec and adding 10 to 15 lbs on top of it will help. Do not go too crazy on over torq unless you wan to cut the bolt out next time you want it out. Do not ask me how I know

In a nut shell DW is cause by vibration not properly absorbed, the main link for the absorption especially when you have your tires at the angle is the trackbar.

I suspect this is not the first DW as the steering component look to have be affected by it.

 

[Nolefan93]

Hello, this is my first post and unfortunately it is as the title suggest.
I picked up this 2018 JL Sahara with 63k miles this week after 2 test drives, highway and purposely hitting bumps at speed, and then finally purchasing after a week. I attributed the feedback in the steering wheel from the 18' rims and road tires but did notice more slop in the steering itself, no biggie I kinda expected it-but this time on the drive home after purchasing I hit a bump on the interstate and I went into full blown death wobble. I was already heading to the 4x4 shop to get it on a lift and they showed it had "ever so subtle " amount of play in the tie rod and drag link- but the ball joints were good. They told me to replace these parts and if that didn't solve the issue THEN replace the steering box.
My 2010 JK has 178,000 miles on 3.5' lift and never had an issue like this.
So get this-
I called the JEEP/RAM dealer service closest to me and asked what they'd charge for replacing the aluminum steering box and this is the response I got. " hmm really? I never did one of those. You probably just need to replace the dampener, that's what most folks do and that fixes it. There's an offroad shop...they sell the Fox brand, can't think of the name."
"Ok. Thanks, have a good one."
So I won't be going there for anything, ever.

I wasn't planning on doing anything to this Wrangler other than swapping the wheels for 17's and 33' Wildpeak's like my JK and replacing the shocks- no lift. Just want those with the experience to shed some light and on whether or not my thought to get the steering box replaced no matter what along with the draglink and tie rod.
I have another appointment with a different and more reputable shop right down my street this coming Monday to diagnose and price out the job(s). Appreciate the help.

 

[Nolefan93]

I have a 2021 used Wrangler Willys that I just got last July. Started to experience the same issue. First time the shop (AAA - with a mechanic I know and trust but not a Jeep mechanic to be fair) just tightened everything but that didn’t fix it. Then they changed the Track Bar. That seemed to fix it temporarily but it has returned 2 x (same as you, on highway when I hit a bump like going over a bridge @>70 mph). Now, I’m not sure what to do. Still has a warranty (Carvana) but the shops can never duplicate so they seem to be troubleshooting in the dark. Never heard anything about a steering box being the culprit.

 

[SurfNGuitars]

Your 1st death wobble.... the forum's 1000000001st dw thread. So much already said and covered with all the trouble shooting, it's time new dw posts be banned!

Seriously though, just do a search and a little reading from past dw threads and you'll find everything you need and more!

Maybe I can lend you some advice.
It's 2025, and other people will continue to purchase new/used Wranglers and search forums and so fourth looking for up-to-date and more relevant information, instead of post from years ago.

As I have done so myself, but I still wanted to present this situation to the public forum for others to see that it is still an issue you can run into, prime example calling JEEP service and them STILL giving horrible "advice" with a known problem. Perhaps there are new, previously updated, or past products that were once recommended but others had issues with that they would NOT recommend the additional expense towards. Idk, just a thought

 

[Skiordie]

This timing is unbelievable, and shows I need to pay more attention. I just picked up my 18 JL from the dealer yesterday afternoon, having it checked out because of the DW issue (noticed by my wife of course- I just lived with it for a while). $3,600 bill. Drag link, steering link, two tie rod ends, steering damper, and associated other links replaced. And an oil change and rotation.

I’ve learned my lesson. Use me as an example if you get any grief for going to a 4X4 specialist.

Next time I’m coming here first. Good info and attitudes.

 

[kah.mun.rah]

Was it warm outside when you test-drove and cold outside when you had the death wobble by any chance?

 

[LHSmith]

Hello, this is my first post and unfortunately it is as the title suggest.
I picked up this 2018 JL Sahara with 63k miles this week after 2 test drives, highway and purposely hitting bumps at speed, and then finally purchasing after a week. I attributed the feedback in the steering wheel from the 18' rims and road tires but did notice more slop in the steering itself, no biggie I kinda expected it-but this time on the drive home after purchasing I hit a bump on the interstate and I went into full blown death wobble. I was already heading to the 4x4 shop to get it on a lift and they showed it had "ever so subtle " amount of play in the tie rod and drag link- but the ball joints were good. They told me to replace these parts and if that didn't solve the issue THEN replace the steering box.
My 2010 JK has 178,000 miles on 3.5' lift and never had an issue like this.
So get this-
I called the JEEP/RAM dealer service closest to me and asked what they'd charge for replacing the aluminum steering box and this is the response I got. " hmm really? I never did one of those. You probably just need to replace the dampener, that's what most folks do and that fixes it. There's an offroad shop...they sell the Fox brand, can't think of the name."
"Ok. Thanks, have a good one."
So I won't be going there for anything, ever.

I wasn't planning on doing anything to this Wrangler other than swapping the wheels for 17's and 33' Wildpeak's like my JK and replacing the shocks- no lift. Just want those with the experience to shed some light and on whether or not my thought to get the steering box replaced no matter what along with the draglink and tie rod.
I have another appointment with a different and more reputable shop right down my street this coming Monday to diagnose and price out the job(s). Appreciate the help.

Was it warm outside when you test-drove and cold outside when you had the death wobble by any chance?

I had the same problem with my 2018 JLU at 52500 miles. I replaced the tie rod, track bar, Drag link, Stabilizer and ball joints. The ball joints were not that bad, but they would need to be replaced, maybe in another 25000 miles. No more Death Wobble!!

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