my 2018 has a death wobble need help to fix the problem

[2018 black jl rubicon]

i own a 2018 rubicon with 57000 on the odometer and its developed a death wobble all the usual suspects have been checked the dealer wanted to change the steering dampner its already been replaced with the recall does anybody else have this problem and how did you fix it i would sure hate to scrap this thing now balance and tire rotation done so its not the tires

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[Roky]

i own a 2018 rubicon with 57000 on the odometer and its developed a death wobble all the usual suspects have been checked the dealer wanted to change the steering dampner its already been replaced with the recall does anybody else have this problem and how did you fix it i would sure hate to scrap this thing now balance and tire rotation done so its not the tires

I think “All the usual suspects” need to be checked again.…… my first guess with that many miles is the ball joints. But if it’s all stock, then it could be bushings as well (track bar, control arms). 99.9 percent of the time I fix DW, the problem is in one of these places. Remember, just because something feels tight to you, it’s not necessarily tight under the force a 2 ton rig, in other words, a tiny bit of movement is a lot.

 

[Rover72]

i own a 2018 rubicon with 57000 on the odometer and its developed a death wobble all the usual suspects have been checked the dealer wanted to change the steering dampner its already been replaced with the recall does anybody else have this problem and how did you fix it i would sure hate to scrap this thing now balance and tire rotation done so its not the tires

Has to be something in the front end or suspension. Should be easy to find once up on a lift by any master mechanic.

 

[desmo2]

My TJ developed a nasty shudder in the front end at highway speed. I hadn't corrected the alignment after a slight increase in tire size, and the tires were wearing unevenly. New tires and an alignment and she ran smooth as silk, again.

 

[John VonJeep]

Check ball joints. Check torque on track bar (125 lbs, IIRC). Check bushings. Work your way through the suspension, looking for worn components (and wallowed-out holes) or things that aren't properly torqued.

Biggest thing is to get it handled quickly. DW can worm its way into other components if not addressed. A steering damper will just mask any problems and let them get worse.

 

[Jamrock]

If you haven't changed anything recently, it is likely to be some worn parts.

Ask someone to sit in the Jeep and move the steering wheel from side to side. Check the components listed by the previous posters. Do you see any up and down movements? Are there any gaps?

Watch the first 30 seconds of this video.

 

[JeepinPete]

Mine did this with 27k miles. Sent it to the dealer, they replaced the damper, which had been replaced once before. The OEM part is by no means durable.

Pete

 

[Jamrock]

I have seen reports of some dealers installing the damper upside down.

What next???

https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/mopar-2-inch-lift-reviews.81739/page-2

 

[GATORB8]

Steering damper is a wear item, inexpensive and easy to change out. Just because it has been replaced does not mean it isn't worn out again. How many miles are on the new unit ?

Definitely an inexpensive replacement, but at best it's a band-aid.

OP, just to confirm, by DW, you mean you were scary uncontrollable at speed, right?

By the sta

I have seen reports of some dealers installing the damper upside down.

What next???

https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/mopar-2-inch-lift-reviews.81739/page-2

If only FCA would have made it clear how to orient the stabilizer in the recall... oh wait they did:

 

[word302]

Steering damper is a wear item, inexpensive and easy to change out. Just because it has been replaced does not mean it isn't worn out again. How many miles are on the new unit ?

Steering damper is not going to cause death wobble, or anything for that matter. Yes a new one might tighten things up for a short time but it would just be masking a bigger issue. I diagnose problems with the damper removed for this very reason.

 

[GATORB8]

A lot of well meaning folks say that.
Over 50+ years I have had a few S.S. wear out and replaced them without further issue. A steering wooble isn't alway something other than a worn S.S.The OP reported no other part issues and the dealer recommended a S.S. haha, Sometimes the service folks are right.
They do come on a new rigs BTW. So if you believe they just mask issues, are you saying all venicles with a factory S.S. are masking issues.

I actually meant to delete that post earlier, must have autosaved.

I'm not saying they don't serve a purpose and insulate you from experiencing the impacts of the road on the steering system, but full on Death Wobble is normally induced by an actual issue with the track bar or steering system, either the axle moving left/right due to the track bar, or enough play in the steering components to allow the wheels to turn without steering input.

 

[word302]

When my past solid front axle 4x4's started to get a wobble and they all seem to eventually in my experience, if all the steering links where good, a new S.S. solved the wobble. My fathers Chrysler New Yorker (Inherited)would get the craziest D.W. I have ever experienced. Junked that P.O.S.
My JLR got a full steering linkage upgrade when I went to 37" tires. It never did or has had a wobble. Stock aluminum steering box and ball joints to date.

You should be able to tune any wobble out of the suspension/steering. Then add a stabilizer to tighten things up/dampen impacts. A stabilizer doesn’t fix wobble, it covers up a bigger underlying issue.

 

[word302]

A S.S. is pretty much standard on all solid front axle 4x4's for a reason. We disagree and I'm good with that.
https://www.google.com/search?q=wha...KIAZ0fkgEIMC4yOC4xLjGYAQCgAQE&sclient=gws-wiz

Ok but to suggest that replacing a SS is a legitimate fix for death wobble is misguided at best. If the OP is actually experiencing death wobble there is a bigger underlying issue that needs to be addressed. The SS is a short-term “fix” and he will keep destroying them as the problem will continue to get worse, possibly creating a dangerous situation.

 

[Roky]

Something I’ve noticed working on these JLs the past three years, the steering stabilizer plays a little bit bigger role on the JL then it did on JK, and TJ.

For whatever reason, the recycled Budweiser cans they made the track bars out of, the plastic ball joints, or the soft rubber bushings in the control arms.
This crap is ok stock, but if you’re going to use it as intended, and/or are running 35-37” tires, then you’re on borrowed time. I’m sure there are exceptions to this, but this is what I’ve noticed in my little slice of the world.

I’ve never had DW on this rig , 3years now, and I’m pretty sure it’s due to me shit canning OEM steering as soon as possible……….As always, this is just my opinion, no science here……

 

[word302]

Something I’ve noticed working on these JLs the past three years, the steering stabilizer plays a little bit bigger role on the JL then it did on JK, and TJ.

For whatever reason, the recycled Budweiser cans they made the track bars out of, the plastic ball joints, or the soft rubber bushings in the control arms.
This crap is ok stock, but if you’re going to use it as intended, and/or are running 35-37” tires, then you’re on borrowed time. I’m sure there are exceptions to this, but this is what I’ve noticed in my little slice of the world.

I’ve never had DW on this rig , 3years now, and I’m pretty sure it’s due to me shit canning OEM steering as soon as possible……….As always, this is just my opinion, no science here……

The real issue isn’t necessarily the JL, but the ability to put bigger tires on with little too no modification. While the JK could fit 33s with little modification we’re now able to fit 37s and bigger.

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