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Steering wheel wobble?

subiescott77

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As an engineer, how wouldn't this shit be uncovered during mule testing...

It blows my mind
Because someone in a high up position said push it out to the line, get it going...I've got board members to answer to for that raise. I'm fairly certain there's some corrupt decisions happening at the exec level.

Because you're right....how do these issues happen. They didn't even reinvent the wheel, just change things up a bit.
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californiajeeping

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Because someone in a high up position said push it out to the line, get it going...I've got board members to answer to for that raise. I'm fairly certain there's some corrupt decisions happening at the exec level.

Because you're right....how do these issues happen. They didn't even reinvent the wheel, just change things up a bit.
Check out this posting from a JL factory employee - https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/update-shutdown-jt-order-strike.25645/
 

brewtus98

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As an engineer, how wouldn't this shit be uncovered during mule testing...

It blows my mind
Mule/Prototypes are hand built and use small batch hand built parts which have tighter quality control. They perform "as designed" to demonstrate vehicle potential (target performance).Large scale production variability of all components together as a system is hard to stay in control of along with other QC issues at both assembly and Tier 2/3 suppiers. Not defending manufacturer, but pointing out a fact of how mule vehicles may not detect - used to be a chassis/vehicle dynamics development engineer at other major US manufacturer........

I have faith their development team is going crazy to address and do so in a way that balances a fix with the business end of things......
 

SaharaSting

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I've had a minor case of DW and loose steering for a while now and have had it serviced twice for this with no resolve. This past week it got so bad that it was scary to drive. I finally dropped it off at my dealership after work yesterday for a third trial. I do have a case escalated with Jeepcares so hopefully this will light some fire under them. I won't accept a third stabilizer and another "16-point front end inspection". As much as I love this Jeep, I will pursue the lemon law. I cannot continue driving a 50k vehicle with these issues.
I have had three stabilizers put on and this last one started shaking as soon as I hit a bump on the interstate. I have contacted FCA with nothing resolved. I am fed up. My vehicle now has over 10,000 miles. Each time they ordered a new part the demand was so high I would have to wait months to get a new one only to have it fail again. Chrysler will end up with a class action suit as there are MANY with this issue. What's it going to take, death itself?
 

JeepCares

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I have had three stabilizers put on and this last one started shaking as soon as I hit a bump on the interstate. I have contacted FCA with nothing resolved. I am fed up. My vehicle now has over 10,000 miles. Each time they ordered a new part the demand was so high I would have to wait months to get a new one only to have it fail again. Chrysler will end up with a class action suit as there are MANY with this issue. What's it going to take, death itself?
Hi SaharaSting,
We are very sorry to hear that you have been experiencing this steering concern. Please send us a private message and we will be happy to offer assistance!
Alex
Jeep Social Care Specialist
 

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xpsruler

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My death wobble is worse then ever. Cant drive the vehicle above 50 without the slightest bump causing it now :-(.

Dealership has a Fox Stabilizer on order but I'm running out of hope of this issue being fixed.

It has become a daily occurrence for me to have to put my flashers on and slow my vehicle to 30 mph while going to and from work on busy roads.
 

DanW

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I've got mine at the dealership now. The plan is to go through the Star Case, step by step. @JeepCares contacted them and offered assistance, too, which I appreciate. Anyway, they'll first loosen and re-torque all bolts. Then, they'll align it to the new specs. Then, they'll look at the drag link tie rod end at the pitman arm and replace it if it has excessive play. They'll then go to the track bar and if it exhibits excessive play, will replace it with the new part number track bar. They might even put another new steering stabilizer on it, although I'm convinced that is not the issue. If that doesn't work, we'll put our heads together and I will then ask them to look at the steering box and/or get adjustable lower control arms to decrease the castor angle. I'm confident that somewhere in all that will be a solution.
 

clayps

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My death wobble is worse then ever. Cant drive the vehicle above 50 without the slightest bump causing it now :-(.

Dealership has a Fox Stabilizer on order but I'm running out of hope of this issue being fixed.

It has become a daily occurrence for me to have to put my flashers on and slow my vehicle to 30 mph while going to and from work on busy roads.
I would not allow the dealership to install an expensive aftermarket stabilizer if the current replacements haven't produced any results whatsoever. Something else is going on here, and throwing another more expensive stabilizer at is is a good way to ruin a good part. They need to go through number of Star Cases out there and review front end fasteners, alignment, steering box and trackbar/drag link. I wouldn't even ask them to "inspect" the track bar and drag link, but ask them to replace them regardless as the parts are completely new for this very reason.
 

californiajeeping

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My death wobble is worse then ever. Cant drive the vehicle above 50 without the slightest bump causing it now :-(.

Dealership has a Fox Stabilizer on order but I'm running out of hope of this issue being fixed.

It has become a daily occurrence for me to have to put my flashers on and slow my vehicle to 30 mph while going to and from work on busy roads.
What all has been done so far to fix the wobble problem?
 

mergedown

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Took mine in today for an oil change. I mentioned at check-in that I experienced a wobble one time that was pretty severe and didnā€™t go away until I slowed down. I also explained how the steering felt very loose over bumps.

They replaced my steering damper and it made an instant noticabke difference. Real test will be on the highway.

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JeepCares

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My death wobble is worse then ever. Cant drive the vehicle above 50 without the slightest bump causing it now :-(.

Dealership has a Fox Stabilizer on order but I'm running out of hope of this issue being fixed.

It has become a daily occurrence for me to have to put my flashers on and slow my vehicle to 30 mph while going to and from work on busy roads.
Hi xpsruler,
We are happy to hear that you are having your dealership address your steering concern. If you would like an extra layer of assistance throughout this process, please feel free to send us a private message.
Alex
Jeep Social Care Specialist
 

californiajeeping

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Its had 2 other steering stabilizers put in and the drag link replaced. They also say theyved checked everything as well.
When did they replace the drag link and what part number did they use - should be on your service documentation? Did you compare your steering box to the one in the video that shows the steering shaft moving but the pitman arm wasn't?
 

desert runner

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I've got mine at the dealership now. The plan is to go through the Star Case, step by step. @JeepCares contacted them and offered assistance, too, which I appreciate. Anyway, they'll first loosen and re-torque all bolts. Then, they'll align it to the new specs. Then, they'll look at the drag link tie rod end at the pitman arm and replace it if it has excessive play. They'll then go to the track bar and if it exhibits excessive play, will replace it with the new part number track bar. They might even put another new steering stabilizer on it, although I'm convinced that is not the issue. If that doesn't work, we'll put our heads together and I will then ask them to look at the steering box and/or get adjustable lower control arms to decrease the castor angle. I'm confident that somewhere in all that will be a solution.
In my experience the caster angle is key to the death wobble issue. Consider the image below: if you lift your Jeep, you are turning the axle (yellow) counter clockwise, which reduces your caster. If you have adjustable control arms, you can make them longer and restore your caster. Why is the Rubicon's caster spec (4.8 degree) lower than the one of the Sport (5.35 degree)? I suspect both models use the same fixed control arms, but the Rubicon has 2" lift relative to the sport. This reduces caster.
upload_2019-3-22_11-34-52.png

That is why the Rubicon is more susceptible to wobble than the Sport. I experienced this real life recently, when I had the shop install a 2.5" Metalcloak lift. They initially set the caster to 5 degree. I drove off the lot straight into a wobble, the steering was too "easy", the Jeep did not want to go straight and every ripple in the road would lead to steering wheel shake. After the shop increased the caster to 6 degree I am back to normal. The steering feels more solid, the Jeep drives a straight line even with hands off the wheel. No more wobbles.

I do not have any experience with components being "loose". It would make sense to me that a loose steering rod would enable shaking, so tightening all components up makes sense.

What does not make sense to me would be to install a new steering stabilizer. The steering stabilizer is basically a painkiller. It does not address the underlying issue of the caster, it will just dampen away the shaking, thereby hiding the issue. Sure, if your steering stabilizer is leaking or otherwise broken, replace it. Also, with bigger tires the forces on your steering components increase and a beefier steering stabilizer may be warranted.

From my experience, however, to address the death wobble: look at caster.

Just my $0.02 ;)

upload_2019-3-22_11-31-1.png
 

desert runner

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In my experience the caster angle is key to the death wobble issue. Consider the image below: if you lift your Jeep, you are turning the axle (yellow) counter clockwise, which reduces your caster. If you have adjustable control arms, you can make them longer and restore your caster. Why is the Rubicon's caster spec (4.8 degree) lower than the one of the Sport (5.35 degree)? I suspect both models use the same fixed control arms, but the Rubicon has 2" lift relative to the sport. This reduces caster.
upload_2019-3-22_11-34-52.png

That is why the Rubicon is more susceptible to wobble than the Sport. I experienced this real life recently, when I had the shop install a 2.5" Metalcloak lift. They initially set the caster to 5 degree. I drove off the lot straight into a wobble, the steering was too "easy", the Jeep did not want to go straight and every ripple in the road would lead to steering wheel shake. After the shop increased the caster to 6 degree I am back to normal. The steering feels more solid, the Jeep drives a straight line even with hands off the wheel. No more wobbles.

I do not have any experience with components being "loose". It would make sense to me that a loose steering rod would enable shaking, so tightening all components up makes sense.

What does not make sense to me would be to install a new steering stabilizer. The steering stabilizer is basically a painkiller. It does not address the underlying issue of the caster, it will just dampen away the shaking, thereby hiding the issue. Sure, if your steering stabilizer is leaking or otherwise broken, replace it. Also, with bigger tires the forces on your steering components increase and a beefier steering stabilizer may be warranted.

From my experience, however, to address the death wobble: look at caster.

Just my $0.02 ;)

upload_2019-3-22_11-31-1.png
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