Step Inside: People Who FIXED Death Wobble

[rustyshakelford]

This!

The dealer is footing the bill for all his equipment so hopefully it’ll all work out for him. His is stock and he’s having these issues.

Brett

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[jeepmikey]

Correct - I’m not buying any parts. Jeep dealer ordered everything aftermarket and is the one installing - not on me that Jeep and dealership feel they need to replace dampener, track bar and control arms with aftermarket parts.

Will keep everyone updated - hoping next Thursday or Friday this is finally resolved.

 

[The Acme Company]

I have a 1948 Dodge Power Wagon. Its built like a tank; 11 leafs per side, solid axle, 5.83 gears, the freaking lug nuts are inch and a half! I rebuilt the front end with all new components and it was fine for about a year, then one day I got the death wobble... I checked everything, alignment, etc, with no solution... until I checked my tire pressure. It was in the low 20s. My tires are 35 inches tall and a rim and tire weighs 140 lbs. Most of the people experiencing this also have tall tires, KO2,s and such. Tall tires are heavy, have a lot of rotating mass, and a lot of sidewall that can flex. I believe you should run more tire pressure to stiffen up the tire. So, as an experiment try running 50 psi and see if there is an improvement. It fixed my problem. If it helps you can try 45 psi, 40, etc.

Post a picture of the Power Wagon. It’s the most awesome Dodge ever built!

 

[Adam 4248]

Post a picture of the Power Wagon. It’s the most awesome Dodge ever built!

Not to Hi-jack this thread, I started a new thread in “Other vehicles.” There are links to my Imageevent albums: 1948 Power Wagon, 1942 Dodge Carryall, & 1971 Challenger.... too many pics

 

[mgroeger]

On 3rd dampener, have the same death wobble people on here have. Going in next week to replace the following:

- Track bar
- Longer control arms
- Dampener

All parts being ordered by dealer are rough country and fox. Question - anyone that's FIXED their DW, did any of the above fix it? I mean truly fixed, not masking issues with a dampener for a few weeks.

Trying to manage my expectations going into next week as to whether will actually be fixed or if the above is just a pointless exercise by dealership.

The longer control arms should be 1/4" longer based on what I've read. When a Mopar Fox lift is put on they use longer Mopar control arms. I'd ask them to use that.

 

[JMyatt]

Have you seen my thread “this is Death Wobble”? DW on a stock Jeep sucks and I can only imagine how frustrating that is. I have a feeling these electric power steering units might have something to contribute towards the issues.

Brett

I do too Brett... very concerned that the wobbling is going to damage the steering gear box at minimum. 3600 miles on a stock JLU, 4th dampener, track bar weld recall, track bar replaced still wobbles like crazy.

 

[JMyatt]

An

Mopar just released a new JL track bar for 2018 and 2019 a few days ago. I'm not sure what the differences are or if it is just a vendor change.

On the other topic of using non-Mopar parts to fix things, my concern about aftermarket parts is that most dealers say "you altered a component in the steering system, you are on your own now on DW". Yeah, I know there is a law that says they can't do certain things, but it is open to interpretation in certain situations. Yes, there are some dealers who will even put aftermarket parts in for you, but those are VERY rare in my experience and doesn't make sense to drive 3 hours one way to find a dealer who will. Then you have to go back to that same dealer for all future steering related problems since the local dealers won't touch it now.

Also, I found the product description bulleted items in this Synergy MFG drag link VERY interesting. I'm tempted to try this as it seems all drag links "flop" when you pull up on it. That can't be good and most JL owners are saying they all do it, but no one knows if that is a good or bad design. But still, this is interesting:

https://www.synergymfg.com/synergy-jeep-jl-heavy-duty-drag-link-kit.html

• Increased tubing wall thickness improves drag link strength and steering feel. Offers a more direct connection to the road/trail compared to stock.
• Bar is fully welded, unlike the crimped OEM design.
• Pitman arm side tie rod end is a single plane design to eliminate unwanted drag link flop. Drastically simplifies installation and only allows necessary degree of movement.
• No factory drag link components need to be reused.
• Includes Synergy HD Metal on Metal Tie Rod Ends with a Single Plane version at the pitman arm side to completely eliminate Drag Link Flop.
• Drag Link is CNC formed from 1.5 inch x .250 wall DOM tubing
• Both ends of the bar use pinch bolts instead of jam nuts to simplify installation and adjustment.

Already back ordered a month.. rrrrrrr aggreivating

 

[rustyshakelford]

An


Already back ordered a month.. rrrrrrr aggreivating

Get with Justin at steer smart. Tell him that Brett from BnL Jeep said to call. I believe they have the solution. We’re waiting on two sets to come in. One for me, one for a customer. Should go on wed/Thursday. I spoke with the synergy guys too. They have an outstanding product as well but the steer smart stuff looks great

Brett

 

[IPSCOJL]

The longer control arms should be 1/4" longer based on what I've read. When a Mopar Fox lift is put on they use longer Mopar control arms. I'd ask them to use that.

do not waste your time and money on the Mopar lower control arms they will not fix the problem, you need more caster up around 6 deg and the Mopar will only give you around 3 deg. Get some adjustable lower control arms and adjust them so you end up with 6 Deg. of Caster. Next get an after market adjustable Track Bar they are way better than the factory bar. Check your ball joints for loose nuts also.

 

[mgroeger]

do not waste your time and money on the Mopar lower control arms they will not fix the problem, you need more caster up around 6 deg and the Mopar will only give you around 3 deg. Get some adjustable lower control arms and adjust them so you end up with 6 Deg. of Caster. Next get an after market adjustable Track Bar they are way better than the factory bar. Check your ball joints for loose nuts also.

Thanks for the info!

 

[jruss]

I’ve fixed hundreds of jeeps with death wobble.
IME rough country is not a fix for anything as their parts are less durable and wear faster than factory components.

 

[jeepmikey]

I’ve fixed hundreds of jeeps with death wobble.
IME rough country is not a fix for anything as their parts are less durable and wear faster than factory components.

I told FCA that if this next visit doesn't fix the steering issues including shimmy, wobble and crazy looseness - the 5th time I'm bringing the Jeep back and they can keep it. We'll see what happens this week or next week.

 

[AllJumpStyle]

An


Already back ordered a month.. rrrrrrr aggreivating

Our Drag Links are currently in stock. Not sure who you are trying to order from.

 

[Kevin8086]

Ok here it is. MY BEST GUESS
There isn’t anything wrong or loose and damaged. I think it’s a combination of all the lightweight parts. All the steering parts and track bar along with the electric pump. The parts are allowing for deflection and causing wobble. The electric pump isn’t helping absorb that either. The stabilizer isn’t necessarily masking the root cause but is helping absorb that deflection so the stiffer aftermarket steering parts are fixing the issue as well as the stiff aftermarket stabilizers. Everyone looking for a problem to fix when in fact the stabilizer is fixing the problem by absorbing the deflection in the lightweight componanents.

 

[Adam 4248]

I have read on Bronco forums, Dodge truck forums, military truck forums, about this issue. It can affect any of these trucks, leaf spring, coil spring, power steering, manual steering, old and new. The first fix to try is tire inflation, followed by tire rotation to eliminate the possibility of bent rim, out of balance tire, uneven tire wear, etc. (26 psi is too low, and allows too much slop, imo). The second most common fix is a beefier track bar, then a steering stabilizer. One guy had a loose pitman arm, caused by manufacturers defect; the pitman arm NUT would bottom out on the threads but look tight, while leaving the arm somewhat loose. So look for the simple and unusual; good luck!

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