Third Dampener Solution To Death Wobble?

[Zenk]

Ok just to clear this up... a few of you have mentioned a "steering damper" and a "steering stabilizer" as if they are two separate items. They are one and the same.

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[Carlton]

I guess the question is - would replacing a dampener temporarily mask a bad steering stabilizer?

A steering dampener and steering stabilizer are the same thing.

 

[Seansun01]

A steering dampener and steering stabilizer are the same thing.

So what is a vibration dampener? Service manager told me I needed one because of wobble issues when hitting rocks, bumps at about 50-55 mph. I was also told they’re on backorder and I can’t drive my car until it’s replaced. We’re looking at at least 2 weeks, mybe more I’m in a rental at the moment.

 

[Zenk]

 

[Edorand]

I had warranty replacement of stock stabilizer at 2k miles and again at 3k miles. I ended up just switching it out for Fox 2.0 and no issues in the last 1500 miles

 

[Killed by Death]

My 18 JLUR developed a wobble around 3/3.5K miles - some of you may know the headaches I've had with Jeep, local dealerships and generally getting issues resolved. Long story short, finally got in touch with someone at FCA and Jeep directly has been involved.

White Plains Jeep (my JLUR is kept in NYC) flat bedded my JLUR in for all warranty work including what was determined to be a faulty dampener. It was replaced with a new dampener, apparently a newer version / part # than what was already on it. Cut to 400 miles of driving (just hit a little over 5K on odometer) wobble started creeping back and is now back completely when hitting bumps on road.

Dealership is saying there's now a dampener that is non mopar that is the solution. Are these dampener replacements simply bandaging a larger issue? Steering stabilizer? Something else?

Are you stock? I'm not buying the dealers answer. Find it hard to believe 2 stabilizers went bad on you for no particular reason.

 

[Roky]

Death wobble can be caused by a variety of different things, one guys fix may not be your fix. Dampener most likely not your problem, if dealer insists on replacing it, tell him to put after market one on so you can move on and work on the real issue. Need to take it to another shop maybe, perhaps they won’t have tunnel vision, and think outside the box a little.

 

[Carlton]

So what is a vibration dampener? Service manager told me I needed one because of wobble issues when hitting rocks, bumps at about 50-55 mph. I was also told they’re on backorder and I can’t drive my car until it’s replaced. We’re looking at at least 2 weeks, mybe more I’m in a rental at the moment.

They are all the same thing, just different names for it.

 

[Oldtimer]

Can anyone who has had the problem resolved provide details about how the dealer fixed the problem? I am on my third steering damper (that's what the dealer keeps replacing, not a stabilizer bar), and the problem (while better) persists. 24 days in the shop total, three attempts, and they still can't figure it out. I don't fault the dealer, this is a known problem, but still need a resolution.

Ayuh, survived the death wobble challenge, and with the help of @JeepCares got it resolved...quickly. A hit to any expansion bridge, highway water drain, or pot hole, put the Sahara in a death wobble that could only be stopped with a death grip on the wheel, and slowing quickly until the vibration stopped. JeepCares helped expedite the “back ordered” replacement that Ive been running successfully now for 6k miles. BTW -12 here in Maine w/windchill and it still handles well.

 

[JC7]

A steering dampener and steering stabilizer are the same thing.

False

 

[Carlton]

False

Please enlighten me with your great knowledge.

 

[JC7]

Please enlighten me with your great knowledge.

You're right. I intended to quote an earlier OP reply about a stabilizer fixing a dampener. Looks like this has been beaten to death.

OP just bite the bullet and upgrade your steering setup. Stabilizers are just going to mask it and the dealership is going to continue to yank your chain. How much is your time and energy worth?

 

[Carlton]

You're right. I intended to quote an earlier OP reply about a stabilizer fixing a dampener. Looks like this has been beaten to death.

OP just bite the bullet and upgrade your steering setup. Stabilizers are just going to mask it and the dealership is going to continue to yank your chain. How much is your time and energy worth?

Correct. A steering stabilizer is basically putting a bandaid on. Usually a shimmy or wobble is caused by tire balance, loose, or worn parts.

In the JL it seems to be common so their may be a geometry, mechanical, or software issue. More than likely one of the first two.

 

[Carlton]

Additionally, it could be part strength related. I've seen posts where swapping in a new tie rod, draglink, and track bar corrected the issue.

 

[nymarty]

Ayuh, survived the death wobble challenge, and with the help of @JeepCares got it resolved...quickly. A hit to any expansion bridge, highway water drain, or pot hole, put the Sahara in a death wobble that could only be stopped with a death grip on the wheel, and slowing quickly until the vibration stopped. JeepCares helped expedite the “back ordered” replacement that Ive been running successfully now for 6k miles. BTW -12 here in Maine w/windchill and it still handles well.

What was the fix that JeepCares helped with? Part numbers? What exactly did they do to solve this? Just happened to me this weekend in my pure stock 2019 JL Sport S. Thanks!

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