Third Dampener Solution To Death Wobble?

[Leights7]

We have had several death wobble events in the last 2,000 miles with our 2018 JLUS. Started at 8,000 miles. We are at 10,500 miles now. It started with a shimmy, then a shimmy and wandering. While on the interstate my wife experienced the first full DW. Our dealer has been great. I was out of town when she limped into the service dept.. She was met by the Service manager and one of their senior techs. They drove it and it wasn't long before they returned white faced. They flashed the computer, checked ball joints and all suspension bolts, performed an alignment, tire balance and 5 tire rotation. Finally installed a new stabilizer, the updated, new and improved one. The new stabilizer looked beefier than the original. They show me both of them. It drove better than ever, until last week. I was in the Jeep this time. It started on the interstate, on level road at about 65 mph. I drove over a rough patch of pavement while approaching my exit. Instantly the Jeep began to shake violently to the point I thought I would lose control. I braked heavily and tried to keep the steering wheel straight. Before I regained control, I was almost halfway in the left lane. I'm thankful I wasn't on a two lane road with oncoming traffic. I may not be here today. It didn't stop until I got below 50 mph. I drove straight to the dealer (about 25 miles away). I never got above 55 mph. The service dept. took it on a test drive and it wasn't long until they replicated the problem. They gave me a nice loaner and I went home thinking it may take a few days. They called me the next day and had replaced the steering box, realigned, rotated and rebalanced the tires, rechecked ball joints and reset the tow to an angle suggested by a recently released service bulletin. Like I said previously, they are doing everything they can to fix the problem. I've driven about 400 miles with no issue. The new steering box made the steering tighter and more responsive, probably the best feel since we bought it. Time will tell if it is fixed for good. If it comes back, I'll see if the dealer will install a third party stabilizer and beef up the front suspension parts. If they won't, I will. They want me to keep tire pressure at 37 psi. That seems high IMHO during winter months. I'll post updates here.

Good to hear! Is there anything on the invoice that says what is the new service bulletin for the new toe adjustment?

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[jeepmikey]

The dealership that has been doing the work ordered:

- Fox steering stabilizer
- rough country longer control arms
- rough country track bar


I told them I’m not interested in having to come a fourth time of above isn’t solved this time around - recommenced they potentially replace steering box and check caster to confirm against bulletins.

I’m really hoping above solves all - if issue happens again, how many more times can you go to dealership for fixes before it’s declared a lemon typically or a larger issue?

 

[photowiz]

Good to hear! Is there anything on the invoice that says what is the new service bulletin for the new toe adjustment?

Not that I can see.

 

[SaddleTramp]

I went with the Fox stabilizer but it was also installed on a new housing as mine was bent on the drivers side, 4 degrees of camber so not sure if that was causing my wobble or not.

Anyway, straight housing (for now) Fox stabilizer and no shimmy's.

 

[Lak7]

I just received my Fox Stabilizer.
Can you re-used the existing hardware - nuts and bolts?
I thought I read you can't, but can't find that now.

 

[JLscorpio31]

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.

I've had some issues after my lift kit install. loose steering...Stop/start and Stabilitrak warning lights. after two trips to the dealership and couldn't figure it out. I had FCA and JeepCares involved and they did. FCA JeepCares assigned an engineer to work with the dealership. The Dealership even notified me that Jeep Engineers are working and notified them. If this wasn't resolved JeepCares was willing to pay monthly car payments until they figure it out or file to get my jeep replaced. Now I don't have any other issues to date...my point is really get them involved and complain. they will assign you a person and converse with them daily.

 

[JLRubi111]

waitng for my steering stabilizer on bk order jeep has been in shop since last Monday the 11th , today is 2/18/2019 hmmm

 

[ekimgnuj]

I've had some issues after my lift kit install. loose steering...Stop/start and Stabilitrak warning lights. after two trips to the dealership and couldn't figure it out. I had FCA and JeepCares involved and they did. FCA JeepCares assigned an engineer to work with the dealership. The Dealership even notified me that Jeep Engineers are working and notified them. If this wasn't resolved JeepCares was willing to pay monthly car payments until they figure it out or file to get my jeep replaced. Now I don't have any other issues to date...my point is really get them involved and complain. they will assign you a person and converse with them daily.

Thanks for the tip,I appreciate it! I’ve been conversing with Jeep Cares but so far they have just been monitoring the dealer’s attempts to fix, they are now working to get an FCA technician involved is my understanding. Thanks!

 

[lak56]

Hi nymarty,
We're very sorry that you have experienced this. Please send us a private message so we can have this documented and addressed further for you.
Lydia
Jeep Social Care Specialist

Lydia:
How long does it take to get a reply from Jeep Care (do you really?). I made a call and am waiting for a specialist to be assigned. My 2018 Wrangler Unlimited JL is in the shop for the 4th time. 1st time they did a "complete electronic reset;" 2nd time, they replaced a bad bushing; third time, replaced a dampener. None of the "fixes" lasted more than a week. DW started at 22,000 miles and is always at highway speed.

 

[JeepCares]

Lydia:
How long does it take to get a reply from Jeep Care (do you really?). I made a call and am waiting for a specialist to be assigned. My 2018 Wrangler Unlimited JL is in the shop for the 4th time. 1st time they did a "complete electronic reset;" 2nd time, they replaced a bad bushing; third time, replaced a dampener. None of the "fixes" lasted more than a week. DW started at 22,000 miles and is always at highway speed.

Hi lak56,
We're truly sorry that this has not been resolved for you. Please send us a private message with your VIN and I will gladly look into this for you.
Lydia
Jeep Social Care Specialist

 

[JLRubi111]

FCA care speclialist Melissa nice lady, is Having dealer ship put after market front steering stabilizer, FOX brand , well lets hope this takes care of wondering ,drifting issue. three mopar steering stabilizers defective , WOW,

 

[JLscorpio31]

FCA care speclialist Melissa nice lady, is Having dealer ship put after market front steering stabilizer, FOX brand , well lets hope this takes care of wondering ,drifting issue. three mopar steering stabilizers defective , WOW,

please update us. thanks

 

[californiajeeping]

 

[Joe jl]

Lydia:
How long does it take to get a reply from Jeep Care (do you really?). I made a call and am waiting for a specialist to be assigned. My 2018 Wrangler Unlimited JL is in the shop for the 4th time. 1st time they did a "complete electronic reset;" 2nd time, they replaced a bad bushing; third time, replaced a dampener. None of the "fixes" lasted more than a week. DW started at 22,000 miles and is always at highway speed.

Mine started at 21,000 miles Nd basically the same, every attempt to fix it lasts only so long before it is back

 

[JeepCares]

Mine started at 21,000 miles Nd basically the same, every attempt to fix it lasts only so long before it is back

We're sorry to hear about this, Joe jl. Please send us a private message so we can have this documented and looked into further for you.
Lydia
Jeep Social Care Specialist

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