What to do next....Death Wobble

[SteveFinn]

I keep thinking it's gone....but then it rears it's ugly head.

unmodified 2018 JLU Sport S, 92,000 miles. Here's everything I've done (in order) so far, since the wobble started at 78k miles:

replaced Steering Stabilizer
replaced Track Bar
replaced Shocks
had Ball Joints replaced
had Alignment done
replaced Tires/Wheels with new takeoff steelies/stock michelins from a 2023 (should have had these balanced....but I just put them on)

I thought the Track Bar cured it, then I thought the Ball Joints cured it....then I thought the new tires cured it.....3 strikes.

2 different mechanics see nothing wrong, except one of them thinks the steering box is a problem (original aluminum part)

I hit a bump at 65 mph yesterday and it took a long time to stop the wobble. Also, maybe unrelated, about a month ago I had a bad episode of bump steer on a tight onramp (chalked that up to going too fast). My problems seem to mostly revolve around hitting a bump with the driver-side tire when the wheels are turned to the right.

Appreciate any ideas. TIA

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[chevymitchell]

I keep thinking it's gone....but then it rears it's ugly head.

unmodified 2018 JLU Sport S, 92,000 miles. Here's everything I've done (in order) so far, since the wobble started at 78k miles:

replaced Steering Stabilizer
replaced Track Bar
replaced Shocks
had Ball Joints replaced
had Alignment done
replaced Tires/Wheels with new takeoff steelies/stock michelins from a 2023 (should have had these balanced....but I just put them on)

I thought the Track Bar cured it, then I thought the Ball Joints cured it....then I thought the new tires cured it.....3 strikes.

2 different mechanics see nothing wrong, except one of them thinks the steering box is a problem (original aluminum part)

I hit a bump at 65 mph yesterday and it took a long time to stop the wobble. Also, maybe unrelated, about a month ago I had a bad episode of bump steer on a tight onramp (chalked that up to going too fast). My problems seem to mostly revolve around hitting a bump with the driver-side tire when the wheels are turned to the right.

Appreciate any ideas. TIA

May be time for new control arms. (Bushings)

Apply steering box TSB.

Get tires checked again.

 

[Remorseless]

Given that you're in a 2018 and you've replaced so many parts, I'd also check for janky broken welds on the trackbar frame and axle brackets, which . Long shot, but between @chevymitchell's suggestions and that, you're covering the whole front end.

More details here: Track bar frame weld issue recall! [Updated with official UA5 recall notice w/ repair procedure] | Jeep Wrangler Forums (JL / JLU) -- Rubicon, 4xe, 392, Sahara, Sport - JLwranglerforums.com

 

[JT1]

I keep thinking it's gone....but then it rears it's ugly head.

unmodified 2018 JLU Sport S, 92,000 miles. Here's everything I've done (in order) so far, since the wobble started at 78k miles:

replaced Steering Stabilizer
replaced Track Bar
replaced Shocks
had Ball Joints replaced
had Alignment done
replaced Tires/Wheels with new takeoff steelies/stock michelins from a 2023 (should have had these balanced....but I just put them on)

I thought the Track Bar cured it, then I thought the Ball Joints cured it....then I thought the new tires cured it.....3 strikes.

2 different mechanics see nothing wrong, except one of them thinks the steering box is a problem (original aluminum part)

I hit a bump at 65 mph yesterday and it took a long time to stop the wobble. Also, maybe unrelated, about a month ago I had a bad episode of bump steer on a tight onramp (chalked that up to going too fast). My problems seem to mostly revolve around hitting a bump with the driver-side tire when the wheels are turned to the right.

Appreciate any ideas. TIA

Check for movement in the draglink and/or tierod.

 

[Blonson]

Sell it.

 

[Terpsmandan]

I would check the frame side sway bar mount. If it has rounded out due to wear and DW episodes, that might be an issue. Also have the caster angle checked. Adjustable LCA's will let you dial some more positive caster in and that will help. I am on 37's with a Mopar lift and after 30000 miles got a nasty DW. I fixed it with MetalCloak control arm drop brackets and they allowed me to pull the top of the axle back a bit and that cured my issue.

 

[silverooby]

I cured mine with a steering box/track bar reinforcement bracket. The track bar seemed solid even before installing this, but apparently it takes very little track bar movement to cause wobble.

 

[Mojave Dust]

I installed Metalcloak's sector shaft brace and it really seemed to stiffen up the steering. Steering wheel has a lot less shake and wobble when hitting potholes. Takes some of the stress off the drag link and pitman arm and transfers it to the frame.

 

[SteveFinn]

I installed Metalcloak's sector shaft brace and it really seemed to stiffen up the steering. Steering wheel has a lot less shake and wobble when hitting potholes. Takes some of the stress off the drag link and pitman arm and transfers it to the frame.

Thanks for the suggestion but it says it doesn’t work with a factory ride height Jeep

 

[Mudduck]

Thanks for the suggestion but it says it doesn’t work with a factory ride height Jeep

Synergy makes one also. There are several to look at. a set of front control arms are cheap enough.

 

[TheBirdie72]

 

[Willys_Wonka]

I would get the steering box TSB done, consider upgrading the front LCS’s to Mopar(they are cheap). Is the front track bar HD? I run an adjustable Yeti HD, it’s outstanding.

 

[SteveFinn]

I would get the steering box TSB done, consider upgrading the front LCS’s to Mopar(they are cheap). Is the front track bar HD? I run an adjustable Yeti HD, it’s outstanding.

I’d love to get steering box changed out for the steel version….I don’t know if Jeep will do anything for me at 92,000 miles. The steering box TSB states it ‘will not correct a sustained steering shake, shimmy, or vibration’

I installed a Rubicon Express adjustable track bar. It seemed like a upgrade over stock…felt heavy duty in comparison.

 

[Jtphoto]

Being that it’s stock height caster shouldn’t be an issue. What trackbar did you instal? What tire pressure?
Steering box would be my guess at this point.

 

[Willys_Wonka]

I’d love to get steering box changed out for the steel version….I don’t know if Jeep will do anything for me at 92,000 miles. The steering box TSB states it ‘will not correct a sustained steering shake, shimmy, or vibration’

I installed a Rubicon Express adjustable track bar. It seemed like a upgrade over stock…felt heavy duty in comparison.

Possibly try the steering shaft brace and LCA’s. The steering box TSB I think corrects loose steering, excessive play in the wheel.

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