Death Wobble. YJ......

[JeeperG]

Yea Yea I know death wobble has been covered and most my searches bring up XJ TJ problems...

But I have death wobble big time, sometimes doesn't even take a pothole to set it off.

I recentely replaced the driver side hub assembly and that didn't cure it.

SO Balljoints is my next guess.

So I guess question is which one do I replace 1 or all of them? I assume there all Original (its a 95) and I have never replaced them.

Also I have never done them what is required? A pickle fork? or some other special tool?

AND NO its not my steering stabalizer!!!!!!

 

[BioNuke1]

is it lifted? maybe with longer shackles affecting your caster?

 

[Hickey]

is it lifted? maybe with longer shackles affecting your caster?

What he said. Check your toe too. For balljoints, replace them all at once. A balljoint tool (big C-clamp) will make your job easier.

 

[wipedawg]

make sure your trackbar is tight as well.

 

[Col Mustard]

How are your tires worn? If everything else looks good, get them balanced. It could be they have a Dynamic imbalance. That is from side to side of the tire. A Dynamic imbalance is different from a Static imbalance. While spinning there is a lateral shift and that will cause a wobble or shimmy. Since both tires are tied together through the tie rod, these forces will travel across to the opposite wheel and fight each other.
Also, pick an empty road and try driving it up to speed where your wobble happens. As soon as it starts, try turning your wheel to the left or right for a quick sec. If it calms down, you have a dynamic imbalance.

 

[wipedawg]

If you do get them balanced get them done with the static balance. I work at a shop, and tried dynamic (weights on both sides) numerous times with no luck. Once i tried static (weight just on inside) it rode completely smooth. This rang true with my 33" xterrains and my 35" trxus mt's.

 

[Col Mustard]

If you do get them balanced get them done with the static balance. I work at a shop, and tried dynamic (weights on both sides) numerous times with no luck. Once i tried static (weight just on inside) it rode completely smooth. This rang true with my 33" xterrains and my 35" trxus mt's.

The static imbalance is the most common type of balance. This is done on a spin balancer and also is done through a bubble balancer where the tire lies horizontal and weight is added to the side opposite of the heavy spot. This cures the problem of the tire wanting to bounce up and done.

As tires wear, especially on our rigs when we don't rotate the front tires, the inside will wear uneven more than the outside. Also as we lose lugs on our tires or pieces of the outside, one side is out of balance from the other. This can only be cured through dynamic balancing unless the tires are so shot that they must be replaced.
So if you do get them balanced, go to a shop like Les Schwab that has a machine that will do both. Watch as they balance them using both tests.

Don't rely on just one to say the balancing is fine.

 

[DrMoab]

You will never listen to me Gifton...I bet in all the crap you have tried to fix it you STILL haven't rotated your tires to see if you got one thats badly out of ballance have you? Such an easy thing to do and I really have a gut feeling thats part of the problem.

 

[JeeperG]

You will never listen to me Gifton...I bet in all the crap you have tried to fix it you STILL haven't rotated your tires to see if you got one thats badly out of ballance have you? Such an easy thing to do and I really have a gut feeling thats part of the problem.

And lets say your theory doesn't work? Your wife can make me dinner. BTW whats for dinner tonight ?
Interesting I have never thought about moving the steering wheel back and forth when it happens.

Now that I think about it I have done a balljoint once on my old hoopty and I know who has a the tool I need.

Yes its lifted with I guess slightly bigger shackles.

Now how exactly do you check the toe? I know my uncle has a big machine I could probably use that checks all that, but is there another way?

 

[PBandCJ]

What he said. Check your toe too. For balljoints, replace them all at once. A balljoint tool (big C-clamp) will make your job easier.

harber freight sells the tool (maybe $30) it can do your u joints to? or rent it from checker for $100. deposit.

 

[JeeperG]

harber freight sells the tool (maybe $30) it can do your u joints to? or rent it from checker for $100. deposit.

Why spend money on a tool my brother has. His house is as far a drive as the nearest checker with 0 deposit.

 

[PBandCJ]

Why spend money on a tool my brother has. His house is as far a drive as the nearest checker with 0 deposit.

it's always nice to add to your own tool box :-\

 

[JeeperG]

it's always nice to add to your own tool box :-\

Yes this is true but I also live in an apartment right now and have very little room to store.