Death Wobble (again)

Jul 25, 2005 31 Replies

Ok, you confirmed it was true DW. I asked because it's very common for some to think DW is another way of describing what may just be a moder-to-bad shimmy.

And I was also just letting you know that replacing the tires still left your Jeep vulnerable for DW to happen again from just another out-of-balance or bad tire. After FIXING my Death Wobble years ago, I've had periodic out of balance and out-of-round wheels & tires with none of them causing DW. I can see how some would think replacing their tires "cured" their DW but even with the tires 'triggering' the DW event, the suspension should still be able to cope with the problem and dampen it out without allowing it to develop into full-blown DW.

DW also happens with Fords and Dodges that share a similar front-end to the TJ, as well as motorcycles and bicycles. It's a geometric issue with undesireable harmonics building upon each other that has so far, had an elusive answer to a permanent fix where tires don't have to be replaced just because one has a problem.

Jerry

DiezM> Jerry, I'm not questioning your skills/knowledge/whatever and I hate to

Those 2 older guy are very funny. but the best part is. I think Bill really knows his stuff I can't say too much about the other guy. It is evident that TIRES are the issue. especially when it did it to me in a new Rubicon (both of them).

I had some wobble issues in my stock '02. I was just over 70,000km and had the $ to get new tires....when I had the old ones removed they were worn on the insides.

I replaced with 31" Procomp XTerrains....LOVE'EM! Went out on the w/e and got myself further in to trouble than before....looking at a winch now! haha

Hey MikeR or any other Canucks...where's a good cheap place to get a front/rear bumper (winch ready) with shackles!

You know it is really a sad statement that DC cannot make a Jeep without a built in Death Wobble!

On all the older Jeeps, something had to be worn out in order to get the Death Wobble. A bad tire only causes a shimmy on them so after you fix the weight you knocked off or the bad tire, you still went and fixed the worn out part allowing that out of control situation to happen. If it was only a tire shimmy, then fixing the tire was fine.

A bad shimmy has the steering wheel out of control, the Death Wobble has the whole front axle going side to side and is very visible if you look out the window at it.

Now according you you poor souls, you can get the Death Wobble even on a 'perfect' new Jeep!

That say a lot to what 'quality' really means these days I guess.

OR is is a conspiracy by the Germans to have an excuse to kill the Jeep????

If it so inherently unstable, it isn't fit for the road so therefore in the cause of public safety, they will refrain from making any more of the 'Death traps'.

Hmmmm????

Mike

86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00 88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's

noblow50 wrote:

Any man should be happy with nine inches.

Steve

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L.W.(ßill) Hughes III wrote:

Mike, it's also happening with brand-new Dodges and Fords so the problem is not limited to Jeeps.

Jerry

Mike Roma> You know it is really a sad statement that DC cannot make a Jeep without

I have no complaints....

Mike

Steve wrote:

That sounds like they are trying to make the ride too soft or something....

Spongy bushings and......

I mean a truck is a truck for ride. There is a reason the best heavy trucks ride solid or harsh... Soft ride has to compromise something I guess.

Mike

Jerry Bransford wrote:

Bump steer and DW can be eliminated by converting to cross over steering. have a look here

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and here.
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