First Death Wobble! - AUSJEEPOFFROAD.COM Jeep News Australia and New Zealand

Steve · #1 15-10-2002

Happened on the way home from work. Still running the Swampers ATM. As some may or may not know the Swampers flat spot like hell after sitting all day/night. Like driving on square tyres until they warm up. Anyways leaving work today doing the normal thumpy thump, get up to about 50-60 k's and some uneven bumps in the road. The steering wheel starts shaking from side to side. Then it's like the suspension get caught in a chain reaction, starts to shake then just amplifies. Slowed down to stop the wobble. Speed up and same thing a minute later. Tyres warmed up and no more indications of the shakes. Strange shit! Leason: Let the tyres fully warm up before increasing speed.

NoFear · #2 15-10-2002

Sounds like fun. Maybe you need to wet your driveway, and do 4-wheel burnouts at the start of every trip?? :D

Jimmyb · #3 15-10-2002

would that be a offical recomendation from the constabulary....... sorry had to have joke..... [img]graemlins/headspin.gif[/img]

NoFear · #4 15-10-2002

Doh! :eek:

Jeeps · #5 15-10-2002

I had the same problem with my nissan ute when i borrowed a mates' 31" tyres. It turned out to be some crap inside the tyres working their way to the bead/rim. I didn't get them fixed, just handed them back... ;) [img]tongue.gif[/img]

billsta · #6 15-10-2002

welcome to my world.
that happened to me when i destroyed my steering damper.. that has to be the most scareiest thing i ever known. :D especially when it happens at 80km/h..

Wooders · #7 15-10-2002

Yup my seat still has cheek crease marks from when I used to get DW.....For those you you that haven't experienced true DeathWobble here's a breif description:
Generally 50-80km/h (although can happen at faster speeds).
Hit bump in road.
Sudden & EXTREMELY violent wobble in the steering wheel.
So strong it literally nearly rips out of your hands....naturally you are also not expecting it when it happens....
The only way to stop it is to virtually stop the vehicle.
I have seen this from the outside happen to an XJ - one wheel suddenly goes into a shopping trolley wobble......It's frightening to see even from the outside....

Steve as I'm sure your aware there's a range of possible causes - in your case it's start with the wheel balance.
However I'd also do a visual check to ensure that nothing is loose or bent or broken.
Lastly check your toe-in....