The death wobble issue again......

[lockdup]

Well I've installed a 4.5" RE SA lift in the TJ. it is a 97 auto. I've put Q78 beadlocks on which balanced surprisingly well. got a rear track bar with a drop down bracket and also a front adjustable track bar. i havent touched the steering but the steering dampener doesn't run parallel to the steering arm.

Any ideas??? please help. i get serious death wobbles at over 60km/hr

thanks

[7ocko]

Best thing u can do is throw a spanner back over all your front end making sure all is tight, while ure there inspect all ure ball joints for movement .

[Rosie]

I went through death wobbles with the 4.5" lift for years until I went for the Dropped Panhard and Pitman Arm.

[lockdup]

I think I need the dropped pitman. Ill get it off wooders. Did you have s bracket for ur front panhard Rosie?

[Gianni]

I get a death wobble ever since a 2" lift, all opts are tight. Lowered rear pan hard. And moved front to suit extra length. Still happens mainly if I hit a bump hard enough.
It only happens once. Month or so and I just slow down a bit an it goes away so hasn't bothered me too much
I know fords have a similar wobble caused by brake booster

[lockdup]

Mine basically happens whenever i reach 60km/hr. Its is really bad. Im guessing the track bar mount and drop pitman arm might fix it.

[ian]

You need a wheel alignment to start. Also do you have adjustable upper arms? If so you need to set your caster. It will be out big time. With the lift it will also magnify and warm bushes ect. Prob your front panhard. Start with this before we go onto other causes.

[lockdup]

I do have adjustable top arms mate. I adjusted them as per the instructions

[ian]

You have fixed lower arms that come with the kit? Or stock?

[lockdup]

Fixed Re lower arms

[SeaComms]

Firstly, when you lift a TJ the draglink increases in angle pulling the front tyres together increasing your toe in. It could be as simple as a way to high toe in with the wheels constantly fighting against each other. Check you toe in, should be about 1/8 in when referencing front and rear of the tyres (if you are not sure how to measure, here is a good guide - http://www.stu-offroad.com/steering/align/align-1.htm)

If thats good, swap back to stock wheels and tyres and go for a drive, it could be your new beadlocks that although balanced nice and easy may have a faulty tyre (ie, hard spot, out of round etc).

If still the same, then you need to start checking all joints for movement under load, ie, one person under the front end looking at every joint checking for the wrong sort of movement while someone else swings the steering from 9 to 3, back and forth. Looking for movement in track bar bushes, track bar mounts (as in cracking welds), tie rod ends, etc.. Also jack up one wheel an inch or so off the ground then then use a shovel to lever the wheel up/drop down checking for vertical play in the ball joints.

[TOIIIIIIIOJ]

Or just take it to a Suspension specialists.

[lockdup]

I got the missus to turn the wheel as you said seacomms. there is alot of movement on the diff end of the track bar. ill remove it and check the bush.

[nitrobrent]

That would be it.Should be no movement.

[SeaComms]

Definitely a very good starting point!

I would still check your toe in though, especially if it hasn't been checked since the lift.

[Rosie]

Ah I was assuming you'd gone through all the basics, drill the holes out on that lower Panhard bracket and start with a larger bolt.

[Wooders]

I got the missus to turn the wheel as you said seacomms. there is alot of movement on the diff end of the track bar. ill remove it and check the bush.

This is exactly what I explained on the phone.
The bush IS shot. And is most likely the prime cause of any DW.

[lockdup]

You did Dave. I spoke to you an victor and you have both been very helpful. I'm going to pull the panhard off tonight to check the bush

[ian]

Don't bother checking it just replace it.

[Wooders]

Don't bother checking it just replace it.
What he said ;)

[lockdup]

Well I put my stock tyres on and no wobble. Could the 35's be causing the problem entirely?

[Wooders]

No. The 35's might be exagerating the problem, but if there is movement in the panhard bush it needs to be replaced.

[SeaComms]

You have to remember that death wobble is a harmonic vibration that needs to be set off by something, but can only happen if there is enough freeplay in the diff to chassis connection (track bar). So with the stock wheels on it it didnt happen, fantastic! Now take it for a drive to about 110 on the free way and hit a decent bump or pot hole. Guarantee it will be back.

Replace the bush, while at it double check ball joints and tie rod ends as any bout of decent wobbles can and will start to deteriorate other components. Bad tie rods wont give you death wobbles, but they will give you a good strong wheel shimmy that will stuff your track bar bushes again and lead you back to death wobbles again :)

[lockdup]

Thanks Seacoms and Wooders. I put the stock tyres on and will take it for a wheel alignment this weekend. Ill then take it down to DBOR and see what else if needs before i take it offroad. thanks to all for the help. Hopefully i get it fixed soon.

[Toff]

Wow. 2 Words:
Horse Water.

[lockdup]

????? horse water??

[Jonesy]

you can lead horse to water ..but can you make it death wobble

[Tonka Jeep]

This is exactly what I explained on the phone.
The bush IS shot. And is most likely the prime cause of any DW.

Ding Ding Ding, we have a winner.