My wife has a bone stock '99 2wd auto XJ that is having issues with some wobble over bumps and what feels like bottoming out over big road issues. I took it to a great shop which I trust here in town and they called today saying they couldn't find any major issues with it.

This isn't what I would consider death wobble, but more infrequent but does wobble very bad after hitting bad bumps until you slow down to almost 20 mph. Also, as I said the suspension creaks and "bottoms out" badly on large road issues (which we have a bit of here in San Antonio.)

Just wondering what I should start with as far as replacing suspension parts for these issues?

 

Sounds like the beginning of death wobble to me. Trackbar, control arm bushings, tierod ends and balljoints are suspect. Even tires. Have someone turn the wheel back and forth while you keep an eye on the suspension, to see if anything shifts or pops. The trackbar is usually #1 on that list.


How are the tires wearing? Jack it up and grab the tire at 6 and 12. If the tire wobbles, you need balljoints. Grab the wheel at 3 and 9. If the tire wobbles, you need tie rods.

The creaking and bottoming out could be deteriorated bushings. This includes your bumpstops. Bottoming out can damage the shocks if the bumpstops are falling apart or missing. Check the end links, too. I have driven vehicles with broken endlinks and the suspension would creak or even pop every now and then. I have seen where sway bars ate thru thier bushings, grinding away at the bracket (sounds like bad balljoints).


One would think that shop would have found something, because something isnt right. Did they bother driving it?

 

ended up being ball joints. thanks