So a while back I was rippin it with some buddies in a 21year old jeep through the desert. Looking back I shouldn’t have been driving my 5k jeep like a 50k prerunner 😂. Anyway I hit a bump really hard and I split the axle housing in half. I got an axle from a 97 xj and installed it onto my 2000. This worked and all but ever since I’ve had this terrible knocking and death wobble. I’ve swapped ball joints. And put a bigger bolt in where the lower track bar mounts. But before I go and swap more new parts in. Any suggestions?

 

Put it up in the air and start shaking things around. Wheels hanging freely.

You broke something else, so go looking for it.

 

Often overlooked, yet common to cause death wobble are the control arm bushings. If you do a front end shakedown and still don't see anything loose, replace the control arm bushings. I just buy the control arms with new bushings pressed in. The only ones you have to press in yourself then are the 2 in the top of your axle.

 

Also, what do you mean you installed a "bigger bolt" for the lower track bar mount? A longer bolt? Or did you drill everything out to a larger diameter (and if so, why?)?

 

I'd also crawl under with it on the ground while someone turns the wheel back-n-forth. Looks and feel for sloppy joints or the steering box moving on the frame.

You did better than me. I only managed to bow the front axle about 1/2" in the middle after some unintentional air time. It got real noisy after that for some reason :}