Stevo1971

Hey folks, so I’ve been having wobbling issues with the front end at or around 60 mph. After inspecting I found the U joint on the left side needed replacing. Did that. Still wobbling. Replaced the wheel bearing hub as it’s been at least 5 years since I did that last. Still wobbling.
Took tire off and checked all bolts for any loose ones. Nothing there but I broke off a brake caliper bolt from over tightening. Replaced them.
Not really sure where to go from here. Don’t know if it’s related but I’m hearing a click click click as I’m slowing down matching rotation of the wheels or axle.
My stepson suggested replacing the tie rods.

tech

Have you check the ball joints ? and check the tie rod ends and the tire balance ,

J_T_CARTER

I can't explain the clicking, but is the wobbling in your steering wheel? if so then you can but a jack under your front axle but only lift it high enough to take the weight off the tires. then turn on the vehicle so you have power steering. crawl under the vehicle and manually spin your steering shaft. from there look for other parts in your steering that should/shouldn't be moving. that's the best way I can explain how to fix "death wobble"

Stevo1971

It’s not in the steering so much. Feels like it originates from elsewhere and can be felt in the steering. This Jeep is 27 years old. I do not believe the tie rods or ball joints have ever been replaced.

Stevo1971

when you say check them out, what am I looking for? Everything is pretty tight, no excess play or any play for that matter. All I know is they are probably original.

Stevo1971

I’m wondering if I schedule a front end alignment he’d be able to tell me if something is off.

tech

Any looseness or play , for the steering just get some one to turn the steering about 1/2 a turn back and forth to see if there any play or looseness in any tie rod end . For the ball joints lift up the front end and let the tire hang there then use a pry bar to lift the tire to see if any movement in the ball joint if there is replace it .

Stevo1971

Okay thanks I’ll do this in the morning

EZEARL

Yes if it can't be aligned. Even if it can be aligned make sure to ask if any of the steering components were questionable.
You can check for tie rod (ball stud) looseness as tech describes but just because you don't see any play they may still be worn out. All but one of mine had no resistance at all but no visible play.

Jordan Brabra

im having the same issues and me and my mechanic are stumped. At around 60-70 if i hit a bump or a shift in concrete on the road i get a second of death wobbles and it straightens out but im getting a tapping sound whenever i hit my breaks while going over 25 mph or when i hit the base of a hill and get the suspension flexing a little. I do know my stearing gear box needs replaced as per my mechanic and it almost failed inspection for "loose stearing but not loose enough to fail" im about as mechanically inclined as you tube videos will let me be. I have a bone stock 99 cherokee with the 4.0 straight 6 with 94,792 miles all city miles and never offroaded. Any suggestions of parts to check would be helpful. The tapping sound sounds like ur stopping a plastic fan with ur finger and matches tire rotation when i slow down. I just inherited it from a friends grandfather who passed away a month ago

country2

Mine would do the death wobble around same speed but was not caused by bumps it would do it going straight and just out of the blue. I knew the front end was pretty much original s I said hell with it and rebuilt the entire front end except for the u-joints as someone had replaced those before and were fine. Too tell the truth only thing I found really bad was the mounting hole for track bar was no longer round. It drives like a new vehicle now and no wobble at all.

paddler

Also check wheel bearing adjustment. Death wobble on my '97 F350 (solid axle, leaf springs) was a loose wheel bearing. On that one, onset was different... moderate speed, say 30 to 40, bump... often a wobble. Adjusted bearing, issue solved.

Speed-related wobble could be any looseness in the suspension system, or maybe even the sum of all worn parts even if if none is individually bad.

Also, no one has mentioned tire roundness or balance. While worn parts elsewhere "allow" the death wobble, a tire issue might be what "excites" or starts the death wobble.

I'm rehabilitating a new-to-me 96, first Jeep, and have had it up to 55 briefly with no problems. Next test is interstate at 70. I'm hoping I don't have to do down this diagnostic path myself!

Stevo1971

I had my wife turn the steering wheel back and forth while I looked for any play. Front end jacked up 2 inches off the ground. As I said before, ball joints and tie rod ends probably were never changed in 27 years if maybe once since.
I did not see any movement while doing the ball joint test with a pry bar. I did not see any play with any tie rod ends. Nor the pitman arm and linkage.
The only unexpected movement I found was the drag link turning ever so slightly. Would this be normal? If not, would it be the damper is finally bad or some other piece needs replaced.
Thanks ahead

Stevo1971

explain “rebuilt the entire front end” so I know exactly what you mean. Tie rod ends? Ball joints?
Thanks

EZEARL

I recently had to replace all the steering linkage,control arms,and track bar on my '96. All were original with around 180K miles on them. Hubs and ball joints are fine. You could start replacing parts (called firing the parts cannon around here) or find a shop you can trust that specializes in front end alignments and repairs and see what they can tell you. Could just be something simple and cheap to fix.