XJdryva

I have diagnosed my front end for the better part of a month now and I think I have a pretty good idea. Like I said before in previous posts, the wobble is the worse when I turn left really fast or when I hit pot holes just right with the left front tire. I noticed every time I go wheeling that the problem worsens. Now it won't go over 55 at all without wobbling itself to pieces and I already cleaned out the mud from the wheels and if by some chance you get it to not wobble, it rides smooth as silk. The only loosness I have found besides the lower track bar bushing (will be replaced tomorrow) is the actual steering box. The steering shaft actually moves side to side in the box when someone rocks the wheel back and forth. I have a theory that this might be the problem at last and that a 2 wheel drive xj box may have less wear and tear than a 4X4. What do you guys think? For those of you using the app that can't see the profile, it's a 97 with 2in lift spacers running 31s with 140k

tjwalker

Track bar is one of the top three causes of death wobble.

You must be sure the track bar is solid before moving onto other suspects.

Good luck and let us know how it goes!

XJdryva

The track bar is pretty solid but I think it would be best to replace it to rule that out plus it looks like it's the original one. I'm pretty sure my box is junk though

XJ.89.Limited

I diagnosed my death wobble the other day. My right front tire is out of alignment pretty good. I have the same problem but on the right side. Every time I turn slightly to the right above like 45 the whole front end shakes. Especially on bumps. It turns normally after I get past a certain point. Its really weird. I figured once I get it aligned it should be fine.

tjwalker

Replace it. They aren't that expensive.

Even the tiniest bit of play in the track bar can cause death wobble.

The track bar was the culprit with death wobble on my 99.

XJdryva

It's in the mail and should be here tomorrow

tjwalker

Keep us updated. I'm always interested in the specific "fix" for death wobble.

XJdryva

Ok got the new track bar in and things seem better. Hitting bumps won't get it to death wobble anymore. I have to be going exactly 52 mph and jerk the wheel hard to the left to get it to do it. While I was under there I grabbed the pitman arm and yanked it up and down and the box actually gave out an audible knock. I'm heading to the SY this weekend to yank the box out from under a 2wd 2001 model cuz theoretically it should be less abused than a 4X4

XJdryva

Ok got one out of a 99 4X4 cuz it was the only one I could get the pitman arm nut off of without messing it up. It seems to be a lot tighter and has a seal at the bottom between the pitman arm and the box on the steering shaft. My Jeep is missing this seal. I'll have it installed in a few so I'll keep yall posted on my results

XJdryva

Got it in, test drove, and tightened up everything and it's night and day difference. It handles more like a late model truck and less like a 1940 model dump truck missing a wheel. I did all the death wobble trials I could muster up and only one actually caused it. Cornering left at exactly 55mph. I think I have a questionable passenger's side upper ball joint to blame for that but otherwise it works awesome. It's windy as hell here in Oklahoma today and even the wind doesn't seem to have it's way with my jeep like it used to. I can actually keep it between the lines instead of just the ditches

tjwalker

Thanks for updating us. You are making good progress. Now get some high quality ball joints in there and hopefully that will completely take care of it!

QWallXJ

I just fixed my death wobble. My trackbar was about to fall off. It had barely even been out back on after the lift. Then, I got it aligned and they took care of it for me. It's amazing how $30 can change something that much.

XJdryva

Mine just has Corvette handling and still does it lol. I'll just avoid 55 since that is literally the only speed I can get it to do it. I'm thinking about doing a full set of ball joints and tie rod ends in the near future just to say they've been replace and I know they have been

strawb

i had death wobble in my xj for a short time ..... i re-tightened all the bolts in the front axle as well as re-greased the ball joints and bushings .....

made sure my track bar was parallel ...... rotated my tires .... and had the front end aligned and both front tires balanced .....

better make sure you do all the necessary checks before spending money on parts .....

you might get lucky and the DW goes away .....

hope this helps

XJdryva

Got a new track bar, got it aligned right after I lifted it, balanced the tires about a month ago. I think I'm good with doing the ball joints and tie rods as preventative maintenance if nothing else