Noah911

I found this posted somewhere. It is for how to simplify checking at the steering box; a way to verify for seeing proper functioning happening at the steering box - inside of it, and at the linkages to and from it on both ends. I think this is great!

(copy & paste):
Rock the steering wheel back and forth. Watch the steering shaft where it enters the gear box and the pitman arm shaft where it comes out at the same time. If they both move at the same time and no slack between them the box should be good.

Other things to consider right now are going to be the stabilizer and tie rod ends. Maybe the ball joints?

I'll be looking at the shocks next.

Hunter_

Could try a string dampener, my ZJ had a slight death wobble at 55 and would stop around 60, I never bothered fixing it because all the roads around here were posted at 40 and the freeway is posted at 70 so id only experience it on the off hand. The previous owner of my WJ had a string dampener installed and I have never once had a death wobble with it. You might also want to check for play in the steering box where the pitman arm comes down.

Noah911

You are right. That is what I am doing is checking for play at both ends of the box, and also internally. If the box is okay? Then, I am going to look at the shocks. I will focus distal to the pitman arm after that..

I meant to say.. I also agree, and I was looking at putting in a new steering damper. They are inexpensive you know.

Noah911

I can't look at it until later. I am open to any suggestions? The ride is very deteriorated right now, and I really want to make it better. I think for sure a steering damper, but I think it's something else causing this problem? I need to find and fix it.

Hunter_

A common problem that could cause a "death wobble" is the track-bar as well. From the factory many jeeps have bolts that are just slightly too small for the hole on the bracket that comes off the body. if this is the case over time it rocks back and forth and opens the hole up a significant amount in some cases. The fix for this can be labor intensive, you can cut off and replace the bracket, you could drill it out and weld a washer in place of it, or you could drill it out and get an aftermarket track-bar. I had a buddy who had a death wobble that went away when he put a lift kit on his jeep. the new track bar he had used was much larger, it needed a completely different bracket on both ends to fit.

Noah911

I will definitely focus some attention at the bracket for the tracbar where it comes off from the body then.. Thanks!

Noah911

My problem is turning out to be multifactorial..