Bustedknuckle

Okay, allow me to rant for a few. I'm not trying to single out any members, so please don't take it that way. This is meant to be more informative, and show/explain to newer or less experienced members exactly what the symptoms of death wobble are, not necessarily the cure, just the effects of it.

"Death Wobble" (aka bump steer) has become quite the buzz word as of recent years on Jeep forums. Most won't ever experience it. However, with a small lift, and adding tires, some think, or are convinced they have it. Why? Because it's a buzz word.

From what I've seen, I'd say 8/10 people who claim to have death wobble, actually are just suffering from an unbalanced tire. But again, it's a buzz word, and buzz words are classy.

Death Wobble, no matter how much of a bad **** you are, is gonna scare the ever living hell out of you. It's sudden, unexpected, and your gut reaction is to brake. It's a serious issue, and a real safety concern, you in essence loose most or all control of the vehicle. A wheel balance issue or steering/alignment issue are just a minor inconvenience in retrospect.

If you need an example, take a look at this video. The term bump steer is exactly as it sounds. The vehicle hits a bump, which then steers the truck on it's own, throwing both front wheels violently back and forth.

In this case, it's a improperly lifted F-250. Watch the front wheels starting at 1:10. All it took was the tiny lip of the bridge to throw the front end of the truck into it's own geometrical nightmare. Wheel balance issues don't look or feel like that.

If you need to verify, keep watching the in cab footage. Again, a wheel balance or even drive-line vibration issue is never going to be that bad.


Like I said, not trying to pick on anyone, just educate. Keep your tires balanced and rotated every 6 months or 6k miles, and have the balanced checked 2 times a year.

BALDSLUG

LOL.....We just had a blizzard up here in wisconsin........I was experiencing "death wobble". The high pressure car wash cured it! (Removed snow and ice trapped in wheels on passenger side). That little bit of snow and/or ice caused wobble over 50 mph. I thought the snow would fly out of the rim but it was packed in there....car wash, car wash

Irongrave

great post man. slight vibrations are not death wobble they are just that vibrations. death wobble is exactly what you posted if your rig is not doing that over a bump or at certain speeds YOU DON"T HAVE DEATH WOBBLE.

tavish_g

Yeah death wobble will scare you almost to well death, my girl refuses to ride in my jeep after she was riding with me one day and we ran over some train tracks and the whole front end felt like it was shifting left and right rather violently, I wonder now though what will happen when the death wobble occurs on some ice? I've been able to lessen it considerably with toe adjustment, but she still refuses to ride, I fear that even after the dw is completely fixed she still won't ride, it was just that scary for her.

OHHNOES

Yeah I scarred a buddy and told him I had a slight wobble to come and check it out. Got to about 45mph and the whole damn truck started to violently shake. It scarred the **** out of him and me the first time.

XJLuke

SPOT on, I never thought to video tape it happen! Though it dont take a lift to do it. Ive had it happen with the stock suspension. Through some extensive trial and error I've figure out what 3 4&5 Star Jeep dealerships couldnt figure out. Unbalanced tire is a big part, but you're steering stabilizer is supposed to compensate for this if it is in good working condition, i.e. no fluid leaking is an initial sign. Even if its brand new it will slowly be killed if you're tires are unbalanced enough to cause the **** Youre Pants Death Wobble.

I have also discovered that Jeeps especially XJs are notorious for warping the front rotors. This by its self can cause even a balanced tire to vibrate which will lead to the SYPDW because the outer pad of youre caliper is constantly in contact with you're rotor.

Any one of the three things can cause one of the other things to go bad and lead to SYPDW. So I would recommend looking at all three things if you ever get the SYPDW. Fix one problem like I did the first time it happened and it will come right back.

Bigger tires can easily cause this problem as well as Bustedknuckle said.

I have found that aside from very badly unbalanced tires the STABILIZER is the biggest problem. Most stock, auto parts store and even many aftermarket ones BLOW, literally. I run the Old Man EMU one and it has been eating pot holes for 3+ years, I wouldnt trust a stock one more than a year. I recently moved from 30.5 A/Ts to 31.5 M/Ts on rims with a 1/2 of offset, and have noticed a strain on the one stabilizer and am planning on going to a dual stabilizer set up.

BTW, you guys are gonna see a lot of posts from me once I figure out how to, HAHAHAHAHAHAHAH. If there's three things I love in this world it my GF, my XJs, my dog, and that order changes day to day. AHAAHAhHAhA

Schindler

That looks pretty freaky! Had that happen to me in my car. Snow packed rims. Got on the freeway and the driver front wheel (front wheel drive) let go of the snow while the passenger wheel did not. At 70mph, I was glad I was driving a sports car and was able to only take up two lanes and slow it down. Good post. Definitely something to keep in the back of your mind so you dont panic and make the situation worse.

Bustedback

Great post, but you forgot to mention that a steering stabilizer will not cure or cause death wobble issues, only mask them a little.

cornrush

i agree death wobble is one of the scariest things iv been through i had just gotton my licens when in happend to me and at the time i was on the entrence ramp on to the free way im only 16 so not the most experiensed on the road

XJLuke

U are correct sir, I didnt make that clear. The stabilizer only masks the prob, thats why U need to try to repair all 3 things at the same time. Also check the upper ball joint on your track bar if you've experience the SYPDW I've seen them damaged or loose after this problem.

SlackJaw

Great post...spot on!!