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death wobble question

Discussion in 'Wrangler JL (2018+)' started by AGeezerAndHisJeep, May 11, 2022.

  1. May 11, 2022 at 1:50 PM
    #1
    AGeezerAndHisJeep

    AGeezerAndHisJeep [OP] Member

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    Michael
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    2022 2 door Sport S
    tow base plate, side rails
    I just bought a 2022 2 door Wrangler Sport S and when looking through the Jeep forums I came across a lot of posts about the Jeep death wobble. I had never had this issue with the earlier Jeeps I owned (2 Libertys and a Renegade, all Trail Rated *) but reading about this made me do some research online. One of the articles I read said that FCA had identified the source of the problem and issued both a recall and a fix for it back in (I think it was) 2019. **

    So, having read that, I wondered if it was still a problem with newer Jeeps (like my 2022) and, if so, does it show up only in those who do a lot of rock crawling? Or does it also show up in those who just drive on normal paved and/or smooth roads?

    My main concern is not that it would happen to me when driving. I guess I would just slow down, stop and get started again which I believe fixes it, but whether I might see this while towing the Wrangler behind an RV. I would just as soon get where I wanted to go without finding everything all screwed up from the Jeep wobbling and destroying the towing equipment.

    * I guess I now have a real Jeep. :)

    ** See here.
     
  2. May 11, 2022 at 6:28 PM
    #2
    MTgeezer

    MTgeezer Well-Known Member

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    441 sbc/AGEM22W/"Super"D18/D44s-ARBs-Dutchman
    I think death wobble is a potential problem on all the solid axle front suspensions. All the MB/GPW/CJ/Willys wagon & trucks and the FC's can suffer that malady. My JK started doing that with 32 k on the odometer. I replaced the tie rod/drag link with Currie items and replaced the track bar heim joint with a much heavier greasable version along with new poly bushings on the other end. That fixed the problem






    for now-------- I suspect ball joints and control arm bushings are next on the list.
     
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  3. May 13, 2022 at 4:52 PM
    #3
    o|||||||o

    o|||||||o Well-Known Member

    Joined:
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    A few.
    Well, I was driving 35mph trying to get to the shop and had to stop every 100 yrds or so. I wasn’t scared but it was a mess to get there … no joke. They took it over right away, too unsafe to drive anymore ..

    Had the front and half of the rear rebuilt due to an $&@4(73’dk mechanic who had installed my lift without proper alignment.

    0FCCDBE1-2986-4516-80BB-5A711DAE8364.jpg
     
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  4. May 13, 2022 at 9:15 PM
    #4
    JKBob 25

    JKBob 25 Well-Known Member

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    Jersey Shore, NJ
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    WOW....Dat sucks. And I know is quite costly. :spending::annoyed:
     
  5. May 14, 2022 at 7:16 AM
    #5
    o|||||||o

    o|||||||o Well-Known Member

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    A few.
    It was $4,000 to fix it, yup.
    All good since then, even better now with the long arms! Ha! However, wasn’t able to test drive much as I am down with Covid since I got him back .. UGH.
     
    JKBob 25 likes this.
  6. May 14, 2022 at 7:34 AM
    #6
    aggrex

    aggrex Well-Known Member

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    DE
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    Backcountry '16
    Tuffy>AEV>TTO>JW>STech>EVOcage>MagnaFlow>SpiderTrax>RockHard>TF>SpringTail>67design>Bolt>GPCA>Curt>
    Hope you bounce back real soon. Here’s something to make you smile. 86B9C1E1-0B3F-4B4E-AFBC-AB127D9268DD.jpg
     
    LYFZGOOD and JKBob 25 like this.
  7. May 14, 2022 at 8:01 AM
    #7
    o|||||||o

    o|||||||o Well-Known Member

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    A few.
    LOL.

    It’s indeed no joke. UGH. ‍
     
    JKBob 25 and aggrex like this.
  8. Jun 6, 2022 at 12:30 PM
    #8
    Justanotherjeeper

    Justanotherjeeper Well-Known Member

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    Peter
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    2011 Red Wrangler 2 door
    paid cash for it.
    In my experience, death wobble occurs primarily in solid axle 4X4 systems, and was more prevalent back in the old days when old timey bias belted tires were used and routinely mismatched. Times were harder in the 50's and 60's. There's a lot of moving parts to the front end of a 4X4, and with suspension wear, leaking shocks, broken/cracked/weak springs and poor tires, sometimes a wobble or vibration can start a violent shake that makes it difficult to control the vehicle above even moderate speeds. I've had this on Jeeps, but also on Toyota 4X4s mostly with solid axles. Its an easy fix, but expensive, essentially requiring a rebuild of the worn parts - something safety dictates even without death wobble convincing you to do it. I've never heard of death wobble occurring randomly on a new vehicle without worn parts. It's always a message that says "fix me!"
     
    JKBob 25 and aggrex like this.
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