I bought an 03 TJ about three months ago. Didn't realize it was developing front end problems. It's basically stock except for an aftermarket stabilizer and 2" poly-bushing lift above the coil springs. The tires are 31" BFGs. I took it back to the car lot to repair under warranty after I tried rotating the tires to see if it helped. Rotating made the problem way worse so I'd say the tires are at least part of the problem. They have been working on it for about four days. So far with new upper an lower ball joints on the DS, one new TRE, allignment, and a new track bar with bushings it's still not fixed. Today they are waiting for a new steering gear box. I am losing faith.

This must be that "Jeep thing" I've been hearing about.

Sounds like the shop is just guessing at this point and swapping parts until it goes away.

In your case, I'm betting its the BFG's aren't evenly worn and are causing most of the problem. I'm almost certain that if you swapped two new tires on the front, your troubles would be over. I had similar issues with the original Goodyears in under 30k miles. I had the same issues return the last time I rotated the BFG's I have on now.

I added a 3.5" lift and that amplified things (slightly less so after the alignment).

So far, I've only replaced the Front Track Bar and most of the issue is gone even with the suspect BFG's still on (waiting for new tires/wheels). I rotated the like new spare on the drivers side which also helped.

Replacing the worn stuff is a good idea, if it's actually worn out.

For reference, mine is a '05 with 100,000 miles on it now.

All you need is a shop worth their salt. i run 35's now and still no steering stabilizer, just currie steering with RE 4.5 LA. Highway is fine, no wobble at all.

Right on, one of my neighbors has a couple of Cherokees and I'm going to try swapping tires and wheels with him. If that does the trick, I wanted new tires anyway.

Thanks.

I get DW only when I run low air pressure in my tires on the street like around 20psi.

Trying the other set of tires and wheels made no difference. After some searching it looks like there is some kind of aftermarket track bar relocation bracket on the passaenger side. I wonder if this even needs to be there with this 2" spring spacer lift. At a glance it also looks like the front axle is not centered. The tire on the passenger side sticks out about a 1/4 to 3/8" farther than the driver side.

Let them keep replacing parts until everything is new, then adjust the toe alignment and you'll be set... Toe in can cause death wobble.

from what ive personally seen, i would just go over everything loosen then retighten things (especially look at the pitman arm to see if its on there tight) before you go changing everything. this seems to help most of the vehicles ive worked on with DW.

I pulled the track bar out to examine the mounts and they look fine. Found the rod-end style joint can be compressed about 3/16" with channel locks. I removed the lower TB relocation bracket and remounted using the stock location. This put the axle back in center of the chassis although now my steering wheel is off center. That should be easy to adjust. The car lot replaced the TB and SS and said they made no improvement so they took them back off and knowingly put the bad parts back on. Don't buy anything from Northland Auto Sales in Gladstone, MO or use there service department unless you want to get ripped off! I'm going to try a Moog TB and new heavy duty SS to see what happens. Should only cost about $180 and they are easy to change. So far the DW seems to happen less offten since the last few changes, but has not gone away completely.

Take it to a good line up shop, if you haven't already and get the front end checked for tightness and just as important the caster setting as well.

Let them keep replacing parts until everything is new, then adjust the toe alignment and you'll be set... Toe in can cause death wobble.

So, I can go change the toe settings on any of my 4 TJ's and induce DW?

Yes, try it.

Select the alignment section and read here:
http://www.jpmagazine.com/techarticles/154_0906_fixing_jeep_death_wobbles/index.html

The Firestone that did the allignment said they can only adjust TOE. The manager I spoke to has even had a couple of Jeeps.

I replaced the OE TB with an adjustable one made by Superlift. It has poly bushings instead of rubber and you have to drill out the factory mounting hole to 1/2". The end that mounts to the frame has a hiem joint instead of the rod-end type ball joint. The DW is nearly gone. It's only happened once in three days and that was on the highway. I still need to put the new SS on because the old one from Skyjacker is leaking oil past a seal. Tried when I put on the new TB but couldn't get the stud out of the tie rod.