I need some help getting rid of a case of "death wobble".
What has me curious is it came out of nowhere.
Set up is simple and all I need for general off road use:
'06 TJ under 14K miles.
2" budget boost.
10.5x31 BFG AT's
History:
All has been on for for a year with no troubles.
Daily commute sees me at 35-40 MPH max. (Only 4 miles to work one-way, no freeways).
Last freeway/highway driving was in February this year (hunting season ended)
Wife and son occasionally drive in town. They report no curb checks or pot hole smashes while they had her on the road.
Current:
About 2 moths ago I began feeling more vibration in the steering wheel on rough roads and railroad crossings.
Before the school year ended I asked my son to have the auto shop rotate the wheels and check the brakes all around.
Shop teacher reports the brakes are OK but the front rotors may have a little warping.
Weekend after that I needed to get on the freeway. Rolled up to speed well and felt shake after I tapped the brake. It did settle down and my first thought was rough conditions from the construction on I-10. Note the shake was not violent but definitely an attention getter.
The next day I took front rotors in and had them turned.
The following weekend I again had to get on the freeway. I entered and the shakes began as I hit about 45 MPH. They were bad enough that I took the exit ramp that was right there.
Put the front up on jack stands and checked for anything loose. Nothing. Checked for any play on the front wheels, side to side, up and down. Again nothing.
Got online. Did searches. Found these basic thoughts.
Rotors (already done)
Loose parts/play (already done)
balance (did today)
Toe-in (did today now back to 1/8" difference. NOTE: When I first did the budget boost last year I measured and it was 1/8". This morning when I put the tape to it it was a full 1/2")
Last night. Thought I would see how things were. I got on the freeway and dear God in Heaven I aimed the Jeep straight for the shoulder. The front end looked to be moving a literal 4 inches side to side and the steering wheel was doing its best to break free of my white knuckled grasp. I did not apply any brakes while slowing until the steering wheel did not fight me as hard. Then I only tapped them to bring everything to normal.
Did the balance today. First time up to 45MPH violent wobble. Just for grins I put her into 4-HI and at 45 it was time to hang on again.
Did the toe-in. Got up to 55MPH and it was a smooth ride. I then took my foot off the gas and rested it on the floorboard. Speed fell to between 45-50 and all Hell broke loose again.
Back to the house. Put the Jeep up on stands to get all 4 wheels off the ground. All weight was resting on the axles by the way. Fired her up and put her in 4_HI to see what may shake. At 50+ there was noticeable movement in the steering wheel and a felt vibration in the body.
Last thing we did was rotate the tires back to their original positions.
Violent wobble is still present.
I need help. I do hope this is enough info to get an idea of where I am at in the process of fixing this.
I'm here in Houston too and don't mind turning a wrench as you can see.
bob
What has me curious is it came out of nowhere.
Set up is simple and all I need for general off road use:
'06 TJ under 14K miles.
2" budget boost.
10.5x31 BFG AT's
History:
All has been on for for a year with no troubles.
Daily commute sees me at 35-40 MPH max. (Only 4 miles to work one-way, no freeways).
Last freeway/highway driving was in February this year (hunting season ended)
Wife and son occasionally drive in town. They report no curb checks or pot hole smashes while they had her on the road.
Current:
About 2 moths ago I began feeling more vibration in the steering wheel on rough roads and railroad crossings.
Before the school year ended I asked my son to have the auto shop rotate the wheels and check the brakes all around.
Shop teacher reports the brakes are OK but the front rotors may have a little warping.
Weekend after that I needed to get on the freeway. Rolled up to speed well and felt shake after I tapped the brake. It did settle down and my first thought was rough conditions from the construction on I-10. Note the shake was not violent but definitely an attention getter.
The next day I took front rotors in and had them turned.
The following weekend I again had to get on the freeway. I entered and the shakes began as I hit about 45 MPH. They were bad enough that I took the exit ramp that was right there.
Put the front up on jack stands and checked for anything loose. Nothing. Checked for any play on the front wheels, side to side, up and down. Again nothing.
Got online. Did searches. Found these basic thoughts.
Rotors (already done)
Loose parts/play (already done)
balance (did today)
Toe-in (did today now back to 1/8" difference. NOTE: When I first did the budget boost last year I measured and it was 1/8". This morning when I put the tape to it it was a full 1/2")
Last night. Thought I would see how things were. I got on the freeway and dear God in Heaven I aimed the Jeep straight for the shoulder. The front end looked to be moving a literal 4 inches side to side and the steering wheel was doing its best to break free of my white knuckled grasp. I did not apply any brakes while slowing until the steering wheel did not fight me as hard. Then I only tapped them to bring everything to normal.
Did the balance today. First time up to 45MPH violent wobble. Just for grins I put her into 4-HI and at 45 it was time to hang on again.
Did the toe-in. Got up to 55MPH and it was a smooth ride. I then took my foot off the gas and rested it on the floorboard. Speed fell to between 45-50 and all Hell broke loose again.
Back to the house. Put the Jeep up on stands to get all 4 wheels off the ground. All weight was resting on the axles by the way. Fired her up and put her in 4_HI to see what may shake. At 50+ there was noticeable movement in the steering wheel and a felt vibration in the body.
Last thing we did was rotate the tires back to their original positions.
Violent wobble is still present.
I need help. I do hope this is enough info to get an idea of where I am at in the process of fixing this.
I'm here in Houston too and don't mind turning a wrench as you can see.
bob