The Dodge and Jeep Death Wobble Why and how to fix it

My Dodge Ram Durango and Wrangler has all had a death wobble and one time or another on the highway where the steering wheel and everythiing inside and outside start shaking violently. Here is why and how to fix it.

[@crockteerden4023]

21,000 miles? Worn out parts? Take it back it is covered by warranty. Wait it’s Chrysler ... garbage since Fiat took them over.

[@user-uf3dp4qn3w]

Not really, Jeeps since the 1990s have experienced this issue.

[@TeensierPython]

@@user-uf3dp4qn3w It's a little low on miles for worn out parts. Also, all solid axle front ends have potential for death wobble.

[@xxBLKSNXxx]

You are clueless as to what you are talking about. It just isn't a Jeep thing.

[@the51]

Fix it again Tony

[@agoogleuser1753]

Literally just happened to me while I was on the passing lane. 2020 Jeep Wrangler. This isn't even my car, it's a rental from Enterprise. Family member warned about the death wobble. I thought he was referring to how loose the steering wheel feels on these jeeps on normal drives, compared to my actual car that is in the shop, until I actually experienced the death wobble on the highway while going 75mph. Luckily it stopped on its on without me having to come to a complete stop after about 30 seconds. This is definitely not a warm welcome to the Jeep world.

[@n3tfury]

Not just a jeep thing, it's a solid axle thing. Enterprise should take better care of their vehicles.

[@SnoBear626]

@@n3tfury All Wrangler front ends should be inspected and torqued every 10,000 miles. Just get in the habit of doing it every other oil change. It only takes a few minutes.

[@hairychesticles1]

Its not scary after the 10th time tho. (Edit) later found out the steering box was held in by half of 1 bolt and the other had snapped. That was the scary part

[@GodisLovetoo]

hairychesticles1 Thats true! I’ve felt it dozens of times; nothing tops the very first time tho! Once people experienced it with me, they would not ever ride with me again in fear of their life.... the service team could never really fix it. Only a temporary hold where the shake wasn’t as major before it would come right back.

[@mg-ke3ji]

Goddess Love 🤣

[@jdrewfont4717]

So true😂😂😂😂

[@user-uf3dp4qn3w]

@@GodisLovetoo You made me laugh so loud haha!

[@aplbrilliance1]

@@GodisLovetoo Omg! That's hilarious. Luckily I haven't had anyone riding with me when it's happening to me.

[@davidneal113]

I had it happen many many times . My fix was alway a problem with the sway bar . One time a lose bolt . One time a crack . Then one time the bolt hole was Wollard out . Also I always had it aligned after having it repaired.

[@TXEROXT]

Very helpful video! 👍 Thats exactly what my lifted van did and its really intense when it happens going 75mph down the highway! 😲🤯😱

[@joshthomas_1696]

Literally just happened to me! I was so damn scared 😣

[@TXEROXT]

@@joshthomas_1696 Yup! I totally thought I was gonna fly off the road and crash when it happened! It definitely gets that adrenaline pumping right?!! 🤯🤯😆 🤣 😂

[@joshthomas_1696]

@@TXEROXT yes! 😭

[@TXEROXT]

@@joshthomas_1696 Afterwards, I pictured a movies scene where Duane Johnson "The Rock" says; "That'll make your butthole pucker up!" LOL! 😆 🤣 😂 😹

[@joshthomas_1696]

@@TXEROXT 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@someoneyouknow525]

Weird watching safety tips on someone that drives with no hands on the wheel...

[@felixluna914]

I thought the death wobble was a myth, thank you for this video now I know.

[@BenDover-qb4nm]

Try getting death wobble in a 1992 jeep Cherokee you really feel like you’re going to see Jesus

[@cgc3320]

Just happened to me today on my Jeep Grand Cherokee WJ and unfortunately for me I was in the passing Lane at 5 in the afternoon ... is no joke that's for sure.

[@eduardoledezma7509]

I had this issue on my 2019 Jeep Wrangler. Had the dealership fix the recall. Replace the shock and accessories. Two years later same issue. The dealership is responsible for this.

[@TheOriginalLugnuts]

Death wobble is not just a Jeep and Dodge issue any SUV can experience it but more so with modded versions (lift kits, over sized tires etc.) The issue with the ball joints is a symptom and not necessarily the cause. changing those parts might correct the issue but what ever caused those items to fail at 22k miles will cause it again. You also didn't mention the steering stabilizer which is supposed to stop the side to side motion from a bump. A bad stabilizer or the wrong stabilizer will cause death wobble. With a lift kit you also need to upgrade that as well. There appears to be a lot of things done wrong with lifting that Jeep to cause the issues its having, some you've pointed out. Also death wobble will go away if you accelerate so if on a highway or any road you speed up to get rid of it.

[@FlyingWheels]

Excellent. Thanks!

[@staticclay]

Dude, my 2017 Jeep has death wobble I never bothered to fix it I don't mind it anymore got used to it. I just slow down til the wobble goes away no fuss no muss. I was once racing an FJ Cruiser on the 405 freeway in California and got death wobble. I regret buy my Jeep they are junk. Better off sticking with 4Runner's or Tacomas I have owned three Jeeps all had death wobble not even sure why I kept buying another one.

[@v7nf]

@@staticclay FJ s are a jeep design .

[@JacobEcret]

A bad steering stabilizer will NOT cause death wobble, a steering stabilizer is a bandaid and will minimize it, a new steering stabilizer does not “fix” your deathwobble, it simply minimizes it, you have bad suspension components it’s compensating for.

[@aplbrilliance1]

So is it the steering stabilizer or the suspension components? I'm confused, so what will fix the death wobble? Can it be fixed? And what if you smell like a burnt rubber smell after it happens?

[@1NATURELOVERJ]

Just bought a 2004 Wrangler with 106k miles. It happened to me today going 50mph. Luckily I was going faster and no one was on either side of me. I couldn't hold the steering wheel still, and kept wobbling until I was down to about 10 mph.

[@jacobbower302]

Bought my Grandma’s 2003 Jeep Wrangler X with 194,000 miles on it a week ago and found out what the “death wobble” was while going 65 in the middle lane. Didn’t know what it was at first, so naturally I was upset that my Grandma had sold me a lemon. Then I realized that it’s just a “Jeep” thing lol. Still worth the purchase I just have to be careful now.

[@nima6150]

Bro if a car is 20 years old and has 200k miles on it, no matter how bad it is it can’t ever be a lemon. Lemon means a brand new car with an issue that can’t be fixed by the manufacturer after the third or fourth time of trying, or a certain number of days in the shop.

[@jacobbower302]

@@nima6150 sorry professor I didn’t study last night

[@hiddencascadegenetics7661]

“GRANDMA WTF ARE YOU TRYING TO KILL ME !!?!?” Lmao didn’t know it was keep thing either so glad I found before buying one too

[@jacobbower302]

@@hiddencascadegenetics7661 haha that’s exactly what I was thinking😂

[@lisar0tt]

i drive a jeep wrangler tj from 2006 and it’s my first ever car so usually i just accept all its quirks as normal cause i have nothing to compare it to really, but when i had the death wobble on the highway today that was def serious. I was able to keep driving without coming to a full stop and got it under control by slowing down and shifting geers tho

[@watchthis7513]

My 2009 Jeep Sahara just starting doing it. I have spent 700.00 so far and still have it.

[@joshdenham8404]

Track bar, track bar bracket, bushings. I’ve seen it caused by tie rod ends and worn components but typically its track bar related and hard to find

[@longschl0ngJoe]

Got a track bar from Autozone for my 02’ 4.7L WJ, installed it and boom death wobble vanished

[@mustangmancave7656]

"let me tell you about a death wobble..." *lets go of steering wheel while holding the phone with the other. hahaha

[@mauriciom8430]

Thanks so much for the egrets video. Mechanic didn’t know how to fix the death wobble problem hope he doesn’t get mad for sending him this video.

[@n3tfury]

Most of the time it's a trackbar bushing that's bad and/or bolts aren't torqued down to 125ft lbs (on Jeep JK)

[@luisyz6713]

I was thinking it was the tires on my Jeep I was about to spend $900 without doing any research Thanks for the Video...

[@gladimereelderdragon8947]

I have a brand new one though and it does it but I slow down and it stops but yes I’ve had to stop but in Texas it happens a lot

[@JessicaGonzalez-bs2um]

Yep, my 94 jeep grand Cherokee just got this for the first time. I told them I felt it shimmying occasionally at high speeds and the shop said it was a loose bolt. They tightened it and now a month later it got a full on death wobble on a tight turn doing 70. And no i can't go over 50. 🤬😡😖 Super mad right now.

[@bigcurt011]

I rented a 2019 wrangler sport hit a bump hell broke loose took it back

[@JDMHaze]

and i they should've kept it there

[@bigcurt011]

@@JDMHaze right

[@gman8578]

Why didn't you show the death wobble on the Jeep you was working on?

[@orangie8426]

My 1994 jeep grand Cherokee does that exact shake rattle and roll yours does at the very beginning of your video.. that exact violent "rumble" that I feel inside the car... only thing is I don't have to hit any bumps and the steering wheel DOES NOT shake nor does the front wheels... it seems to happen out of random and usually if it is going to happen it will usually happen in between 45 and 55 mph.. although it's happened at slower and faster speeds.. it will start as a low rumble / shake and grow increasingly violent exactly like what your car was doing (from inside) then it just goes away.. it has no rhyme or reason.. I can't make it do it.. nor can I stop it while it's happening... any ideas??

[@kylestevens1811]

Btw, what brand of ball joints did you replace with? Moog seems to be failing me.

[@123Riverzz]

Moog is a good brand you're probably installing them wrong.

[@logisticsthenovice]

How tf the lift kit didnt come with aftermarket sway bar links??

[@rarelyaccurate6252]

That is completely insane.

[@JacobEcret]

The first things I would check would be track bar, and caster. AND NO A STEERING STABILIZER WILL NOT CAUSE OR FIX DEATH WOBBLE. It’s a bandaid.

[@GoonSquad710]

Yup, had my dealership put a “steering stabilizer” on and it helped for about 5k miles Now it happens worse than before 2020 jeep gladiator

[@JacobEcret]

@@GoonSquad710 those gladiators have bad steering box issues. Is it lifted or anything?

[@GoonSquad710]

@@JacobEcret nope stock height and tires. Funny thing is, its at the dealership right now for the death wobble.

[@JacobEcret]

@@GoonSquad710 dang. If it’s under warranty, it’s pretty much their problem. Realistically it can only be a few different things, control arm bushings, trac bar bushings, balljoints, wheel bearings, shocks. Caster can also cause it, like a shopping card wheel that would stop wiggling around. And there is stupid things like tire pressure. I’m not sure how much truth there is to the tire pressure, but it’s what I’ve heard, tire pressure has never caused me death wobble in my jeep, always been a bushing.

[@GoonSquad710]

@@JacobEcret thankfully its under warranty still and they are covering the costs. But i do appreciate the info and will help understand more when they give me the diagnosis.

[@heyitschinoable]

Test drives vehicle. Talks about scary death wobble steering . Takes both hands of steering wheel lmao

[@silent13379]

Unacceptable for a almost brand new car to do this stuff , I bought a 2000 jeep cherokee and this just happened , to now find out it happens on new models as well is a joke. Will never buy another jeep period

[@Spartan117KC]

Yeah this is crazy. I'm just now understanding this after renting a Jeep Wrangler 4 Door Sahara from Budget Rental Car in Tampa Florida with less than 20,000 miles on it and over the course of 6 days, I had death wobble on no less than two times per day. I never reached 80MPH, traffic speeds were up to 75 miles an hour (at night) and between 60-70 MPH during the day. Nothing excessive. The Jeep wouldn't settle down until I slowed to at least 50 MPH...on the highway. I loved the Jeep for the week, but if this is a common issue, it would turn me off of ever buying a Jeep.

[@spartanwk2103]

Two times a day... it definitely wasn't a death wobble you experienced. Maybe uneven rotors at worst, but definitely not a death wobble. You don't have two death wobbles a day, it's one and done...it doesn't stop if you slow down to 50 mph.

[@Spartan117KC]

@@spartanwk2103 - With all due respect, I've driven / ridden things for 30+ years, all makes and models and if you're going to say that riding along on a highway in a situation where I'm applying gas, and no brake and I suddenly start having a steering wheel jerking shimmy is caused by warped disk rotors... All I can say is you're wrong. Disk rotors warp in microns and up to a millimeter. There is no way that could produce a shimmy in a steering wheel while driving 65-70 down the highway until I hit a bump. Sorry, but you're wrong. There are multiple articles describing exactly what I experienced. How does not having it happen one time in a day make any sense???? I've seen a video on KZbin of a person preproducing the issue multiple times by running over a 4x4 piece of lumber. He didn't have a 'per day limit'. SMH.

[@spartanwk2103]

@@Spartan117KC With even greater respect I never said anything about it not making sense happening one time in a day, but what you're saying is that you had a death wobble no less than 2 times a day for over a 6 day period... usually a death wobble would indicate a disconnect somewhere between you steering and suspension components. It's not usually something that can happen more than once in day that's what's not making any sense. Death wobbles don't just settle once you reach 50 mph considering death wobbles can be deadly even at 35 mph you turn into them and eventually try to come to a stop. Not one jeep owner including myself would drive our rigs if it had a death wobble considering at that point the jeep is pretty much undriveable until you get it fixed completely. I understand you have driven/ridden things for 30+ years, but it doesn't necessarily mean you understand the mechanics behind what's happening. Also let me point out that steering wheel shimmy/shake is usually indicative of out of balance tires, so the suspension on your rental was probably our of alignment, and just needed maintenance, but rest assured if it was a death wobble you wouldn't have had the jeep for 6 days let alone be able to drive it for that time period. Being on the receiving end of a death wobble I can tell you it is impossible to drive a jeep with a death wobble especially twice in one day. It's a one and done type of thing.

[@jelee834]

We've experienced death wobble too many times to count in our dodge ram pick up. Put almost $8000 into the front end, and just had it happen again. We've taken it to 3 different places and each one says this will fix it and it doesn't. 😢

[@oldarkie3880]

Probably would not happen at 21K miles if left stock.

[@fargracingco.3135]

who’s leaving a jeep stock?

[@Eah2019]

@@fargracingco.3135 exactly ewww imagine driving stock jeep for life

[@matttheis4798]

False, started happening at 7k that was left stock

[@JJTOPSMILE]

I just turn into the shake it stops when I pull over tho

[@sethpayment]

You neglected to check the track bar... 9/10 times that is the cause of death wobble on any vehicle with a straight axle front end.

[@dirtydigger3218]

Mine is a trackbar bushing,second time. No biggie,easily replaced.

[@n3tfury]

Most of the time, VERY true. For me it actually was bad toe in after replacing my MC springs, drag link, and tie rod.

[@moe1992]

What's the name of the piano beginning of the video

[@1533ramsay]

I have a Jeep Wrangler unlimited Sahara 2010. I've never experienced this but I would not be looking forward to it. Thanks for the info

[@FlyingWheels]

Just keep everything tight.

[@01trsmar]

If you didnt add a lift kit you wont have this issue,or if you added a lift kit and its was done properly ,you wont have this issue either !

[@FlyingWheels]

@@01trsmar I plowed with it and wore out the ball joints prematurely

[@n3tfury]

@@01trsmar wrong.

[@bogdimuntean9215]

have this problem with a jeep wrangler jk only when I take curves at low speed. What could be the problem?

[@J_bar_S_Photography]

OK. question. I have replaced everything they say that causes a death wobble. But i still have the death wobble??? and no one can figure out why its still doing it??

[@jennacruz8563]

Bringing back my 2018 JL. Dealership. They still haven't fixed this issue.

[@JDMHaze]

a chrysler is never fixed lol

[@kylestevens1811]

Jeep and the ball joints! When will they fix this issue?

[@AdamAltogether1]

This has happened to me while drifting my 240SX. Terrifying!

[@hunterschmidt7064]

Me watching this with shit in my pants cause it just happend to me in the passing lane

[@andrepizzo8550]

Trust me on this one, 40 plus years fixing autos. The death wobble is NOT from worn parts!!! It IS due to Too much Negative caster. Have a real alignment done and move caster as much positive as possible with keeping the camber to as close to zero as possible.. PROBLEM SOLVED!!!! Also toe set at 1/16 in on both sides. No more wobble and tires will last much longer.

[@hoopersoverlandadventures]

How do you adjust the castor on a stock Jeep? Hmmm....

[@n3tfury]

I'm sure you have a ton of experience, but this is not true, sorry.

[@scottanderson5290]

Trust me on this one, 45+years fixing autos. The death wobble can very well be from worn out parts. Caster and camber are not factors however incorrect toe in is.

[@andrepizzo8550]

OK LOL Beam me up Scottyyy@@scottanderson5290

[@perchancethishandleiswens]

1:53 thats terrifying to watch.

[@aplbrilliance1]

I feel like I can't trust any mechanic to be honest, to fix my Jeep without trying to overcharge me, just because it's a Jeep. I had a mechanic chance one rotor and front brakes, he had trouble getting getting the wheel locks off, and now I get the death wobble more than before. I need to know where to take my Jeep for repairs by someone that knows what they're doing and who won't send me a fortune bill. I'm near Dallas Texas, any suggestions will be appreciated.

[@BrentJatko]

Liked and subscribed.

[@saqbasha7082]

showing shaking tyres on road video good

[@ninjacommunity1]

Why is this so funny to see🤣

[@supamariosoniku]

Bro, same I’m dying! Especially the beginning of the video and the music. Dangerous sight, but hilarious

[@Ksys47]

the tire rod is not the sway bar. but thank you

[@kitjeep]

New jeep to plow the snow? yes the death wobble had it on my 2014 Rubicon the dealer did fix it

[@FlyingWheels]

Plowing in my Wrangler was a very big contributing factor

[@matthewsweitzer4261]

Death wobble and he's not holding the steering wheel lol

[@genie7172]

Thank you!

[@sambulucci]

so this happens only to vehicles which are modified right?

[@PrincoxLauni]

Nope

[@TeensierPython]

Just bought my truck and has less than 3000 miles. Worse death wobble ive ever had in a vehicle.

[@jessecostello915]

Cheap lift= failing parts

[@dszpeed04]

60 mph, no seat belt- nice

[@chrisj197438]

Wow never experienced that

[@MrDoomzy]

I don’t even have to hit a bump, once I’m going 40 ish in my Subaru legacy it sends me into the death wobble.

[@aidancrawford9364]

Are your wheels balanced?

[@n3tfury]

@@aidancrawford9364 that's what I'd guess. No way you have solid axle type death wobble in a Subie

[@MrDoomzy]

@@aidancrawford9364 yes just got brand new tires and they balanced them.

[@michelemartin5693]

I was able to get it to stop at around 30mph or 35mph.

[@MrGeorgesc007]

Dude doesn't even know what he's talking about especially calling the steering bar a sway bar.😂

[@muskokamike127]

try a death wobble on a bike....buddy of mine was killed by it......

[@FlyingWheels]

I've had head Shake on a bike before and that is absolutely terrifying. Sad. very sorry to hear that.

[@muskokamike127]

@@FlyingWheels yeah, his was caused by a loose/bent rear axle...he'd just "restored" his old bike and was taking it out for a test run......I had it happen to me on my old honda 400/4 on a back country road...scared the piss outta me.

[@shandihines2600]

Damn bro sorry to hear that….

[@cowboydown30]

Will you feel bad for me if I get the death wobble?

[@georgemulligan8958]

22k miles. Junk

[@JDMHaze]

=chrysler. lol

[@AsTheWheelsTurn]

I wouldn't drive any vehicle that was capable of having this issue. in all the millions of miles I have driven I have never had this issue, so this tells me jeeps are pieces of shit , shouldn't even be possible for this to happen.

[@DevTheBigManUno]

Ahh fun times with vibrations

[@legna2973]

And I feel bad for you if it ever happens

[@juanojeda8069]

That happened to me, terrible On the highway so scary I just buy My first jeep wrangler unlimited 2008 sahara the second day I'm driving.

[@bigginboys4737]

Me too, did you fix it?

[@juanojeda8069]

Tie rods and shocks

[@smoketiresnotdrugs7726]

Sell your jeep PROBLEM SOLVED

[@mikegreer9041]

Lol, its a simple alignment issue. People are so dumb. Tires like to go the same direction I can make anything deathwobble, or not deathwobble in 5 minutes. Brand new, it doesn't matter.

[@jishimoari]

I never heard of it in europe...

[@staticclay]

My 2017 Jeep has death wobble I never bothered to fix it I don't mind it anymore got used to it. I just slow down til the wobble goes away no fuss no muss. I was once racing an FJ Cruiser on the 405 freeway in California and got death wobble. I regret buy my Jeep they are junk. Better off sticking with 4Runner's or Tacomas I have owned three Jeeps all had death wobble not even sure why I kept buying another one.

[@Doctorj63]

Why do people who post always have to ask "hello everybody what's up?" Just get to the point.

[@FlyingWheels]

Sorry to waste an extra :02 seconds

[@dp9897]

HELLO Doctory WHATTTTS UPPPPP

[@a.m.c..5952]

@Doctorj63: 🤡 WTF how much time did you spend writing your comment??? When it took more than that just to verify and making sure I was reading right the comment or cuestión from you...

[@Doctorj63]

@@a.m.c..5952 Hello. Smile and have a great day.

[@fireplug2629]

Put on your seat belt!!!

[@dylankrupp7335]

wear your seatbelt

[@beachbro8559]

👍👊🙂

[@kmbriggs2693]

No. Wrong.

[@JDMHaze]

its a jeep thing lol

[@danielhartin7680]

Sounds like recall time, Chrysler.

[@01trsmar]

Research Toyota,Honda,Subaru,VW,Ford,GM recalls they have serious issues and recalls... Recalls cant be dont with aftermarket lift kits on vehicles...You can recall a non factory lifted vehicle..

[@Hunter_Bidens_Crackpipe_]

POS cars

[@wall4xxx]

You’re getting tooo fast an on passing lane law all jeeps should be on slow lane’s including does V8 thing’s follow law lol

[@jonc2914]

Not helpful, your just throwing money at the problem and replacing everything.. not diagnosing anything.

[@Treshar]

Best way to fix death wobble, dont buy a Jeep.

[@nobleten]

How to fix it: Buy a Toyota

[@1frogass1]

Moog sucks !!

[@snoozieeee3325]

So they make jeeps with cheap as parts I see 😂🤦🏻‍♂️