STOP and PREVENT Death Wobble

[@christiancappiello6039]

Great Vid thank you!. I'm a 5 month newb to the Jeep Family and enjoy TrailBuilt Off Road. I just dropped my Jeep off at my local Jeep only Team today (NOT a dealership 3/25/24) to go through all the Suspension components all the way around. This (vid) solidifies my goal to make it as safe as possible to drive. I did a 6 hour trip on I95 here in South Florida. By the time I arrived, I was never so happy to pull in my driveway ! Between the wind and Semi trucks pushing through, the steering fought Me the entire way. Thanks again. Black 2011 JKU 4dr full Soft top, 4 " lift, Bilstein shocks, & Dual Stabilizers, 5 (w/spare-) 35" Renegades on BRUTE REAPER 20'S , Poison Spyder rear spare carrier cover with EAG Swing away oversize tire carrier rear, EAG front bumper with halo fogs/ RC 9.5k synthetic rope winch, Halo' White/blue headlights , Kenwood Touch Screen, front/rear wireless Cams

[@durkus]

Check shocks first. One bad shock up front allows it to happen because there is no dampening on the spring.

[@danalbert5877]

well, super good video with extremely valid points with great delivery and outstanding examples with awesome visuals. I disagree with your stabilizer disqualification tho. Fathers day 2022, I did the Rubicon trail, drove home to Idaho, no problems. Upon getting home, and performing a more thorough vehicle inspection, I noticed my Stock OEM Steering stabilizer had a severe dent in it, so I ordered a Skyjacker OEM replacement, and installed it when it arrived. It immediately induced a severe Death Wobble at 55 mph. It was the only thing that I changed, so it was obvious what I should troubleshoot first. I have a 2020 JT w/4.5" of lift, 37" tires @ 30,000 miles. I ordered a Fox 2.0 Stabilizer, and replaced the $60 skyjacker today, and there is no remnant of the Death wobble present. That said, I'm lucky it was resolved so easily, as you are 100% correct that it is usually several loose or worn out items that can make you chase your tail for hours, troubleshooting and test driving each repair. I love your channel! keep sharing your experiences & expertise. Hope to see you on the trail sometime soon.

[@christopherbond7326]

Good idea to check the ball joints as well. Lift one tire off the ground enough to fit a crowbar under the wheel and lift up and down to check for play in the ball joints. Great video and tips in mentioning the bushings and testing g the steering with weight on and off the axle.

[@duniabenard7969]

It's OK boss. Thanks for the guidance 🙏

[@xxBLKSNXxx]

Yep. My BJ passed the basic tests but ultimately is what was wrong with it.

[@ericlichti1627]

I run 38x12.5 swampers on 85 Toyota...What for death wobble is put 42-44 psi in front tires.... that reduces the tread/pavement contact patch.... and... I set my shocks to the firmest setting.....works for me!

[@Thundercat68]

dealing with it right now, dealer is throwing parts at it like a dart board

[@tomking5822]

Replace caster bushings to positive 3 degrees first

[@vincentcarriere183]

I always make sure to check caster as it moves alot when you lift a truck, as you said in the beginning of the video to get the truck aligned, but sadly not all places go trough a check caster so make sure to find a offroad specific garage😉

[@duniabenard7969]

I have the same experience but with the help of your video I will be in position to fix it...I appreciate the video

[@TrailBuilt]

Happy we could help! Appreciate the support!!

[@shaneminchin582]

The best way to check the track bar and all other steering is with the vehicle on the ground and running have a helper turn the steering wheel side to side while inspecting components. With the vehicle suspension at full droop components are not in their normal ride height position and this can cause them to actually tighten up in this position making inspection inaccurate.

[@rvmagnum5415]

For the last 45 years , Every time I got death wobble I balanced my tires and it went away.

[@sartajbhullar3782]

you mean tire pressure?

[@rvmagnum5415]

No tire balancing . @@sartajbhullar3782

[@mrbossman1764]

Wheel weights for balancing ​@@sartajbhullar3782

[@lusa3002]

​@@sartajbhullar3782 No

[@the_cajun_redneck4110]

@@sartajbhullar3782no he means balancing. Your wheels being off balance can cause many issues including death wobble.

[@mattbob666420]

I'm fighting a case of wobble in my 03 WJ. Track bar hasn't helped yet. The alignment is off, so that is my next stop.

[@samhobbs2746]

Thanks for the advice, 99 ram jumps left and right ... going to check the axel arms to frame tomorrow for bad bushings. Its kinda like the accountant in the tanker in drive angry...

[@2kviper877]

Just found your channel. Great explanation of How to check those items and not just saying "it could be any of these things". Subscribed. And commenting to help you beat the youtube algorithm.

[@TrailBuilt]

Appreciate the support!!!!🤘

[@Ovp609]

I even have a little bit of sway and wobble on my used 2015 Jeep Patriot. Had my mechanic put it up and check EVERYTHING underneath and all seems fine and in real good shape... He said maybe a 'little bigger tire might help...'

[@chriscasterbassmaster]

Thanks alot for taking The time to share this info brotha.

[@TrailBuilt]

Any time! We appreciate the support!

[@jaidengonzalez1281]

i’ve got a brand new 4xe with 3k miles on it. I’m 99 percent sure none of these need replacement. Put a 2.5 inch lift on it yesterday and has wobbled like crazy.

[@technical19d34]

Caster angle

[@brianzmanta]

The tie rods and steering links that are ball and socket, they will have rotation and that’s fine, the proper way to check is in and out, to see if there’s wear.

[@donaldnorman6350]

Also check Ball Joints, Shocks, Wheel Bearings, and Axle Nuts

[@Tfam305]

Has anyone had a bad bushing up front that caused a pull one way??

[@DuelingTreeMike]

Forgot to mention ball joints. You can easily check them when the Jeep is on the lift by checking for vertical play. Also caster angle can cause DW. It is also noteworthy to mention steering stabilizer MASK death wobble. Hope this helps!

[@jamie-iy5tl]

Im not a mechanic by a long shot and don’t pretend to be one and don’t have stacks of cash sitting around I bought a 2004 Jeep grand Cherokee Laredo a really nice looking rig gong into this deal I was told it had a wobble from the lady I bought it from so no surprises I did the my buddys said they could fix it I should have known better next try and remember it had all new parts from my friends efforts I took it to my local car dealerships auto repair shop with Jeep certified mechanics and point blank asked if they could fix the death wobble they said no problem after it sat there for almost two months it was ready they charged me 2000$ 1500 for the suspension 500 for a sensor that was making the check engine light come on not sure what that had to do with the wobble thing but was happy to pay and take off in my beautiful Jeep only one problem first good bump Death Fing wobble add insult to injury looked at my odometer same mileage as when I dropped it off they never even test drove it and this is from the most reputable dealer and mechanics in the area any body want to buy a 2004 Jeep

[@uhohotdog3483]

Thanks Man 👍

[@Justin-fq7vj]

First think I checked was the tires from one side to the other to be the same amount to front and back of tread of tires. Pulling tape to center tread to center tread front then back. They should measure the same.

[@TrailBuilt]

Smart man!

[@jefferyjacobs4709]

I have replaced everything i could under my jeep . Drove good for couple weeks started wobble again. If I adjust my toe end to spec it wobbles. If I adjust to out it don't wobble but you can barely keep it on the road and it wears driver side tire

[@melvis2017]

Good explanations and great video without that noise

[@TrailBuilt]

Glad you liked it!

[@jasonwolf8183]

Great video! Very thorough and helpful

[@tmc9525]

My problem is I tow my Jeep behind my motor home, I would be totally unaware the DW developed and I could arrive at my destination with the Jeep wobbled itself to pieces.

[@corey7348]

i had it and was as simple as getting rid of the toe in to fix it

[@SpeedDemonExpress]

Do wranglers have adjustable caster? I'm thinking more caster would create more stability and may never start a death wobble to begin with.

[@paint1016]

Ours doesn't do the death wobble, but it does wobble going around curves

[@toploadtele]

5 Stars! 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

[@ancestrallink1707]

loose bolt on bottom of sway bar linkage, mixed with internal tire delamination nearly rolled me on the highway.

[@whowho8470]

Death wobble can be difficult to diagnose and is definitely not one size fits all. Yah you gotta make sure ur front end is tight and yeah obviously need a good alignment but it could be caused by other issues. I worked on an 97 TJ once where the only thing that would fix the DW was new front coil springs. Surprised me but it fixed it. My dad drove an 02 TJ for a few years as a daily driver and it went into DW once. That's it, one time. Sometimes the right circumstances can cause DW and it just is what it is. Nothing wrong with his Jeep. So there's really no easy catch all solution for DW IMHO.

[@assyrianbetnahrian9574]

Tires...I would look into other things before I goo to the tires

[@5Star-e7y]

Awesome video

[@TrailBuilt]

Thanks!

[@gooseberry769]

I’ve had DW after the rubicon trail as 2 ball joints in the p side C had some play in them. I removed the steering stabilizer while testing things out and yet the dw remained there. I checked everything and lost my mind over it just to find out later seeking help from outside that lifted JLs are unable to drive without dw and must have a steering stabilizer. Once I installed it back on, the dw never came back.

[@tomking5822]

Never had death wobble until manufacturer install no adjustable caster bushing in

[@geragarcia6786]

I have a 2013 jeep wrangler 2 door on 37s i started getting crazy death wobble at 35mph i replaced every part from the front took it to get tire balance and still is super bad i cant drive it over 30mph its been to 4 shops and they keep telling me to it needs this and that and now everything has been replaced and still the same

[@nicoleosgood8097]

Ummm, I have a rod that is not where it should be like that is totally missing from the front driver side but it doesn't have the death wobble unfortunately it will feel like the tire will about snap when you turn the wheel and front wheels turn all the way to one side. I took pictures of them to show the difference between the problem (driver) side and the passenger side of the vehicle.

[@stephenbarr8822]

Where do we go for a C class motorhome which is a 2020 Jayco Greyhawk wich has a 2019 Ford E350 chassis. This Wobble has happened to us a few times. Can you recommend some known company. Rig is not safe to drive. This last time which was yesterday was like front wheels were SQUARE, is there a solution

[@PaulBeckwith-sm1nx]

You didn't check the weel bearings I've had it from a bad bearing

[@dirtlifestyleoz8150]

I've rebuilt the whole front end of my Land Rover to fix this with no success, I'm at the end of my rope, ready to sell it

[@TrailBuilt]

At least you have given it your best effort so far man!

[@dirtlifestyleoz8150]

@@TrailBuilt and it turns out the bolt hole for the panhard rod has flogged out by about 2mm, causing enough play to create the problem, fixed it with a $10 kit that had to be welded on, easy fix in the end.

[@sammyG1745]

😵‍💫I wonder if the JT Mojave suffers from the wobble issue? I just got a 2023. So if anyone knows please lmk. Thanks

[@williammcclure2353]

Yes they do get DW

[@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??

[@stuckinbabylon186]

I had a similar problem on a 03 tj with a pro comp 3 inch I think lift. Nobody could figure it out and it seemed nothing helped much. The solution ended up being getting adjustable front control arms and that made it possible to adjust the caster angle in the front end and the shake was gone. Also an adjustable heavy duty track bar is very helpful in solving the problem. If you have bigger tires and or spacers on the wheels I’d definitely have the toe in /out checked. You can find a video on KZbin and check it yourself.

[@harrycorrea2547]

My 2006 Subaru Legacy Outback does something like this out of the nowhere its pretty aggressive and then out of the nowhere again goes away. I have absolutely no clue what it could be, i got the car aligned and all suspension is factory

[@donschaus1951]

So… I just need a lift

[@robmerrill9894]

castor castor castor

[@JeepTJ1999]

Ball Joints

[@tomking5822]

99% 0f death wobble comes from worn track bar bushings and incorrect caster from the manufacturer

[@sarahstephens5966]

The only cure is keaf springs.

[@Petethebuilder]

So I just watched this whole video and not one thing was changed to stop death wobble 🤡

[@2pid]

I THOUGHT YOU JUST SLOWED THE FU DOWN???