2006 Death Wobble.

[Imposter71]

So I just got my first LJ a week or so ago. I knew going in that it needed work so no real surprise. Sometimes ( but not always) when I get up to about 50mph if the road is uneven or I hit a bump it starts shaking like crazy. Stops when I get below 45ish. I am pretty sure that I need new front rotors and pads. Previous owner had rear done last year but not front. It has sat for awhile so I know that there is surface rust on them as well.

I was going to start by checking/doing the brakes since I feel that is needed no matter what. The tires and rims are a bit worn, plus I would prefer a little larger tire anyway ( has 31's now, would like 33's). I am hunting for a set of rims and tires. My thinking is - make sure brakes are good and that the rims and tires I will be running are in good shape and balanced, then see how it does and go from there. It has a lift already, not sure exactly what but he had a local shop do it. I plan to go by there and see if they still have a record of it so I know exactly what I have.

Anything else I should be checking while I am at it? I am no mechanic but I am capable of doing some things myself and I am (hopefully) learning more every day. Want to do things a step at a time so that I know when something changes for better or worse what the cause was.

Any comments/suggestions are appreciated.

Tom

[Lucky j]

If you have the brakes in your hand, you are in good position to check for hub, ball joints every suspension linkage and bolt.

In my case, the problem was from a ball joint.

[Imposter71]

Thanks. Friend of mine just built a new garage and is putting in a lift. He offered to help figure it out once we get the lift in. If Nothing jumps out at me by then I will have some knowledgeable help so I am optomistic it will get resolved fairly soon. It seems to drive and steer pretty well otherwise so I am hoping it won't be too hard to find.

[steved033]

Mine was a tie rod end, (or so I thought). I upgraded to the JCR 1-ton UTK kit, and dang it's nice...for a day. suddenly it's doing it again. As it turns out, my left front caliper was seized and not releasing correctly. I got home the day it deathwobbled again, and smelled brakes. The drivers front lugs were hot to the touch. new calipers and a bleed on the front, and everything seems fine. It hasn't wobbled, my mileage went up by 3.6mpg, and overall seems like a much less neglected jeep.

sjd

[Imposter71]

That's interesting. I could smell brakes whenI first got it. I need to check all that anyway. Can fell the pedal pulse a little when I brake so think my rotors could stand replacing, I was going to do calipers and all too. I'll post as I get things done and what the results are.

[Lucky j]

Man, Mine is not on D/W roght now but I wish my front caliper would be stuck, since changing them could let me find 3.? Miles to the gallon more. ;)

Hope you find the cause!

[1 Long TJ]

Any luck on the vibration issues? Does it go away above 50? If so, it's probably a tire balance problem. If not, start with the front trackbar bushings. Do you have an aftermarket (adj.) trackbar?

[Imposter71]

No Luck yet, but that's because I haven't had time to mess with it. I am about 2 miles from the beach and 5 miles from work so I don't get much over 45 anyway. My wife is after me to get it done because she says she can't go fast enough. She really likes driving it so that is great incentive for me to work on it!

My plan is brakes first. steved033 and the brake thing has me curious, plus the fronts need it and the e-brake doesn't work. I am constantly hunting different rims and tires too, but no deals have come my way there yet. Once I do the brakes and get some ( balanced) rims and tires I like I will see how it does and go from there.

[Imposter71]

Quick update. Put new front calipers, rotors and pads on this afternoon. It really needed them, stops much better now. No wobble on the way home but it doesn't always do it. It will be a few weeks before I can work on it again anyway. Going to drive it awhile as is and see if it made a difference. If not I'll move on to the next thing that needs attention and go from there. One step at a time. I'll keep posting up as I go along until I get it figured out. Did get the e- brake fixed as well. That wasn't too bad. Shoes were completely worn out, just had to replace them.

[Imposter71]

Got rims and tires done. Found a set of 04 rubicon rims and put BFG 285/75.16s on it. No wobble since, although it feels like it still wants to occasionally. Shop told me that I did have a little play in the front end. Going to locate that and replace compnents next, then align it. Stay tuned.....

[Bwarren86]

My drag link came loose

[06RubiLJ]

My front wheels were unbalanced and my alignment was off. Caused a hell of a shake 45-55