For those dealing with DW on JK's. A major factor in the cause is that Chrysler used 14mm bolts in 9/16th holes. This leads to 1-2mm of play in the suspension components which causes DW and ovals out the component mounts. Buying new correct size bolts to replace the undersized 14mm ones should solve most of your DW issues, as it did mine. After that check all the ball joints on it, because Chrysler used weak ball joints on the vehicle.
I just got this problem yesterday, but I have a 1993 BMW 740i. The mechanic says to replace the tie rod assembly and that will fix my problem. He says it will cost around $800. Does this sound like the right solution and price?
Wanna learn how to get rid of it? Upgrade your steering stabilizer. The stock stabilizers are cheap, made for Chrysler cars, and do not hold well against tires over 28" diameter. There are alot you can buy, or kits to double them (just in case you have 40s). I lifted my 2005 TJ to 4", and drove the stock 28" tires. It was fine, until I upgraded my rims and tires for 33x12.5 and then DEATH wobbles around 33 and 66 mph. It was scary. And then I upgraded my steering. All better. Hope I helped.
I was tired of dealing with the death wobble on my 2004 Wrangler Sport. The first time it happened on a busy highway and I thought o was as good as dead. When it happens, take your foot off the gas, DON'T BRAKE, try to guide it towards the shoulder. Id had this problem fixed a few times, but like I said, i'd finally had enough and traded it in for a new Volvo (hey, I got old and Volvo gave me $9000 towards my new car). I've had two Wranglers: a 1999 and a 2004. My 2004 had the transmission blow
So, today I'm headed to a different dealership in Cockeysville, MD. After 3 visits with my current dealership, replacement of steering dampener, control arm and ball joints, I'm still getting the DW. I have 06 Wrangler Unlimited, 6 spd, with 38.6K miles and no modificications. I'm glad that I have the Max Care with the $100 deductible--I'm still annoyed though.
i have a 1999 jeep wrangler that has done this a lot front and back all it was is my track bars brackets where lose but they would not stop commen lose i got lock tite and put on the after i broke the bolts a few tims and that fixed it for me
Jeeps have been doing this forever. I have a non-modified 1993 Grand Cherokee and death wobble is scariest thing ever. I have replaced almost all front end parts, still not working. I thinnk I will look at steering components next.
Jeep wobble can be terrifying for those experiencing it the first time. My 00 cherokee classic would begin wobbling at 52mph, but once i accelerated past 58mph the wobble would cease. After replacing my U-joints my wobble disappeared. The problem isn't always that easy to fix though, it seems like there's a million causes for death wobble. To anyone who hasn't experienced the wobble, the shaking is just as violent as a tank slapper on a bike, albeit not quite as scary since you're in a vehicle.
yea it sucks ...just spent most of the year trying to find the cause of my dw....mine was stock too....steering stabilizer ..tie rod ends and tie rod bars.....so far so good ....i ve gone thru about 3000 in repairs ..... i hope this helps
If you are really that concerned with it, either use some common sense and slow down over rough areas, or buy a vehicle that is meant to give a plush, soft, enjoyable ride. The Jeep is not intended to take big rough bumps smoothly. It is high centered, heavy, and has big tires. Once those big tires start bouncing you have to slow down to get them to stop. It's not freaking rocket science, it's expected. If you file complaints, all you are doing is increasing the price of future Jeeps.
@terdcutter Are you kidding?Are you seriously suggesting that someone not drive their road legal vehicle on the roads? Do you understand that death wobble is not just a case of a little bumpiness, it's a full out bone rattling, loss of control?
@terdcutter You, my friend, are an idiot. The death rattle is a problem with the vehicle. I've heard from numerous sources that Jeeps and Dodge trucks are prone to the death rattle. I've had the death rattle happen to me over 15 times and I can promise you that the 1st time that it happened to you, you would piss your pants. Not just a little wobble, you can't even see straight when the car starts wobbling.
I'm not a mechanic, but I have read that this can be caused by the differentials, and recall a buddy's xj that did this until the ring and pinion was replaced in the rear. Also mentioned often are wheel bearings.
Oh, by the way ..you can file a complaint with the US Dept of transportation. you can also view ALL of the other complaints that have been filed about this serious issue
I've had the same problem. It got so bad it bent my tie rod and steering chassie..was only 1200 miles past warranty..cost 1600 bucks...no modifications on the 2007 4 door jeep wrangler
omg. I thought that was because I switched out my small rims with Sarah rims/tires. I thought that maybe the sahara rims weren't meant for my 2008 X unlimited. My freaking Jeep does this exact same thing everytime I am going over 50 mph and hit a bump. I too have to pull over and have kids in the car with me. That is freaking incredible that this is a problem that hasn't been recalled. Holy crap.
Ah the joys of Wrangler ownership. Its insane that Chrysler has not addressed this problem in what, the 20 YEARS these things have been on the road!!??
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For those dealing with DW on JK's. A major factor in the cause is that Chrysler used 14mm bolts in 9/16th holes. This leads to 1-2mm of play in the suspension components which causes DW and ovals out the component mounts. Buying new correct size bolts to replace the undersized 14mm ones should solve most of your DW issues, as it did mine. After that check all the ball joints on it, because Chrysler used weak ball joints on the vehicle.
neo1131 2 weeks ago
I just got this problem yesterday, but I have a 1993 BMW 740i. The mechanic says to replace the tie rod assembly and that will fix my problem. He says it will cost around $800. Does this sound like the right solution and price?
cpeterson5795 1 month ago
I have a 2007 and have run into the same thing man. Hit the slightest bump and there it goes.
MorteWulfe 1 month ago
Wanna learn how to get rid of it? Upgrade your steering stabilizer. The stock stabilizers are cheap, made for Chrysler cars, and do not hold well against tires over 28" diameter. There are alot you can buy, or kits to double them (just in case you have 40s). I lifted my 2005 TJ to 4", and drove the stock 28" tires. It was fine, until I upgraded my rims and tires for 33x12.5 and then DEATH wobbles around 33 and 66 mph. It was scary. And then I upgraded my steering. All better. Hope I helped.
NMPros 1 month ago
It's a VERY RARE problem. It's more common with the Jeep brand, because most of the vehicles are true SUV's. It happens with lots of trucks as well.
Makeupbyamberbloom 3 months ago
@Makeupbyamberbloom
really
i have a chevy trailblazer it never wobble before even though it is 9 years old
dogalways 1 week ago
Wow the manufacturer hasn't figured out how to get rid of this yet? They've only had like 20 years to work on it. Way to go Chrysler engineering!
jabones57 3 months ago
Hold the line.
2012goingNutz 3 months ago
Been happening to me in my 2008 lifted jeep unlimited
mrscmcintyre 4 months ago
that shit happens to my 03 .. fucking scary as hell
pioneersnd 6 months ago
My XJ use to do this all the time
tvp125 6 months ago
TOTO CAUSED YOUR WOBBLE YOU DUMMY!
cpcolumbus 7 months ago
@cpcolumbus Same song played after i got in an accident with my DeLorean. Song is EVIL
tyb323 7 months ago
great music for it.....hold the line;)
riverlifeva 9 months ago
I was tired of dealing with the death wobble on my 2004 Wrangler Sport. The first time it happened on a busy highway and I thought o was as good as dead. When it happens, take your foot off the gas, DON'T BRAKE, try to guide it towards the shoulder. Id had this problem fixed a few times, but like I said, i'd finally had enough and traded it in for a new Volvo (hey, I got old and Volvo gave me $9000 towards my new car). I've had two Wranglers: a 1999 and a 2004. My 2004 had the transmission blow
ajwrangler1977 9 months ago
So, today I'm headed to a different dealership in Cockeysville, MD. After 3 visits with my current dealership, replacement of steering dampener, control arm and ball joints, I'm still getting the DW. I have 06 Wrangler Unlimited, 6 spd, with 38.6K miles and no modificications. I'm glad that I have the Max Care with the $100 deductible--I'm still annoyed though.
bcochnov10 9 months ago
i have a 1999 jeep wrangler that has done this a lot front and back all it was is my track bars brackets where lose but they would not stop commen lose i got lock tite and put on the after i broke the bolts a few tims and that fixed it for me
06vance 10 months ago
Jeeps have been doing this forever. I have a non-modified 1993 Grand Cherokee and death wobble is scariest thing ever. I have replaced almost all front end parts, still not working. I thinnk I will look at steering components next.
slugger416 10 months ago
"son of a fucking bitch.. their playing toto again"
mentallyill345 10 months ago
Jeep wobble can be terrifying for those experiencing it the first time. My 00 cherokee classic would begin wobbling at 52mph, but once i accelerated past 58mph the wobble would cease. After replacing my U-joints my wobble disappeared. The problem isn't always that easy to fix though, it seems like there's a million causes for death wobble. To anyone who hasn't experienced the wobble, the shaking is just as violent as a tank slapper on a bike, albeit not quite as scary since you're in a vehicle.
CGreenC 10 months ago
HOLD THE LINE!
maidenfan19994 11 months ago
I highly suggest you file a report with the NHTSA on this dangerous problem. You can file one online,
BORN2LOSE13 1 year ago
yea it sucks ...just spent most of the year trying to find the cause of my dw....mine was stock too....steering stabilizer ..tie rod ends and tie rod bars.....so far so good ....i ve gone thru about 3000 in repairs ..... i hope this helps
pineapple811 1 year ago
If you are really that concerned with it, either use some common sense and slow down over rough areas, or buy a vehicle that is meant to give a plush, soft, enjoyable ride. The Jeep is not intended to take big rough bumps smoothly. It is high centered, heavy, and has big tires. Once those big tires start bouncing you have to slow down to get them to stop. It's not freaking rocket science, it's expected. If you file complaints, all you are doing is increasing the price of future Jeeps.
terdcutter 1 year ago
@terdcutter Are you kidding?Are you seriously suggesting that someone not drive their road legal vehicle on the roads? Do you understand that death wobble is not just a case of a little bumpiness, it's a full out bone rattling, loss of control?
bonnieb2011 1 year ago
@terdcutter You, my friend, are an idiot. The death rattle is a problem with the vehicle. I've heard from numerous sources that Jeeps and Dodge trucks are prone to the death rattle. I've had the death rattle happen to me over 15 times and I can promise you that the 1st time that it happened to you, you would piss your pants. Not just a little wobble, you can't even see straight when the car starts wobbling.
shelander187 9 months ago
I had a Death Wobble on my 1989 XJ. The cause was my broken loose Steering Damper. If you didn't fix it yet, check it out.
Ssooz 1 year ago
I'm not a mechanic, but I have read that this can be caused by the differentials, and recall a buddy's xj that did this until the ring and pinion was replaced in the rear. Also mentioned often are wheel bearings.
5w3d15h 1 year ago
Oh, by the way ..you can file a complaint with the US Dept of transportation. you can also view ALL of the other complaints that have been filed about this serious issue
11OBX11 1 year ago
I've had the same problem. It got so bad it bent my tie rod and steering chassie..was only 1200 miles past warranty..cost 1600 bucks...no modifications on the 2007 4 door jeep wrangler
11OBX11 1 year ago
omg. I thought that was because I switched out my small rims with Sarah rims/tires. I thought that maybe the sahara rims weren't meant for my 2008 X unlimited. My freaking Jeep does this exact same thing everytime I am going over 50 mph and hit a bump. I too have to pull over and have kids in the car with me. That is freaking incredible that this is a problem that hasn't been recalled. Holy crap.
bwief 1 year ago
Ah the joys of Wrangler ownership. Its insane that Chrysler has not addressed this problem in what, the 20 YEARS these things have been on the road!!??
BORN2LOSE13 1 year ago
enjoy ! 12 with my ex wrangler 2007
stamourek 1 year ago