rejeep Posted March 27, 2006 Posted March 27, 2006 I finally got my manche running today with a new fuel pump....Its nice to have another Jeep in the family. One problem I noticed while driving around....Twice i got a DW type action. Its stock so I'm assuming the caster is ok and there is no suspention mods. I was thinking a new ss first.. any suggestions on pinpointing this?
Stumpy Posted March 28, 2006 Posted March 28, 2006 i would check the steering components first...tie rods, pitman, ball joints,..etc A ss is just a cover up type fix, if other parts are bad. just my $.02
ROADLESS Posted March 28, 2006 Posted March 28, 2006 I would also check the tires, they may be out of balance. A loose track bar can cause shimmy as well.
rejeep Posted March 28, 2006 Author Posted March 28, 2006 I was also thinking track bar. My ZJ had big problems with the ball joint end on the track bar going bad, but it was lifted.. but same symptoms.
ROADLESS Posted March 28, 2006 Posted March 28, 2006 I don't know how long your MJ has been out of action, but if its been a while, your tires may have developed some flat spots, especially if their bias ply, which can also cause shimmy (temporary)!
rejeep Posted March 28, 2006 Author Posted March 28, 2006 The tires are new and radials. I was thinking it may be a balance issue, but the truck drove fine untill i hit a bump in the road then it was shaking all over the place. There was also no corralation between speed and shake.
Eagle Posted March 29, 2006 Posted March 29, 2006 First check wheel balance. My friend, Erich, just bought an '88 MJ. He found death wobble driving it home the night we picked it up. The track bar is badly worn so he's planning to replace that, but he works in a VW dealership as a shop foreman so he took the truck in Monday and checked the front tires. He said they were horribly out of balance. A few ounces later, his death wobble is gone. The truck still wanders, so he does need to replace the track bar, but the track bar was not "causing" the death wobble as some people insist it can do. Hint: it can't.
ROADLESS Posted March 29, 2006 Posted March 29, 2006 'The truck still wanders, so he does need to replace the track bar, but the track bar was not "causing" the death wobble as some people insist it can do. Hint: it can't.' _________________ Eagle It can't? Are you talking about this specific vehicle or are you saying it can't happen at all? :shock:
rejeep Posted March 29, 2006 Author Posted March 29, 2006 I'm thinking I'm going to drop it off for a balance and alingment today and see where that takes me...... Eagle if you see a white MJ putting around town give me a honk!
Eagle Posted March 29, 2006 Posted March 29, 2006 Eagle if you see a white MJ putting around town give me a honk! Welcome to the fold, brother. We'll have to arrange an MJ meet & greet at the transfer station some Saturday morning :)
rejeep Posted March 29, 2006 Author Posted March 29, 2006 I might be there today dropping off a fridge&stove
Eagle Posted March 30, 2006 Posted March 30, 2006 It can't? Are you talking about this specific vehicle or are you saying it can't happen at all? :shock: It can't happen at all. Something has to trigger death wobble, and a loose track bar does not do that. I drove my '88 XJ through an entire winter with a very sloppy track bar because it was too cold and snowy to change it, and never experienced even a hint of death wobble. If a worn track bar "causes" death wobble, I should have had it.
ROADLESS Posted March 30, 2006 Posted March 30, 2006 Let me clear things up so there is no confusion: A bad track bar can indeed lead to shimmy and/or death wobble(DW). In fact, other than unbalanced tires, or excessive play in the steering system, it is the leading cause. Although it is the leading cause of DW, it can be harder to diagnose as you need to look for 'play' thoughout the entire steering system. But it is very important that you do, as the end result, if not properly diagnosed can be dangerous. If you find out that you have a bad track bar or excessive play in any of your steering components, have them repaired immediately. I have heard of actuall fatalities occur (and now understand why) due to a steering component breaking while a vehicle is in motion! I have also had to change out the track bar in all 5 of our Jeeps, as it was the first component to fail within the steering system!
Bounty Hunter Posted March 30, 2006 Posted March 30, 2006 Roadless, I disagree. I really don't think a bad trackbar can 'cause' death wobble, but more 'allows' a vibe to progress into a death wobble. A vibe has to begin, such as out of balance tires or hitting a bump in the road. This would be the 'cause'. This vibe or bump progressing into death wobble would be 'allowed' by a bad track bar, something a good track bar would prevent. The track bar is not the cause, as it can't induce the wobble.
ROADLESS Posted March 30, 2006 Posted March 30, 2006 Roadless, I disagree. I really don't think a bad trackbar can 'cause' death wobble, but more 'allows' a vibe to progress into a death wobble. A vibe has to begin, such as out of balance tires or hitting a bump in the road. This would be the 'cause'. This vibe or bump progressing into death wobble would be 'allowed' by a bad track bar, something a good track bar would prevent. The track bar is not the cause, as it can't induce the wobble. I guess i was looking at it outside the context of 'cause & effect'. Lets do this, go disconnect the track bar from your ride or at least loosen it, then take said vehicle out on the freeway and go 70 MPH. Are you willing to even take that kind of a chance!
rejeep Posted March 30, 2006 Author Posted March 30, 2006 wouldnt have this problem if I bought a honcho :( BTW here is the patient...
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