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Bumpy ride!!!


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It's been doing this wobble-jump-shimmy thing for a little while now. I had put it on my Get-Round-To-It list. However, I recently hit a small bump around 45 and after hitting the bump it kept on flopping around for several seconds afterwards. I thought the front end was going to eject itself!

 

Tires are new, track bar is new, shocks were changed maybe 8 years ago.

 

Before I got new tires I would experience a serious shimmy above 55 mph. That quit after tires were replaced. I was thinking the old tires were just shot and that was some of the issue. Clearly not.

 

Any suggestions as to what I should look at first?

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It could be just about anything in the front suspension. Your best bet will be to have someone in the truck wiggling the steering wheel back and forth while you are under the truck looking for play in parts. Everything in the steering should be moving together and have no play. Also inspect the control arm bushings for cracks.

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Okay folks. I'm going to be a lazy slob and ask you fine folks to look at these images and point out anything that looks suspect.

 

I would say a bushing kit may be in order.

 

ComFront_170243.jpg

ComFront_170249.jpg

ComFront_170301.jpg

ComFront_170304.jpg

ComFront_170314.jpg

ComFront_170352.jpg

ComFront_170421.jpg

ComFront_170428.jpg

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Lots of this stuff needs a visual inspection while the steering wheel is being rocked back and forth or grab each suspension component and try to move it. There should be no play. These are just guesses, but it looks like you need tie rod ends, the body side of the track bar joint, and at least the steering box side of the drag link. 

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43 minutes ago, 89 MJ said:

Lots of this stuff needs a visual inspection while the steering wheel is being rocked back and forth or grab each suspension component and try to move it. There should be no play. These are just guesses, but it looks like you need tie rod ends, the body side of the track bar joint, and at least the steering box side of the drag link. 

I know. I'm in a cycle of perpetual work at the moment. Keeping my fingers crossed that my MJ will keep running until I can dedicate some time to it.

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1 hour ago, NC Tom said:

I know. I'm in a cycle of perpetual work at the moment. Keeping my fingers crossed that my MJ will keep running until I can dedicate some time to it.

If you've got the time, you might be able to grease all of the joints. It might buy you a couple of weeks on the bad joints.

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On 3/19/2025 at 6:47 PM, ratrapp said:

i can tell by the rust on the track bar joint thats bad.

I was thinking that I had the track bar replaced, but now I'm thinking all they did was tighten it up.

 

From your signature, it looks like you done a good amount of modification to your 88. Is there an "order of work" when it comes to front end redo/replace? In other words, a step 1, step 2 and so on?

 

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On 3/19/2025 at 7:44 PM, 89 MJ said:

If you've got the time, you might be able to grease all of the joints. It might buy you a couple of weeks on the bad joints.

 

Okay. Any grease gun recommendations? Any of the Harbor Freight ones any good? Or any other budget brand that's worth it?

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55 minutes ago, NC Tom said:

 

Okay. Any grease gun recommendations? Any of the Harbor Freight ones any good? Or any other budget brand that's worth it?

That I do not know, but I would guess a harbor freight one is good enough. 
 

53 minutes ago, NC Tom said:

Oh yeah. @89 MJ and @ratrapp, is it generally safe to say the components don't need to be replaced, just serviced? Removed, cleaned, new bushings, tightened, etc?

It depends on how long they’ve been without grease. I’d say that you’re probably in need of all new joints. The sway bar bushings and track bar joint definitely need replacing though. 

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Based on the amount of fluid on your pitman arm you might want to make sure your steering box isn't bad. Check the fluid first see how much you lose over time.

The symptom description sounds like the death wobbles, which narrows it down to all your front steering/track bar, stabilizer shock, mounts.
how hard can it be? :))

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I can see from the photos that the sway bar bushings where the bar attaches to the chassis need replacing.

 

the chassis end of the track bar is junk as well.

 

All the other steering linkage stuff cannot be ascertained without doing the “rock the steering wheel back and forth” test while holding/feeling each joint.

 

Contol arm bushings need a close inspection with a flashlight to look for cracks or permanent deformation.  Keep in mind that, unless those arms were replaced or rebushed some time in the past, you are rolling around on 30+ year old rubber suspension joints, and that almost guarantees that the bushings are just flat worn out.

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On 3/24/2025 at 2:03 PM, Big_Mark said:

Based on the amount of fluid on your pitman arm you might want to make sure your steering box isn't bad. Check the fluid first see how much you lose over time.

The symptom description sounds like the death wobbles, which narrows it down to all your front steering/track bar, stabilizer shock, mounts.
how hard can it be? :))

Thanks ,buddy. :rolleyes: Yeah, my steering box is leaks. I have a feeling it's going to be a major overhaul of the front end. Lucky me.

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On 3/24/2025 at 7:44 PM, AZJeff said:

I can see from the photos that the sway bar bushings where the bar attaches to the chassis need replacing.

 

the chassis end of the track bar is junk as well.

 

All the other steering linkage stuff cannot be ascertained without doing the “rock the steering wheel back and forth” test while holding/feeling each joint.

 

Contol arm bushings need a close inspection with a flashlight to look for cracks or permanent deformation.  Keep in mind that, unless those arms were replaced or rebushed some time in the past, you are rolling around on 30+ year old rubber suspension joints, and that almost guarantees that the bushings are just flat worn out.

Appreciate to detailed reply. I've never done the “rock the steering wheel back and forth” test. Looks like I'll be getting my hands really dirty.

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On 3/24/2025 at 10:40 AM, 89 MJ said:

That I do not know, but I would guess a harbor freight one is good enough. 
 

It depends on how long they’ve been without grease. I’d say that you’re probably in need of all new joints. The sway bar bushings and track bar joint definitely need replacing though. 

I've had it 7 years and have not greased it. Not bragging. Just completely forgot vehicles this age still need that service.

I have a borrowed a grease gun from a friend. Any tips on procedure are appreciated. Also, how many tubes will I need?

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30 minutes ago, NC Tom said:

I've had it 7 years and have not greased it. Not bragging. Just completely forgot vehicles this age still need that service.

I have a borrowed a grease gun from a friend. Any tips on procedure are appreciated. Also, how many tubes will I need?

1 tube will probably get it done. Maybe get 2 just in case they’re all really dry. You know you’ve added enough when it starts coming out past the boots. Make sure you grease your driveshaft u joints too. 

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9 minutes ago, 89 MJ said:

1 tube will probably get it done. Maybe get 2 just in case they’re all really dry. You know you’ve added enough when it starts coming out past the boots. Make sure you grease your driveshaft u joints too. 

:jammin: ^^ This

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