Death Wobble? Non-DW Shimmie and/or Wobbles? HELP PLEASE!!!
11-19-2011 | 11:57 AM
#1
Thread Starter
JK Enthusiast
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 107
Likes: 0
From: Ocala, Florida
Death Wobble? Non-DW Shimmie and/or Wobbles? HELP PLEASE!!!
I have a 09 Jk Unlimited and recently upgraded from BFG 32 x 17 x 10.5 to MT Baja Claw 35 x 17 x 12.5
I aligned the front end, bead balanced the tires and am running 33 lbs. of air pressure. I have 50,600 hiway
miles on it. I replaced the factory shocks with Bilstein 5100's. I'm getting an incredibly smooth ride at low speeds,
when I accelerate to 50+ mph and/or ride in the slow lane on the Interstate, I get a very annoying (scary) wobble or shimmie.
I have researched "death wobble" out here and find (thanks to planman) some very helpful info. If my problem
is "death wobble" and need to replace my "track bar" should I go back with Original Parts or Aftermarket Brands?
PLEASE HELP!!!! Thanks!!!!
I aligned the front end, bead balanced the tires and am running 33 lbs. of air pressure. I have 50,600 hiway
miles on it. I replaced the factory shocks with Bilstein 5100's. I'm getting an incredibly smooth ride at low speeds,
when I accelerate to 50+ mph and/or ride in the slow lane on the Interstate, I get a very annoying (scary) wobble or shimmie.
I have researched "death wobble" out here and find (thanks to planman) some very helpful info. If my problem
is "death wobble" and need to replace my "track bar" should I go back with Original Parts or Aftermarket Brands?
PLEASE HELP!!!! Thanks!!!!
11-19-2011 | 12:58 PM
#2
JK Jedi Master
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 15,665
Likes: 3
From: Hammond Louisiana
What lift and/or components do you have? Have you torqued these components lately? And have you checked out planman's wobble/shimmy threads and checked everything?
Sometimes adding larger / heavier tires can cause another problem to surface that may not be noticable with smaller tires and other times it can be something as simple as a re-balance on tires. Why the beads? Have you tried reg balancing?
Sometimes adding larger / heavier tires can cause another problem to surface that may not be noticable with smaller tires and other times it can be something as simple as a re-balance on tires. Why the beads? Have you tried reg balancing?
Last edited by mkjeep; 11-19-2011 at 01:00 PM.
11-19-2011 | 01:40 PM
#3
Thread Starter
JK Enthusiast
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 107
Likes: 0
From: Ocala, Florida
What lift and/or components do you have? Have you torqued these components lately? And have you checked out planman's wobble/shimmy threads and checked everything?
Sometimes adding larger / heavier tires can cause another problem to surface that may not be noticable with smaller tires and other times it can be something as simple as a re-balance on tires. Why the beads? Have you tried reg balancing?
Sometimes adding larger / heavier tires can cause another problem to surface that may not be noticable with smaller tires and other times it can be something as simple as a re-balance on tires. Why the beads? Have you tried reg balancing?
Tried to torque track bar today, but having problems getting socket on passenger side nut.
I've heard sand (bead) balancing was better than weights on larger tires,do you disagree?
11-19-2011 | 01:43 PM
#4
Thread Starter
JK Enthusiast
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 107
Likes: 0
From: Ocala, Florida
What lift and/or components do you have? Have you torqued these components lately? And have you checked out planman's wobble/shimmy threads and checked everything?
Sometimes adding larger / heavier tires can cause another problem to surface that may not be noticable with smaller tires and other times it can be something as simple as a re-balance on tires. Why the beads? Have you tried reg balancing?
Sometimes adding larger / heavier tires can cause another problem to surface that may not be noticable with smaller tires and other times it can be something as simple as a re-balance on tires. Why the beads? Have you tried reg balancing?
If I find my track bar is the issue, what do you recommend? Stock or Aftermarket?
11-19-2011 | 01:55 PM
#5
JK Jedi Master
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 15,665
Likes: 3
From: Hammond Louisiana
Have you tried using a socket ext?For a 35in tire, dynamic balance at a tire shop with weights should be just fine, however, baja claws have been known to be a harder than average tire to balance.
Actually, if its not loose or worn bushings or the trackbar holes wallowed out, theres no reason to change it if you don't have a lift installed.
11-19-2011 | 02:00 PM
#6
JK Freak
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 518
Likes: 1
From: Katy, TX
I'd be interested in knowing how you get that bolt off. With the space given for it it seems impossible. I tried once but never accomplished removing it - but I was getting it replaced anyhow so I didn't try too long. Think maybe it might have loctite on it ?
Btw, I went aftermarket with the JKS adjustable.
?Btw, I went aftermarket with the JKS adjustable.
Last edited by hneiper; 11-19-2011 at 02:03 PM.
11-19-2011 | 02:24 PM
#7
JK Jedi Master
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 15,665
Likes: 3
From: Hammond Louisiana
I'd be interested in knowing how you get that bolt off. With the space given for it it seems impossible. I tried once but never accomplished removing it - but I was getting it replaced anyhow so I didn't try too long. Think maybe it might have loctite on it ?
Btw, I went aftermarket with the JKS adjustable.
?Btw, I went aftermarket with the JKS adjustable.
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11-20-2011 | 05:43 AM
#9
Thread Starter
JK Enthusiast
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 107
Likes: 0
From: Ocala, Florida
For the frame side bolt, a box end wrench on the nut and a socket with breaker bar on the head.
Never use a torque wrench in the reverse direction. Never use a torque wrench as a ratchet.
For the OP, did you switch to aftermarket wheels? If so, did you remove the lug retainer clips?
Also for the OP, it would not hurt to go through the inspection checklist steps that include cycling the steering to check for worn ends and the steps to check the ball joints.
With 35s, you could lower the psi to about 30.
Never use a torque wrench in the reverse direction. Never use a torque wrench as a ratchet.
For the OP, did you switch to aftermarket wheels? If so, did you remove the lug retainer clips?
Also for the OP, it would not hurt to go through the inspection checklist steps that include cycling the steering to check for worn ends and the steps to check the ball joints.
With 35s, you could lower the psi to about 30.
11-21-2011 | 01:53 PM
#10
Thread Starter
JK Enthusiast
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 107
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From: Ocala, Florida
Problem Solved
I just learned today with "sand" or "bead" balancing there is no way to actually know if your tires are balanced!Using weights when they zero out on the machine, you know they are balanced. I removed the beads today and had my tires balanced
with weights, they "zeroed out" and now my "death wobble/shimmie" is gone!