hey guys i put a 3 inch lift and 35s on my manual jku but have had a constant battle with either death wobble or more recently a shimme that shakes both the front axle, steering wheel, and shift knob. any ideas i was going to put on a

track bar
grade 8 bolt upgrade
get the front end aligned

when i put a new steering stabilizer on it, it will mask the effects of the issues but its gotta be hell on them because it will go bad within amatter of 3-4 months

 

Have you read my DW Diagnosis thread and watched the videos in post #3?

Do you have front lower adjustable control arms to correct your caster?

 

Sorry if it was said already but when you first did your lift, did you get an alignment done? I put in a trackbar and did an alignment when my 2.5" OME HD lift went in and never experienced any trouble.

 

I'm hoping you got it aligned after the lift. I can guarantee at 3" lift your alignment is seriously pulled in. It must be shaking like hell to get all the way to the shifter.

I would check alignment first, if you had any adjustable or new controls arms I would look at those as well. Next I would consider tire balance. After that I would retorque everything, or the Grade 8 bolt swaps would have you do this anyway.

A track bar usually will not cause vibration unless it is broken and your axle is roaming freely. I ran a 05 TJ with a 2" lift and the factory track bar, smooth as the day I bought it new.

 

My 2 cents.
I did a RC 3.25 lift on mine. This is a 2.5" spring kit with a .750" plastic spacer on top of the springs.
It did include a rear track bar drop and new sway bar end links for the front. Move the front to the back.
I put 35's on and went to alignment.
No changes - all was in spec. Took it to Jeep dealer.
No wobble other than a small bit around 45-50 but nothing that is bad and runs smooth all other speeds.
When changing tires back on in spring, I run stock for winter, I had wobble. Turned out tires out of balance as they lost some stick on weights.
Once balanced - all was good. Still a very bit of wobble at 45-50 but all other speeds it is fine.
I am running 4.5" backspaced wheels and not spacers.
All other suspension components are original.
My vehicle was new and only had 700 miles when lift was installed. It now has 41K and it is all the same.
Not an answer but a reference for you as to the outcome of a 4 door with 3.25.
If yours is a 2 door, I would imagine the lift would have had different results.
Stay safe
Mandor6863

 

Seriously, take a look at the info Planman put up. Tried and true info. Systematic and no BS speculation.

 

I have read PLANMAN'S post and sincerely thank him for the wealth of knowledge that has been put in those post. because of his post i was going to put the grade 8 bolt upgrade kit to replace the bolts from the factory that are a size to small. the track bar is to try and get the geometry back to where it belongs. the alignment has not taken place i was gong to make all of these changes and then get that done.

im not sure if it helps with your guys diagnoses but when looking at the DIY front end alignment and reading this on here i heard that the pitman are should be facing as close to straight to the back end as possible while mine is alittle side cocked. if any ideas come please let me know i have not yet tried the ball joints plan on testing them when i get home. the other thing i wanted to include is that this happens between 40-46 or 47 mph. then it will go away but no matter what the mph if i hit like a bridge joint i will get a little wobble back and forth on the front end. the only time it turns from a shimee to a full on death wobble is between the 40-45

 

Replace the bolts. Go back over Planmans step by step guide. The guy is an expert at DW and steering fixes. Ask him Qs directly. He answers Pm's quickly too.

 

One of the points that Planman makes in the write up is that you have to go through the items in order.