Hopefully someone here can figure this out.? I have a 2014 Rubicon 4 door with a 4.5 AEV lift on 37" Nitto trail grapplers. I have about 24,000 miles on this setup and has driven smooth until now. Now when I drive and get to around 50 mph, the steering wheel shakes like crazy(sometimes worse than others) but goes away when I drop the speed or speed up. I have been 5 tire rotating every 5,000 miles and I just had the tires balanced. According to the balance machine they're all good. What else could it be besides wheels and tires?

 

So first, I think you have, but I'll ask anyway. Have you rotated the front tires to the back just to be sure?

Second, inspect the tires to ensure there isn't a tire going bad?

Perhaps check your wheel bearing assemblies for wear

 

I do the same rotation every time which involves all 5 tires so they all end up in a different spot. Front to back and side to side. I've inspected the tires and adjusted all psi (all at 30psi). Maybe the bearings?

 

Sounds like you have what is know as the death wobble. If you do a search on it, there is a lot of info. I upgraded my ball joints and drag link to get rid of it on my 2 door. Sent from my iPhone using JK-Forum

 

Maybe have them take off weights and balance again.

 

Lower that tire pressure, search for "chalk test" & get a good contact patch for that tire. You'll likely end up around 26psi with a much smoother ride. Check the torque on all of your front suspension and steering components as well as checking them for play.

 

Had the same problem years ago on my TJ. After re-balancing, changing steering stabilizer, re-rotating. I took it to the dealer and after they also tried everything they took all tires off and put a set from a new Jeep. The problem went away. The solution was replace the tires since something was internally separating because there was no outside evidence of an issue on any of them. I put up with it for awhile longer, since it was my daily driver and only on surface streets, but finally put 4 new tires and the problem never returned.

 

I'm going to assume that you are running stock ball joints, track bar, drag link, tie rod and Power steering Box. You may have upgraded them. Either way you are running 37" tires which translates into ware and tare on the front end steering. I would take it to a reputable Jeep or other up fitter that specializes in alignment for a complete check of these items. (anything that needs replacing must be done before alignment). So don't pay for alignment tell these are fixed. In my opinion any amount of slop then the item should be replaced or upgraded.

there are lots of posts on this.

 

I go into discount tire every 3k for the free balance rotation. I have gone in with no shimmy, and left with one. Went back and had them rebalanced (not rotated again), and the second guy said that two of the four tires, that had just been balanced, were out of balance.

I guess the moral of that story is : Just because they balanced your tires, doesn't mean it was done right...

 

Along with the steering recommended by others. Check out your front driveshaft. This can be a big issue with "death wobble" and I know a few who have encountered this. With a 4.5" lift you will be prone to this issue with a jku.

- Tommy
2011 jku