Steering stabilizer myth and death wobble
#12
I think most people say getting a bigger and better SS doesn't cure DW.
A lot of people who get DW think they should be able to fix it with a SS... you shouldn't be getting DW even if you did run a SS.
The first two posts are useful though b/c I guess if I ever get DW I will take off my SS and test it out to make sure its not the cause. I believe the OP had legit DW, but I would say about 90% of the posts talking about DW on this forum are really just talking about a little bump steer.
A lot of people who get DW think they should be able to fix it with a SS... you shouldn't be getting DW even if you did run a SS.
The first two posts are useful though b/c I guess if I ever get DW I will take off my SS and test it out to make sure its not the cause. I believe the OP had legit DW, but I would say about 90% of the posts talking about DW on this forum are really just talking about a little bump steer.
#13
Forum Tech Advisor
If you have read my Death Wobble Diagnosis thread and watched my YouTube videos, close to step #1 is to disconnect the steering stabilizer.
Within a few minutes, doing a dry steering test like I show in video #2 would have exposed the faulty trackbar bushing.
Cycling the steering stabilizer by hand would have exposed the faulty stabilizer.
Glad you got it fixed.
DW is fairly simple to diagnose and fix. Few shops or dealers will know what you will understand after watching my videos, crawling under your jeep, and performing the tests in my checklist.
Like has been mentioned, a stabilizer is a mask.
What the dealers and shops too often do is notice a leaking steering stabilizer that has failed because it can no longer mask the source(s) of the problem. They blame it on the stabilizer instead of investigating the actual source(s).
This thread is helpful as a reminder that removing the steering stabilizer is needed to diagnose problems--including a bad steering stabilizer.
Within a few minutes, doing a dry steering test like I show in video #2 would have exposed the faulty trackbar bushing.
Cycling the steering stabilizer by hand would have exposed the faulty stabilizer.
Glad you got it fixed.
DW is fairly simple to diagnose and fix. Few shops or dealers will know what you will understand after watching my videos, crawling under your jeep, and performing the tests in my checklist.
Like has been mentioned, a stabilizer is a mask.
What the dealers and shops too often do is notice a leaking steering stabilizer that has failed because it can no longer mask the source(s) of the problem. They blame it on the stabilizer instead of investigating the actual source(s).
This thread is helpful as a reminder that removing the steering stabilizer is needed to diagnose problems--including a bad steering stabilizer.
#14
If you have read my Death Wobble Diagnosis thread and watched my YouTube videos, close to step #1 is to disconnect the steering stabilizer ..... ..... This thread is helpful as a reminder that removing the steering stabilizer is needed to diagnose problems--including a bad steering stabilizer.
If I had a reason to replace the steering stabilizer now, this is what I'd have chosen --
#15
JK Newbie
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Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Albuquerque, NM
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If you have read my Death Wobble Diagnosis thread and watched my YouTube videos, close to step #1 is to disconnect the steering stabilizer.
Within a few minutes, doing a dry steering test like I show in video #2 would have exposed the faulty trackbar bushing.
Cycling the steering stabilizer by hand would have exposed the faulty stabilizer.
Glad you got it fixed.
DW is fairly simple to diagnose and fix. Few shops or dealers will know what you will understand after watching my videos, crawling under your jeep, and performing the tests in my checklist.
Like has been mentioned, a stabilizer is a mask.
What the dealers and shops too often do is notice a leaking steering stabilizer that has failed because it can no longer mask the source(s) of the problem. They blame it on the stabilizer instead of investigating the actual source(s).
This thread is helpful as a reminder that removing the steering stabilizer is needed to diagnose problems--including a bad steering stabilizer.
Within a few minutes, doing a dry steering test like I show in video #2 would have exposed the faulty trackbar bushing.
Cycling the steering stabilizer by hand would have exposed the faulty stabilizer.
Glad you got it fixed.
DW is fairly simple to diagnose and fix. Few shops or dealers will know what you will understand after watching my videos, crawling under your jeep, and performing the tests in my checklist.
Like has been mentioned, a stabilizer is a mask.
What the dealers and shops too often do is notice a leaking steering stabilizer that has failed because it can no longer mask the source(s) of the problem. They blame it on the stabilizer instead of investigating the actual source(s).
This thread is helpful as a reminder that removing the steering stabilizer is needed to diagnose problems--including a bad steering stabilizer.
---------------
Planman you are absolutely right! I will never argue with you on what you have shown us all.
I have not been around to check these replies because I have either been sailing or Jeeping and I have to say that so far so good! No problems at all! So far there has been zero signs of DW. The steering feels solid over bumps and at HWY speeds. I am in the process of deciding the best way to go for the bump steer. I have a little bit of bump steer and if I can afford something like the flipped drag link then I might, or I will use a dropped pitman arm.
I personally want to thank you Planman for the videos and helping with the sanity of DW. I guess it is hard to trust a lot of shops and even harder when you are personally emotionally invested in the problem. So your videos helped me sleep at night!!!!!
#17
I had horrible DW and couldn't seem to fix the problem. I replaces all the bushings with new ones from energy suspension an the problem is now gone. The upper front control arms were the worst. It now rides and drives like new again.
#19
JK Jedi Master
This is really the key. Once you're experiencing DW, each occurrence is damaging other parts. All of a sudden you go from one part causing the problem to several problems. I was surprised (perhaps I overlooked?) that you didn't describe checking the trackbar mounting brackets.
#20
JK Enthusiast
Join Date: May 2008
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If the trackbar bolts are torqued correctly will this create issues if the bracket holes are ovaled? My dealer is telling me this. (Going to a different dealer this week also)