VIOLENT shaking if I hit a big bump at highway speeds.
12-22-2013, 09:39 AM
#12
Forum Tech Advisor
So I have posted about this problem before, its been going on a for months now and I still cannot locate the source. My specs are 2011 JKU sport 44,000 miles, 30,000 on the lift. Rock Krawler 2.5" stock mod kit Bilstein 5100s Rough country sway discos Also I have NEVER had a professional wheel alignment on the vehicle, (not even after the lift) probably a mistake. So what is happening is not what I believe to be death wobble. It really doesn't happen often but when it does it is pretty terrifying. While driving at highway speeds, if I hit a large bump (usually a sewer grate on the end lane) the jeep goes nuts. It starts violently shaking all over the place to the point that I feel like a tire is going to snap off. It persists for maybe 4-6 seconds and then the jeep steadies itself and carries on as usual. I have no idea what could be causing this, but it did start almost immediately after I messed with the "toe in" to try to align my tires myself. That may be entirely coincidental though I really didn't change that much. I also did check the ball joints and I am assuming I need to replace those too. They have about 1/16" of play in the uppers but would that really cause such violent occurrences? My steering feels fine at all other times so I don't think it would be the stabilizer either? Please help! I know if I go to a mechanic they will try and get me to replace half the front end.
Most likely, you haven't retorqued your front trackbar bolts at every oil change interval and they have damaged/ovaled your trackbar bracket bolt holes after loosening up.
Or, you didn't retorque your control arm and trackbar bolts after every major wheeling trip, and they are out of spec.
If you did not loosen your trackbar and control arm bolts for your lift install and wait to retorque them until after the full weight of the vehicle was back on the ground at the new ride height to ensure your bushings were not twisted/preloaded/binding to the wrong ride height, this will cause premature failure of the control arm and trackbar bushings.
These types of things may be aggravated by too much to too little toe-in.
Have you watched the videos and read the first posts in my Diagnosing Death Wobble write-up thread linked below in my signature?
Last edited by planman; 12-22-2013 at 10:04 AM.
12-22-2013, 11:54 AM
#13
JK Freak
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My Trackbar isn't ovaled out I actually just replaced the entire heim end on it because it was squeeking. I loosened all bolts when the lift was installed on Trackbar and control arms and have checked them periodically.
12-22-2013, 01:26 PM
#14
JK Freak
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I ordered the ball joints. Figure I may as well start with the obviously in need of replacement parts and go from there.
Synergy was twice the price I found some good things said about the alloys.
Synergy was twice the price I found some good things said about the alloys.
12-22-2013, 04:51 PM
#15
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I used plan mans videos and advice to solve the exact issue you mentioned, what I did was replaced the draglink, tie rod and track bar. Plus ball joints and all bolts in the lower control arms, track bars, plus the sway bar linkage. Plus shocks and steering stabalizer. The only thing that was not showing signs of damage was the sway bar links, and the LCA rear and rear track bar. Lower ball joints trashed. The oval ing in the track bar bracket may not be noticeable to the eye but if you measure you will find you most likely have it starting. I can not thank this site and the help they provided me. You don't have to get it aligned at a shop but for 170 bucks I can take my jeep in every week if needed or desired to ensure I am good Firestone offers lifetime alignments. Which also saved me a lot of time and a record of issues that might be starting before it gets too bad! Just my 2 cents
12-22-2013, 05:11 PM
#16
Forum Tech Advisor
I used plan mans videos and advice to solve the exact issue you mentioned, what I did was replaced the draglink, tie rod and track bar. Plus ball joints and all bolts in the lower control arms, track bars, plus the sway bar linkage. Plus shocks and steering stabalizer. The only thing that was not showing signs of damage was the sway bar links, and the LCA rear and rear track bar. Lower ball joints trashed. The oval ing in the track bar bracket may not be noticeable to the eye but if you measure you will find you most likely have it starting. I can not thank this site and the help they provided me. You don't have to get it aligned at a shop but for 170 bucks I can take my jeep in every week if needed or desired to ensure I am good Firestone offers lifetime alignments. Which also saved me a lot of time and a record of issues that might be starting before it gets too bad! Just my 2 cents
12-22-2013, 07:58 PM
#17
JK Freak
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I used plan mans videos and advice to solve the exact issue you mentioned, what I did was replaced the draglink, tie rod and track bar. Plus ball joints and all bolts in the lower control arms, track bars, plus the sway bar linkage. Plus shocks and steering stabalizer. The only thing that was not showing signs of damage was the sway bar links, and the LCA rear and rear track bar. Lower ball joints trashed. The oval ing in the track bar bracket may not be noticeable to the eye but if you measure you will find you most likely have it starting. I can not thank this site and the help they provided me. You don't have to get it aligned at a shop but for 170 bucks I can take my jeep in every week if needed or desired to ensure I am good Firestone offers lifetime alignments. Which also saved me a lot of time and a record of issues that might be starting before it gets too bad! Just my 2 cents
12-22-2013, 08:14 PM
#18
12-22-2013, 09:02 PM
#19
Forum Tech Advisor
Synergy ball joints, $200
Synergy drag link, $200
Synergy tie rod, $325
JKS trackbar, $190
quality pair of front shocks, $160
Axle side front upper control arm bushings, $80
quality steering stablizer, $60
weld grade 8 washers over trackbar holes, $100
12-23-2013, 04:37 AM
#20
JK Super Freak
If you destroyed as much as he did:
Synergy ball joints, $200
Synergy drag link, $200
Synergy tie rod, $325
JKS trackbar, $190
quality pair of front shocks, $160
Axle side front upper control arm bushings, $80
quality steering stablizer, $60
weld grade 8 washers over trackbar holes, $100
Synergy ball joints, $200
Synergy drag link, $200
Synergy tie rod, $325
JKS trackbar, $190
quality pair of front shocks, $160
Axle side front upper control arm bushings, $80
quality steering stablizer, $60
weld grade 8 washers over trackbar holes, $100