umm, YJ death wobble/ more a very bad shimmy

[JackstandJohnny]

sure feels like it.

anyways. after breaking an axle ujoint last time out, i had the jeep towed home and decided to to do unit bearings and ball joints.  did the ball joints on the passenger side as they were very bad (as we discovered on the trail after the lower one almost spit itself out)  so i replaced the passenger side front ball joints, and both unit bearings. i left the drivers side balljoints cause they felt pretty good still.  so took jeep for a spin and around 65 -70 km/h the what feels like death wobble kicks in. but its NOT from hitting a bump.  it just starts to wobble.  

so jacked up the front end and nothing feels loose at all. unit bearings and balljoints feel tight.
any ideas? did i miss some obvious step when doin balljoints?

[JackstandJohnny]

well i can rule out trac bars. it doesnt' have em.

it ran fine out to mclean. it was just back on the tow truck into the garage.  ball joints out. unit bearings out.  they were the non adjustable balljoints, so straight in, straight out.  id assume tires at one point too but like i said, it was smooth out to mclean.  and its also non bump related. i smoked a pothole and no problem. felt tight..........

i'm hoping billy just 'knows'

[esi]

How worn is your steering box? Wheel alignment?

[JackstandJohnny]

never had an alignment before.  in fact i dont' know what you can even adjust....... asides from toe in/out which  i dont' know, i didn't adjust anything.  just ball joints out, balljoints in.  they look like they went in straight...... the nuts didn't spin on the balljoints when i tightened them.  and like i said. it feels good.

 tonight, i'm going to put my lil' 31s on it and go for a ride, and adjust the toe in/out

i think tomorrow might do the other side ball joints. but last weekend i was reefin on that knuckle pretty good, and there was no movement in it (unitbearing was scorched though)  last night when i did the ' ball joint test' by jckin up the front end it felt ok. the only movement felt like it was just the steering.

[Eagle Jeeper]

Any update on your problem my YJ has the same and I havent figured it out yet.  I have all new ball joints, bearings, seals.  It might be in the TRE's on mine or the steering box.

[JackstandJohnny]

no f-king clue.
did an allignment today, adjusted the toe in to factory spec. but nothing.  putting my 31s on right now and gonna go for a rip. i mean a little wobble is cool.......... what i've got is damn right scary

[JackstandJohnny]

well 31s and no wobble. drives better than a TJ   maybe theres a substantial amount of mud in the front tire from when my tire and rim had an argument and separated   maybe thats why............... will update on tire situation when the big meats are back

[specialk]

well 31s and no wobble. drives better than a TJ   maybe theres a substantial amount of mud in the front tire from when my tire and rim had an argument and separated   maybe thats why............... will update on tire situation when the big meats are back

I wonder where you may have gotten all the mud in tire?  I mean seriously... the tire lost it's beadhow many times? 

[JackstandJohnny]

 


also need a new battery. i think that last pull killed it............... i don't like that trail anymore

right now the 31s are on it and she's running nice. can't go faster than 90, but its nice.  hopefully the iroks move this week so i can get some new meats

[Bnine]

Should be shackle and main eye bushings john. not much else on a YJ that will cause it.

Mike and I built a disconnecting track bar for his YJ to deal with the bushing related death wobble. It was easier to do and more permanent of a fix, since a wheeled YJ will trach leaf bushings on a regular basis.

If you get the girlfreind to wiggle the steering wheel, watch the shackles, and watch the axle in relation to the frame. They are probably moving in opposite directions.

If you want to make one of those track bars, let me know. They are cheap and easy enough to do.

[JackstandJohnny]

bill are you referring to the frame end bushings?  because i will admit, i didnt' change those out with the lift (yes, they are probalby bad now....)  i will get my neighbour to wiggle it back and forth.... and we'll see what comes of it (it would make sense that the heavier tires would multiply the wobble right?)

i might take you up on the track bar too.

[mike s]

Removable front track bar? My stock one is getting tired, I'd be interested Bill.

[Eagle Jeeper]

x3 on the bar I'd be interested to see some pics of it

[Bnine]

I didnt take any pics off mikes jeep, but its pretty simple.

Two peices of tubing, one slides into the other. A pin drilled through keeps the bar at a fixed length on road. Pull the pin when wheeling so the track bar can slide in an out, not restricting any flex.

Parts are 110-120$ for the whole thing. I can put a few kits together for you guys if you want.

[mike s]

Sold, do you put in a grease fitting in to aid the sliding of the bars?