newly lifted zj: death wobble

[newfie glass]

finally got my zj lifted with v8 springs and spacers. swapped the fronts to the rear and now have death wobble. i understand that this is not the ideal lift but when on a budget i thought it would be alright. im getting an alignment done this week sometime but im worried about the wife having to drive it. front end looks tight, but i did notice a tear in the bushing on the frame side of the trac bar. Any ideas how i could remedy this or should i just tear it out and buy a proper lift?

[WhiteOut]

That trackbar bushing is the problem, I assume its the stock trackbar and you just drilled the hole over?

[newfie glass]

i didnt drill anything. i installed a relocation bracket but it pushed the diff out too far so i too it off. the diff looks to be centered under the body. i will order the trac bar bushings tomorrow. is there any stock sway bar end links that are larger then the zj's? was told to get bigger ones to help with steering.

[jpthing]

Start out by eliminating all sources of play or looseness.
I wouldn`t bother paying for a pro alignment until you are sure you are happy with your setup.
Just do a home alignment until you get your problems worked out.
Did you adjust the alignment at all after you lifted?

[JackstandJohnny]

get underneith and look for play.  have a buddy/wife etc. wiggle the steering wheel back and forth quickly.  watch your track bar and ball joints etc for play.  this will help you find your issue.

likely its your track bar.  things like bad balljoints, hubs etc. will contribute to DW.  figure out where the play is then go from there.

i did that exact lift on a previous ZJ and had absolutely no DW whatsoever.

[newfie glass]

I replaced the tie rod end that attaches to the pitman arm. No change. I have a new steering stabilizer which probably would not hurt anyhow. I think I will buy an adjustable trackbar and hope that fixes the issue. I would like adjustable so I can use it in the future when I get a bigger lift.

[BlackYJ]

I have a new steering stabilizer which probably would not hurt anyhow.

A steering stabilizer will only mask the issue and not resolve them. 

[specialk]

A steering stabilizer will only mask the issue and not resolve them. 

if we have learnt anything from Bill...

[jpthing]

I replaced the tie rod end that attaches to the pitman arm. No change. I have a new steering stabilizer which probably would not hurt anyhow. I think I will buy an adjustable trackbar and hope that fixes the issue. I would like adjustable so I can use it in the future when I get a bigger lift.

Changing something that is ok will not help. Find the play. Usually is associated with track bar and wheel bearings, after that check steering, then ball joints. Do what Johnny said, have one person saw the wheel hard back and forth (engine off, wheels blocked) while you crawl under and looksee.

good luck.

[newfie glass]

Found the problem!!  After do as instructed by just about everyone here, lol, we noticed about 1/4" of play in the steering box. I can get a new one for $250 but I wonder if there is an aftermarket upgrade that would be in my budget? Anyone know of an alternative to a stock steering box. And many thanks to you guys for helping me out.

[w squared]

I think the "jeeper" advice is drive 'til it spits out a part number, and then upgrade it.

Now you have the part number...and the upgrade is hydro assist

[WhiteOut]

Durango box should be a direct swap. KOR and IRO both make a brace for the steering box.

[newfie glass]

Any idea what year and engine size Durango steering box would fit? And where could I find a steering box brace? I looked on iro's website and rc's and could not find one

[jpthing]

I think it's a 98 0r 99 with the v8, there is a regular and a snowplow version, both have good reviews, I think the regular has a constant ratio and the snowplow has a variable ratio...both are a little quicker and limit overall steering slightly. you can also use a dakota box.

[cLAY]

What size tires are you running? I wouldn't run any box that limits your turning radius.

I would run a good quality stock box with a brace for 33" and under. If you need more try a high performance pump and if you still need more look at hydro assist.

PSC is a company out of the US that makes custom boxs for Jeeps. I've heard good and bad stuff about them.