Jeep Wrangler Death Wobble - What's Going On With My Jeep?

The Jeep Wrangler is, without a doubt, the most well-known midsize SUV on the market. There has been some variation of Wrangler in the market for decades, and it continues to be a popular option despite the rising price.

Jeep Wrangler's reputation for off-road performance is one of the reasons for its appeal. However, at least half a decade of complaints about the Jeep Wrangler's famous "Death Wobble" have made it a somewhat risky purchase. But that too adds to the appeal if you ask its fans.

What Is The Death Wobble?

The Jeep death wobble is caused by a rapid oscillation of your steering, which causes the steering wheel to swerve from side to side. Because of this, it feels as though the vehicle is pretty much disassembling as you drive it. The chances are that you might end up clinging to the steering wheel to save your life. 

In most situations, death wobble is triggered by hitting a pothole or bumps at speeds over 45 miles per hour. It can happen at speeds under 45 miles per hour as well. 

Death wobble makes it impossible to manage your Wrangler, and the only way to force it to stop is to slow it down. This isn't your typical wheel-related vibration. There are times when a total halt is necessary. As a result, the death wobble is a more powerful shaking force.

One of the most widespread myths about the death wobble is that it exclusively affects raised Jeeps. Death wobble can occur in any vehicle with a solid front axle. You are more prone to death wobble if you have installed any suspension changes (such as lift kits).

This problem can affect any Jeep, even earlier models. Moreover, there isn't a precise year range that is more vulnerable to the wobble than others. If you find yourself in this terrible position, consider the following advice and pointers for resolving the issue.

What Makes Death Wobble Happen?

Jeep Wranglers and other four-wheel-drive cars are popularly modified with lift kits and stronger/taller springs and then driven into harsh terrain that a conventional vehicle would never be able to traverse. You can have death wobble from an imbalance in tires, old shocks, damaged or deformed steering, and suspension parts that need replacement. 

The problem could also be in the: 

• Ball joints
• Front track bar
• Upper control arms
• Suspension bushings
• Lower control arms
• Drag link/tie rod ends
• Steering knuckles
• Steering stabilizer

What To Do If Death Wobble Happens?

The most prevalent cause of death wobble is when the driver takes a paved road and drives over a bump or obstruction. Unexpected discord between the suspension and steering components may cause wobbling of the steering wheel, which can be rather dangerous.

When you feel a hiccup, the first thing you need to do is adjust your hold on the steering wheel such that your hands are at ten o'clock and two o'clock on the dial. Using this method, shake the steering wheel back and forth while directing your car without damaging your wrists or hands. Don't freak out or try to tighten your grasp on the wheel to resist the wobbling.

It won't work, and you might end up hurting yourself.

The next stage is dependent on the traffic flow. In many cases, a slight adjustment in speed or deceleration helps restore your car's natural equilibrium after a bump or jolt. However, changing the speed of a vehicle can be effective in some cases, but not always.

Even if it appears as though your car is tearing itself apart, this is not the case. Gentle steering and a gentle stomp on the brake pedal are critical in avoiding an overreaction to an emergency. Just reduce your speed or even come to a complete stop.

How To Fix Death Wobble?

Getting rid of the infamous Jeep wobble can feel like a math challenge. Vibration is at the heart of the trouble. So, you would need to find out which Jeep suspension piece is causing this problem, and you can fix it. 

Look for signs of wear or damage on the suspension components. The tie-rod ends, front track bar or ball joints are the most likely culprits. A mismatched camber or toe on a tire, for example, could produce enough vibration to re-trigger the wobbling. Get your vehicle's alignment assessed after changing any suspension part.

A steering stabilizer can temporarily eliminate death wobble in a Jeep, concealing a more severe issue. However, installing a new steering stabilizer is not a long-term solution. Disconnecting the stabilizer can help you better locate the problem during diagnostics.

Jeep and FCA Service Bulletin

The Jeep and FCA service bulletin that addresses the Wrangler death wobble was recently made available to the public. It entails designing a new steering damper that enables fluid to flow back to its original position more quickly during compression cycles. As part of a legal action in which owners of Jeep Wrangler vehicles are pursuing answers to the problem, this approach is being called into question. Some people consider the solution of the steering damper to be a band-aid for the death wobbles.

Some people are outraged that FCA advised upgrading the steering stabilizer instead of filing a recall for the affected vehicles. As we've seen, this is, at best, a stopgap measure, and it might even impede our ability to make an accurate diagnosis. Death wobble can happen to any car with a solid front axle, so it is essential to keep that in mind. 

Time will tell if litigation concludes that the FCA must be held legally accountable for what happened. The most excellent way to "treat" this issue, for now, is to prevent it from happening in the first place.

How To Prevent the Death Wobble

Here are a few tried-and-tested ways to keep the death wobble from happening to your Wrangler:

Ensure Appropriate Tire Pressure

A common cause of the death of wobble is mismatched or over-inflated tire pressure. Tire pressure should be checked frequently and deflated or inflated to avoid the deadly wobble.

Examine the Suspension

A problem with your Jeep's suspension system, notably the ball joints, front track bar, or drag link, is a common cause of the fatal wobble. To avoid the feared death wobble, you should check your suspension system for any symptoms of wear and strain. Make sure to repair any parts that appear deformed or broken.

Get Your Wheels Aligned

Misaligned wheels do not usually cause the death wobble, but they can exacerbate or trigger the issue. Because of this, you must always ensure that your Jeep's wheels are correctly aligned before driving it.

How Much Money Will It Cost To Fix The Death Wobble On My Jeep?

Unfortunately, no one can give you an exact figure needed to fix the wobbling. Prices for parts, both stock and aftermarket, differ depending on the region. A breakdown of the costs associated with our top five suggested wobble remedies can be found below:

Drag Links And Tie Rods

When it comes to the cost of drag links and tie rods, that number varies based on the height you want to lift your Jeep. The adjustable modules cost several hundred dollars, while the whole steering linkage kits (like the kit sold by Teraflex) command in one thousand five hundred dollars each. However, there is no need to worry because you can change the broken portions of the tie rods with stock units for a cost ranging from $20 to $50 per side.

Ball Joints

Considering how high grade you want to go, you might pay as much as $900 for new Load Carrying joints. On the other hand, stock replacements are available for a pair anywhere between $40 and $60. This is a significant saving. A sequence of four beefier sets is often between $200 and $250.

Steering Stabilizers

Remember that you should never presume that installing a steering stabilizer would eliminate fatal wobble. In most cases, the stabilizer is nothing more than a band-aid that may be removed whenever convenient. However, if money is short, a steering stabilizer can buy you some time to remedy the underlying issue that's causing the problem. 

Put aside $60 to $120 so that you can upgrade or replace the steering stabilizer on your vehicle. This buys you enough time to address the issue adequately.

Control Arms

Control arms, much like drag links and steering components, can bring in a nice buck contingent on how robust or customizable you need them to be. In other words, control arms are comparable to drag links. For instance, the cost of the entire pair of front and rear stock replacements is approximately $300. However, the fully adjustable set price is likely to be double that amount.

Conclusion

The death wobble is an issue that affects many Jeeps and is very genuine. It is also a potentially hazardous concern. The good news is that taking the steps described in this piece can assist you in lowering the probability of you coming across this issue. So, now that you have all the information, you can do as much off-roading on your Jeep Wrangler as you want without the fear of death wobbles.