Jeep Cherokee Wobble Death.... WHY ? ?

Mubz · Post by **Mubz** » Mon Sep 08, 2014 1:20 pm

Hi Guys,

I have a little problem with my newly acquired Jeep Cherokee XJ 1999. I'll explain the situation and welcome suggestions from experts.

Symptoms:

Driving at 100 - 120 Km all of a sudden front of the jeep will wobble and its not just the steering entire car wobbles as if everything is going to fell apart. ( feels like you are in the epicenter of earthquake)

Applying brakes and bringing it back to say 60-80Km it drives fine again.

History of Car.

Car was imported from US back in 2012 but kept in garage for 2 year and probably did 1 km at most.

Modifications:

I bought the car and did the following modifications.
1. Replaced all the fluids ( engine oil, power steering oil, break fluids, differential oil )
2. 2.5 inch rough country Lift kit
3. Bigger Tyres ( 255/55/R15)

Actions Taken So Far.

1. Steering shock replaced ( old one was damaged).
2. Wheel Balancing and wheel alignment.
3. Changed Spark Plugs.
4. Changed Air Filter.

Wheel balancing reduced the wobbling a little bit but not completely.

Someone suggested to change all the rubber bushes not sure if that's going to work or no but I need opinion from all the jeepers

Thanks in Advance.

omar_kid77 · Post by **omar_kid77** » Mon Sep 08, 2014 1:58 pm

The same happen with me. I took the car to wheel balancing shop.
Problem was the rods balance.

Mubz · Post by **Mubz** » Mon Sep 08, 2014 2:02 pm

omar_kid77 wrote: Problem was the rods balance.

You mean the alignment or Trackbar ?

omar_kid77 · Post by **omar_kid77** » Mon Sep 08, 2014 2:09 pm

Both, trackbar the one comes behind the differential and connected to the body?

Mubz · Post by **Mubz** » Mon Sep 08, 2014 2:15 pm

omar_kid77 wrote:Both, trackbar the one comes behind the differential and connected to the body?

Yup thats right, I'll get trackbar checked. and will report back.

omar_kid77 · Post by **omar_kid77** » Mon Sep 08, 2014 2:30 pm

Let me know.
If you like i can guide you to the wheel balance shop in Musaffah.

tillybean · Post by **tillybean** » Mon Sep 08, 2014 5:28 pm

Same issue on my JK 2008 Sahara. Replaced steering rods and bushes. Problem solved. This is a common thing, so maybe look back through the forum as I believe its been covered before.

Good luck.

It's very scary when it happens!

DinoStroker · Post by **DinoStroker** » Mon Sep 08, 2014 5:34 pm

I had the same "death wobble" problem last year. Thought it might be the steering damper but it wasn't. Turned out to be the track bar; the ball joint on the chassis side was worn and a new track bar cured it.

Mubz · Post by **Mubz** » Tue Sep 09, 2014 10:32 am

I've been doing some reading lately and most of the forums say its mostly because of "Track Bar" or "Worn bushes"

I will replace them both.

Regarding Wheel Alignment, I've heard Adnoc does a really good job as their equipment is well taken care off ( Just Heard), also read on a forum that lifted 4x4's have different setting of wheel alignment then standard 4x4. is that true ?

DinoStroker · Post by **DinoStroker** » Tue Sep 09, 2014 1:05 pm

Mubz wrote:
Regarding Wheel Alignment, I've heard Adnoc does a really good job as their equipment is well taken care off ( Just Heard), also read on a forum that lifted 4x4's have different setting of wheel alignment then standard 4x4. is that true ?

You'll definitely need to check and adjust the wheel alignment when you change the ride height. The camber and caster are fixed due to the solid front axle and four-link suspension set-up, but the toe can be adjusted through the tie rod ends.
Depending on the amount of lift, you may need longer control arms to restore the proper caster.

omar_kid77 · Post by **omar_kid77** » Tue Sep 09, 2014 9:30 pm

Any news Man? hope this been solved?

please share more details about longer arms? from where can get it?

scotchyl · Post by **scotchyl** » Tue Sep 09, 2014 9:54 pm

If you are in Abu Dhabi I would recommend a specialist tyre shop to do alignment balance etc. you really need to go to one which uses the lasers to do alignment. Also if you have oversize tyres alit will not be able to do them as they are too big for their equipment. Supercars or quality tyres I use or in town tyreplus on salam street. About 400 for rotation clean, balance and alignment. Maximum. Also rotate tyres every 5000km just to avoid heavy wear on front tyres.

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kastrato · Post by **kastrato** » Wed Sep 10, 2014 8:20 am

Omar,
For longer arms you can get it from the usual places, ramy uppon order etc or the states.
I believe you have a TJ, because JK dont need long arms they have it from the factory...(not adjustable though)
It a big modification and I be sure that you need to do this prior of deciding to proceed.

Mubz · Post by **Mubz** » Wed Sep 10, 2014 10:42 am

I already have long Arm installed came with the lift kit set.

I was using the same lift kit on my previous Cherokee XJ 97, this one is actually stripped from the old cherokee and installed on the new one.

I had trackbar checked by the garage and they said its fine and all the bushes are original ( genuine) and in good condition, I need to do Wheel Allignment now.

I am in dubai so will take it to Dyna Trade or any other with proper laser equipment.

I'll get it sorted tomorrow and will give it a spin and see how it behaves.

one more thing, should I do allignment first or change the trackbar first ?

I mean by changing track bar does it effect allignment ?

omar_kid77 · Post by **omar_kid77** » Wed Sep 10, 2014 11:10 am

I believe much preferable to change first and kerp the alignments to the last.
What brand is your lift kit?
Did you ordered them online?