out of control steering after hitting a bump

Driving my 57 CJ 5 yesterday with my son and hit a bump at maybe 20-25 mph. The front started shaking horribly. I thought my front end was coming off. Pulled over, checked everything and started again. No issues unless I hit a good size rut in the road. I did some searching and find this issue might be called "death wobble".
My 57 CJ5 is completely rebuilt. I have a 3 inch BD lift kit with longer shackles. The tires are 32x11.5x15. I have a Ford reverse steering power steering setup. I checked my alignment initially after the rebuild and added a set of shims to correct caster to 6-7 degrees. Wobble started after that, or so I think??? Regardless, I am taking it to Tarheel 4wd tomorrow for checking it out. I spoke on the phone he said it sounds like death wobble. He is going to check everything and recommended a stabilizer.


1) stabilizer may help minimize wobble but doesn't correct right?
2) recommendation for a stabilizer setup?
3) most common cause in a rebuilt front end with this setup?
4) recommendation for trouble shoot and fix?


Any help is greatly appreciated...

Paul M.

 

I checked it after the lift, but not after the shims were placed and driving. I have roughly 250 miles on the rebuild... One thing for sure is to check all nuts and bolts for tightness.

 

While I was contemplating the death wobble, I took my 100 pound 8 month puppy Newfie out for a bathroom break. I decided to shake the steering components while I was outside. I found the drag link lock nut to be loose and almost off the threads. Question:
1) when one adjusts the drag link how does that affect the alignment?
2) is the drag link length set first then the long tie rod?
3) could the loose lock nut on the drag link end be the culprit, and if so, what possibly could it have done?
4) anyone want to help pay for my Newfie food?

Thanks,
Paul

 

yes.. the drag link goes to the passenger end toe rod. The lock nut was completely loose. a weak link in the steering I assumed since it wasn't tight. I was hoping maybe that was the cause of the shimmy when hitting a bump. Caster should be 5-7 degrees positive right? No matter what size tires or shackles, right? The lock nut that was loose is near the passenger tie rod end. I was thinking the loose end allows the drag link to turn and causes misalignment when hitting a bump...

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WOW what a good lookin' front end!!

 

the Tie rod ends are tapered and if its not tighted down it can wobble in the mounting hole. the cotter pin must have fallen out. thighten the castle nut and put in a new pin. check the other cotter pins and go for a test drive.

im glad that the nut didnt fall off leaving you with no steering.
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yes..the jam nut.... BY the way...looking at the shackles, they are not vertical. They are angled towards the rear. Is that a problem? If so, how to fix? When the jeep was rebuilt I had the front spring mounts lowered with a spacer to raise the front a little. The front was sitting a litle low, I assumed from the 283 engine and accessories. I had the alignment checked and adjusted. Today I am taking it to have the front checked out for the death wobble and drive line angles. I am going to a 4wd shop. Hopefully it will work out..

 

What everyone else said. You also have a pretty severe drag link angle there that can contribute to the death wobble issue. Need to reduce that drag link angle with a drop Pitman arm or through other means.

 

No, with a shackle reversal on arched springs that is how they should be.

 

Jack it up, put stands under the frame, not the axle, and grab a tire and push/pull it up/down, right/left, front/back----any direction it can move.

Do the same for the other tire.

Do it for the steering components including the box.

I suspect you will find something that is loose.

One other (small probability, but possible) thing is if you had a lot of wheel weight to balance a tire, and the weight got knocked off when you hit the bump.

 

I've had to deal with the Death Wobble a few times. Finally figured it out by grabbing the front bumper and pushing the front of the jeep side to side while watching all the front end components. Turned out to be the axle/spring U-bolts were loose. I've had to tighten them up a few times but at least I know what the problem is now when the dreaded DW happens.

I agree with nick about getting a dropped pitman arm.

Nice looking Jeep.

 

Checking all the bolts/nuts. From what I read, finding the culprit can be difficult to say the least. Does the addition of a steering stabilizer add much in reality? I understand it doesn't cure the issue with death wobble and bump steer, but I have read some reviews that say it helps with smoother steering and less bump steer. Does current trend/feeling justify the cost right now? This jeep is my first so I am not sure what the end product should be as far as steering goes...

What drag link angle would be the best? I understand a 0 degree angle would probable be best but is that what most people have? It seems like with any lift, there is always going to be some angle. How much is acceptable?

Thanks for the comment about the Jeep, just have to get the steering as good as it looks. Engine already runs nice.

Thanks,
Paul

 

I had it happen one time when a brake caliper froze.

 

Parallel with the tie rod.
With it at an angle like that the drag links first motion is going to be twisting the tie rod which leads to sloppy steering and premature tie rod end failure. I ran a very similar setup, just without the reverse rotation box, and had that exact problem.
Steering stabilizer: yea it’ll mostly smooth out steering but if everything is in good condition, torqued to spec, and all angles are correct you don’t necessarily “need” one.
I’ve been running without one for a while but I just got a new Rancho stabilizer to put back on it because the bump steer off road is brutal. Finger breaking, whipping the steering wheel around brutal.

 

I had a similar experience and it turned out to be a bad King Pin Bearing.

 

never saw a shackle on back side of spring like that