Wobble

I know about the dreaded death wobble. I didn't have an issue since I added the wedges, and did a few other mods. However, my Jeep has been sitting for over 2 years, occasional sytart up and drive less than a mile at low speed, but recently sat for over a year without moving. I made sure all tires are at 32 psi. I drove it after new battery and alternator. There was a shaking, more like off balance tires at low speed. then, as I increased, i got the death wobble. It continued after more driving. I plan on taking it in for an alignment, and wheel balance. Question, is there a possibility of water in the tires? Should the tires be taken off and remounted? Am I missing any possible other causes from sitting for so long? wheels are 15x10 western wheels, BFG Tires KM2 32x11.5x15..

Thanks,
Paul

 

I've mounted and dismounted dozens of tires and never found water that wasn't put in on purpose. Tires I mounted using soapy water when dismounted show no signs IME so I'd wager that's not it.

Alignment, worn steering components, etc. are the most likely suspects.

 

Tires are Flat on one side.........sometimes they recover , sometimes not........should be jacked up if its going to set for a long time

 

yep try a new set of tires

 

Have you been through the knuckles?

 

Sounds like a classic case of square tires! As mentioned above, tires can get flat-spotted from sitting for a length of time. Often, just driving on them a bit will get them back round. Are the tires old enough where they need to be replaced anyway? For something street driven, 8-10 year old tires should be replaced even if they have plenty of tread.
-Donny

 

I vote flat spot on tires from sitting to long without sitting on jack stands. Happens to me every year when weather warms up allowing me to drive. No top. Takes a few miles to get them round again but they always do. I know-- I need two more jack stands.

 

My Jeep had big wide old hard tires on it when I bought it, it went into a wobble at 45-50 mph, and would not stop wobbling until almost stopped. I replaced the wheels with 15" X 8.5" wheels and 15" Firestone Wilderness tires off an Explorer. I then added a steering shock, and everything got better. I then went to 15" X 7" Ansen wheels and stock size tires 750 X 15" , it was too hard on the steering with the large tires. My Jeep drives great now, just saying. Good Luck whatever you deiced.

 

Thinking abut all the replies, could be the tires. The tires were put on probably about 6 years ago. They have plenty of tread left. I can try to drive it a while at low speed tonsee if it corrects before purchasing new. Before I obtained the jeep from my sister, it had these same size wheels, stock shackles and springs. When I rebuilt it, i put on a black diamond 2 inch lift and bigger daystar shackles. Started getting the wobble then. Had an alignment and put in wedges. Also a front stabilizer shock (doesn't fix the real issue I know). Did well until it sat for a few years, before I could go 60 ish without wobble (just high rpms in the v8). Maybe going down on lift/shackles would help??

 

It may help by losing the lift as it puts more strain on steering systems. I also believe that sitting for years can lead to damage to the king pin bearings and races. Just my theory.

 

So you aren't chasing geese, I'd start by borrowing some known good tires and wheels from a friend and driving it. Maybe just tires. If not, I'd start looking at long shackles, worn out spring bushings and worn out steering joints and kingpin bearings in that order. Also could be a combo of all of the above. I don't think a 2 inch spring is going to be much issue in my opinion.

 

Would getting the tires balanced check the tire issue? I mean if tires couldn’t be balanced, then tire issue probably??

 

That could be a good idea, but before spending the money, it would be pretty quick if you have a friend with the same lug pattern to just slap on a known good set of borrowed tires to see if it helps. Just the fronts even.

 

If the tire shop spins em they will know if they are flat spotted.

 

I'd wonder if maybe driving on them for awhile would be a good idea before the balance job,
See if they smooth out a bit, then get a balancing that won't change if the flats go away.

 

Yup can't hurt

 

I could only drive 15-20 mph and avoid rough roads. Trying it for a while to see if it makes a difference. I have the Ford reverse power steering kit from Herm. I want to put it on jack stands and have someone turn the front end. Should the Jeep be running during this, since it is power steering?? Now, just need to find a jack that lifts high enough to pick up the Jeep

 

As an aside part from anything else, 32psi in the tires sounds like a very high pressure to use in combination with such a large tire and such a light vehicle.

 

What is a good pressure??