Death Wobble ?

[Ace!]

Is death wobble something an alignment might fix (caster)? I haven’t had death wobble in the past, but recently my Jeep’s handling has been getting worse, without any additional modifications. My control arms are stock (I think that’s what my “clunk” is), the steering stabilizer/dampener is stock (not leaking though) and my alignment has been getting totally out of whack (worse after every wheelin’ trip). Since I haven’t done any recent mods I’m certain my degrading handling is a “wear” item or something that can be “adjusted” off road.

Any tips? Thanks.

Áron O'Proinntigh is ainm dom

[Hellbender]

Yes, an alignment can fix death wobble, but it is more likely your toe-in/out than your caster, but could be a combo of both.

After your alignment, carefully measure the distance between the grease fittings on your tie-rod ends and record this measurement.

If you lift higher or mess up your front end off-road, just adjust your tie-rod to the recorded measurement and your toe-in is fixed! Saves a lot of $$$ on alignments.

HTH

2000 TJ 4.0L, A/T, all factory options.
Jeep Rater Score 360
http://www.hellbender.rockcrawler.com/
NRA Lifetime Member

[Ace!]

Oh, that's a good tip. Thanks.

Áron O'Proinntigh is ainm dom

[Stu Olson]

Hellbender,

What do you consider proper toe in for 6" of lifted TJ? I'm looking for some input to see if my assumptions are correct.


http://www.stu-offroad.com

[mrblaine]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Stu Olson:
Hellbender,

What do you consider proper toe in for 6" of lifted TJ? I'm looking for some input to see if my assumptions are correct.


<A HREF="http://www.stu-offroad.com" TARGET=_blank>http://www.stu-

offroad.com</A>[/quote]

I'm not HB, but about 3/32" and frequent rotation to combat tire wear makes for a nice handling jeep.

It is not who you know, It is who knows you
Jeeps do not make jeepers, jeepers make Jeeps.

[Stu Olson]

Blaine,

Could you comment on what you "might" expect to find (vehicle handling wise) if the above Jeep was set up with 0" toe-in?


http://www.stu-offroad.com

[mrblaine]

I am not sure that we are the same height. I was intently questioning the alignment tech and having him explain what all of the dimensions on the computer screen meant.

I told him I was looking for a little less wander on the highway, as everything else was fine. He explained that dialing in a bit more toe-in than was spec'ed out would help with that. Just need to be cautious of the tire wear. I am not exactly certain that the dimension is as stated. I just know that I have 1/16" more toe than is recommended. I had Kat's set up the same way and it is very nice on the freeway.

It is not who you know, It is who knows you
Jeeps do not make jeepers, jeepers make Jeeps.

[mrblaine]

Here is some interesting reading for you Stu. It would appear that there is some contradictory information running around on the net. (imagine that)

http://www.pirate4x4.com/cgi-bin/ubb...c&f=4&t=005058

It is not who you know, It is who knows you
Jeeps do not make jeepers, jeepers make Jeeps.

[Stu Olson]

Based on some reading and some alingment "how to info" I found on the net (yeah, I know, you have to be careful what you believe....especially someone making comments about wire size or something), I came to the conclusion that my recently aquired 0" toe setting was causing my wandering. I was waiting to see how you answered my question to see if I was on track or not.

Now, the question is to determine a good way to do the adjuster, just a bit, and give me a bit of toe. I don't really have a good way to measure (compared to the jig they used at the alignment shop), although I think I can pull it off with the help of someone else to hold the other end of the measuring device while I adjust.


http://www.stu-offroad.com

[Stu Olson]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by mrblaine:
Here is some interesting reading for you Stu. It would appear that there is some contradictory information running around on the net. (imagine that)

[/quote]

Well, I am going to stick with giving it a little toe-in. Part of the reading I found got into the dynamics of what happens to the vehicle as it comes up to speed, and the affect it has on toe-in during this time. I don't know if all of the info was completely accurate for our Jeeps, based on their brick like areodynamic shape. I guess it is time to give it a try.


http://www.stu-offroad.com

[mrblaine]

Stu- I can give you a method that will work perfectly.

Axle on jackstands at ride height on level ground. Remove tires. Take two straight edges about 2 feet long. Clamp them to the lugnut secured rotors parallel to the ground. Make certain that an equidistant portion of the straightedge extends both way from the centerline of the axle, while maintaining parallelism with the ground.

Measure the distance between the ends front and rear. Make the front one about a fat eighth of an inch closer together than the rear. Go drive it and smile.

It is not who you know, It is who knows you
Jeeps do not make jeepers, jeepers make Jeeps.

[Stu Olson]

Well, call me thick I guess. I can not for the life of me visualize the setup you are describing. It is no doubt, a good one.

At the present, I could not pull it off since my jack stands won't drop that short (ie., I bought big ones to hold the frame and all well off the ground).

I'll most likely give it (toe adjustement) a go when I am back from visiting your fair state.


http://www.stu-offroad.com