2006 Jeep Rubicon Vibration

[73c20jim]

Starts at 53 MPH ends at 65 MPH.

Already balanced all four tires and rotated front to back.

Steering wheel shakes, like mini "death wobble".

Any suggestions????

 

[Craig 85]

It could be an out of round tire. But here's a link on Jeep Death Wobble and what to check.
https://www.quadratec.com/c/blog/jeep-death-wobble-how-to-fix

You must be registered for see images attach

 

[73c20jim]

Swapped tires front to rear. Two tires out of round???

Will recheck front suspension. Had death wobble once. This is so minor compared to death wobble.

 

[DoubleDingo]

My '91 does that too. I think it's the engine mounts. If I recall correctly it won't do it in D, but will in OD with the TC locked-up. It started a couple years ago when we were on vacation. Right now it's parked because it won't start and I misplaced the parts I bought to fix it.

 

[73c20jim]

TEST RESULTS:

6th gear 55 MPH - vibration
BASE CASE

5th gear 55 MPH - vibration
not RPM related

neutral 55 mph - vibration
not engine related

engine off neutral - vibration
not motor mount related

Balanced all four tires - switched back and front tires
not tire related


Whats left????

 

[dvdswan]

Since you feel it in the steering wheel I'd check the Drag link and tie-rod joints first. If its lifted at all they will get more wear than stock would.

Track bar and control arms aren't directly connected to the steering wheel. But a worn bushing on one side could be enough to get a slight wobble at speeds.

 

[DoubleDingo]

Yeah, what @dvdswan said is all I can think of too. Unless maybe a hub bearing is going out.

 

[idahovette]

What year ,how many miles?

 

[73c20jim]

What year ,how many miles?

2006 48,000 miles

3" lift
1" body lift

 

[TravisB]

From your test results my opinion is you are getting the early stages of death wobble. That stuff doesn't usually come on over night and you have some connection allowing play. In my old Jeep I could hide that with new tires but you are really just hiding it and it quickly returns as the tires start to wear. With as minor as you say it is you will have a rough time finding where the slop is because it could be all the joints with a minor bit of play all compounding together making the vibration in just the right situation.

Use that image that @Craig 85 posted and check for play in every one of those highlighted connections. The sway bar links are probably not causing it though. Mine was in the track bar. I had lifted my Jeep and was using the stock track bar. The joint at the axle end had a little play but the top at the frame was a bit worse. I order a new dropped track bar from rough country and fixed my issue. At that point I had changed my control arm end bushings and tie rods and had an alignment before trying the track bar.

 

[73c20jim]

Could an warped disc be causing this????? Having some shutter on braking. I'll pull it apart tomorrow.

Really hope it's warped.

 

[Preston]

I put a wider set of wheels and tires on my all wheel drive X5 and I had the same problem at certain speeds, I found out the inside of my new tires were too close to the body. I put a set of 1/2” spacers behind my wheels and it took 99% away. I put my stock tires and wheels back on and the death wobble disappeared.

 

[calredneck]

Replace steering damper fixed mine

 

[73c20jim]

Replace steering damper fixed mine

I'll check it out.

On a roll with the 73 now.

 

[DoubleDingo]

Replace steering damper fixed mine

I'll have to give that a try on mine. I think mine is original 1991 vintage.