How to Fix Death Wobble. (Violent Steering Shake)

In this video I show you how to fix "death wobble" or violent steering shake (oscillations). A proper fix for death wobble requires a thorough inspection of your front suspension and steering systems. Something as simple as 1 worn out bushing or just a bad alignment can cause a death wobble. A death wobble can affect any vehicle with a solid front axle (Jeeps, HD Ram Trucks and HD Ford Trucks.) Regardless of the vehicle the fix for death wobble is the same. Replace the worn components and get the vehicle aligned correctly. A new steering dampener will only mask the issue for a sort period of time.

A lot of shops want to rebuild the entire front suspension of the vehicle to get rid of death wobble. That isn't always necessary on a vehicle with lower mileage. For example a lot of videos will tell you to replace all of the ball joints because they have play in them. Jeep has a specification for ball joint play and it isn't zero. It's actually about 1.5mm of vertical play. So just because something moves when you pry on it doesn't mean it's the root cause of your issue. You may have multiple factors at play.

Here are the parts tools and parts that I installed on this Jeep JK to fix the death wobble:
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#jeep #deathwobble #itsajeepthing
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[RepairGeek]

Here are the parts tools and parts that I installed on this Jeep JK to fix the death wobble:
Help support the channel, buy using my Amazon links
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases and your cost is exactly the same.

[GaryMarshall-dq]

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you. Finally somebody makes an indepth, logical explanation of, how and why this occurs, instead of the hunt and search method of trying to fix this issue. Can't fix myself, but now know the questions to ask. Much appreciated.

[mikecostello]

2.5 inch lift will not decrease caster enough to cause death wobble by itself. That being said, you did an amazing job articulating multiple causes of DW which most Jeepers misunderstand. Bad bushings and reduced caster is a good diagnosis and customer should be happy for a while. Great video!

[psd]

Great explanation on the effects of caster. Many people notice the worn suspension components and believe these are what's causing the "death wobble", or add additional steering stabilizers. These worn components are the resulting damage, or symptom, caused by the death wobble. After replacing these worn components, the death wobble will return with time if the caster isn't properly adjusted.

[rog]

This video should be the top result when looking up death wobble -great detail and top notch explanations.

[damienanderson]

At last! A thorough explanation and demonstration of what causes death wobble. Well done, keep up the fine work!

[JUNJUN]

Thanks...clears alot. Death wobble is the worst thing I've experienced in any car I've driven or fixed.

[lancelot]

I know this video is a couple of years old, but that is the best way I have seen to explain caster.

[machineman]

Got to be one of the best explanations of something with multiple causes. I don’t own a Jeep but the logic behind “don’t lift your daily driver” still applies. Thank you for making this.

[WT-Sherman]

Ford offered a free fix . You just had to claim you experienced a vibration.
I took it - thank you very much.

[bigkk]

I learned more watching your video in a couple minutes than anyone could ever explain to me and I am 58. My truck did the wobble 2 weeks ago and now dis it again 3 weeks ago and I can’t see anything yet I suspect suspension or wheel alignment issue. Truck has 105, 000 miles on the original suspension. Not hard on it but I suspect all my ball joints are pretty shot and my bushings dry rotted. The truck is a 2017 Nissan Titan. I will be checking over the suspension tonight thanks

[ribbs]

I have the dreaded death wobble right now in my 09 JK. Like many others I have ordered a dual stabilizer kit. But before I install it I am going to take a couple turns out of my upper control arms. To see if that makes it any better. Thanks for the great tips and the great explanation!

[kingpin]

I’ve always heard and knew it mostly being an issue with cheap bushings installed by the manufacturer (depending on the year and mileage). It was a great detail on issues with caster angle, which I would have never thought of. That will definitely prepare me for if I choose to purchase a lifted Wrangler.

[richardseitz]

Great advice! It's definitely a case by case issue when diagnosing what's causing death wobble. Thanks for a great video!

[herewegofans]

7:44 You nailed the root of the issue. Perfect statement to summarize the issue and how to correct. Best part, driver will save $$$ with that wisdom. So many issues caused by tacticool 3rd party parts when owners fail to purchase all the needed parts to correctly install. Pay now or pay later. Only comment to your statement is even not a daily driver should get the arms to correct angles and take to driveshaft shop to get it sized for height. If that sounds expensive, see how you feel after exiting a technical angle on trail and you lose u joint, snap front shaft or snap a CV. All preventable. Buy right, built right. Awesome video.

[toonamife]

If I ever get Death Wobble it's around 35-40 mph. But honestly you've helped me plenty by " rebuild front suspension".

[JRWJK]

Excellent video! Thank you for taking the time for such a great explanation. In my case I've experienced it on 4 different Jeeps (XJ, ZJ, WJ and JKU) and like you said, it is a case-by-case fix depending what is worn out and geometry. The WJ was the worse. It was lifted 4" and had adjustable-everything (control arms, track bar, etc.) so caster was within specs. I added a bunch of parts like track back reinforcement, a front axle "equilizer", replaced everything except the ball-joints and the DW always come back after 500 to 1000 miles. I finally gave up and traded it for a JKU.

[RileyMcCloud]

That's pretty amazing... I've got a 2014 JKU with a 4.5 inch lift on 37s. If my steering wheel is off even the slightest, it goes into limp mode almost immediately. Amazing watching you drive down the road that fast with no issues.

I agree with you, it was most likely the control arm and track bar bushings. I believe track bar is the culprit most of the time, but you do need to check everything.

One thing I operate off is, like you said, the steering stabilizer does not fix death wobble. It's might stop it, but it's only masking the problem, until that stabilizer can't handle it anymore. I like to test drive any jeep without a steering stabilizer on. That's the only way you truly know if you found the problem, or just masked it. When it drives good without a steering stabilizer, then go ahead and add one.

[rangerh]

If the lift is done right there is no problem lifting your dally driver. Also badly worn tires or uneven worn tires can cause death wobble with no other problems present.

[dlaws]

10 years ago I bought a used 2009 JK. It had the death wobble. After doing a little research, the dealership replaced the original wimpy steering stabilizer with a new, updated, much more serious OEM stabilizer. That was 150k miles ago with no sign of a wobble. The new stabilizer absolutely cured it. The suspension in this video has been lifted and then all bets are off...