My Jeep just tried to kill me!

fastfredracing · 05-29-2011, 03:25 PM

1997 Grand Cherokee, just turned 250k last week, old bastage still runs like a swiss watch.
I have heard this symptom described as the "Death Wobble" before, and I have replaced probably dozens upon dozens of track bars on customers Jeeps, but I have never experienced anything like this in a vehicle before in my life, and I test drive broken cars everyday .
I was running down to the local Lowes this afternoon with my kid on board, cruising along at 60, hit a small pothole and the jeep started shaking so violently , there was absoloutely nothing I could do to hang on to it. I have pretty damn strong arms/ hands, but it I simply could not hold on to the wheel. I was able to bring the speed down, and get it under control again, and limp it home. I got one small warning last week, when going over some rough road, and it was on my list to check it out. I had just replaced this track bar last August. The bushing completely disintegrated, and was allowing the front axle to move back and forth about 3/4"
Oh, and my kid ratted me out, as soon as we walked in the door "mommy, daddy's jeep is shaking. its broken".
One track bar, one half hour of my time, and all is well again. Hoping to make 300k!

DanielDudley · 05-29-2011, 04:03 PM

Glad you are OK. Sounds like it was bad,

lm6y · 05-29-2011, 04:06 PM

You should try it on a Cherokee on 35's going down the interstate. It really is one of those "Make you see God" kinda moments.

techweenie · techweenie's Garage

Did you use the $300 Jeep track bar or the $100 aftermarket track bar? I just put the latter in my '97 Sport after getting the "bang" on full lock left turns. Solved it completely. I've read about the death wobble. Sounds intimidating.

fastfredracing · 05-29-2011, 05:06 PM

This is the 3 rd track bar I have had on it in the last 70,00 miles, The one that failed yesterday, was actually a cheapie, aftermarket bar. I usually use MOOG . They are under $100.00., they look beefier than the factory bar, seem to last a long time, and are lifetime warratny. I went back to that one today.
This is really my shop beater Jeep, and I work the sheet out of it, it is always full of tools, parts, lumber , block, whatever. I drive through my yard all the time, and it is my lot tow vehicle, so it gets abused pretty well. I was feeling generous , and actually washed and vacumed/shoveled it out tonight.

Porsche-O-Phile · Porsche-O-Phile's Garage

In the motorcycle world an uncontrollable lock-to-lock shimmy is known as a "tank slapper". One of those will make you have to change your undies...

Glad it all worked out.

techweenie · techweenie's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by fastfredracing

This is the 3 rd track bar I have had on it in the last 70,00 miles, The one that failed yesterday, was actually a cheapie, aftermarket bar. I usually use MOOG . They are under $100.00., they look beefier than the factory bar, seem to last a long time, and are lifetime warratny. I went back to that one today.
This is really my shop beater Jeep, and I work the sheet out of it, it is always full of tools, parts, lumber , block, whatever. I drive through my yard all the time, and it is my lot tow vehicle, so it gets abused pretty well. I was feeling generous , and actually washed and vacumed/shoveled it out tonight.

Yeah, the bar I bought was Moog. I use my Jeep for everything where a 911 is unsuitable -- which is almost everything. And lately, as I put the Carrera back together after my shunt, the Jeep has been my only vehicle. Pretty much an anvil. And it meets the two requirements: it carries a bike inside and it carries a 911 long hood inside.