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View Full Version : Yet another Death Wobble Problem...Desperate.

korisu56
12-08-2007, 02:38 AM
I read the only two "Death Wobble" threads that came up when I searched, and they both said balancing, aligning, steering stabilizer, and pitman arm help tremendously. Tracking.

My question for everyone: How often does it happen to people, and at what intensity? 1 being slight shimmy and 10 being "I'm going to die"

Reason: I went and finally got my tires aligned today, and the guy said my ball joints were bad. I never had a problem steering EVER before this, so I just said I'd get around to it(not knowing their importance). I get 150 yards away from the shop and the Jeep's front end feels like it's tearing itself off. I spent all afternoon and evening replacing the bad joints on the right side, and it's still doing it, though not as much. I have a dropped pitman arm, but I can't get the stock one off to save my life (broken two pullers and tried heating). I really need some help on this one guys, as I'm stumped. The left front wheel has minor play, but the ball joints are good.

Any and all opinions/assistance is appreciated greatly. I nearly soiled myself a few times today.
SPEEDY
12-08-2007, 03:27 AM
Dont worry Chris, Ill be out tomorrow........
02tj
12-08-2007, 04:28 AM
uh........... run chris!
miljeep
12-08-2007, 05:57 AM
I cannot remember how exactly the pitman arm looked, but I can run to homedepot and try to grab a cobalt drill it and maybe we can drill a hole through the center of where it slides in and then stick something in there to stick in there and try to use it as some sort of leverage to pull it out.

If we can drill it, and you do have the replacement, I don't see why we cannot try it.

It is a little after midnight and I just woke up (long day at work moving to our new office which required a good nap afterwards), so I don't know exactly when I will be up, but I can try to get to the garage or to your house if you need some extra hands. I have a drill and can stop by homedepot on the way there if needed.

Shoot a PM and I will try to make it. If it is at your house, I will need you to just give me the address in the PM so I can plug it into my GPS.

Sorry to hear that you are still having problems with your jeep. I wish I knew more, but I only know what I have learned at wrenching parties.....and as it turns out I have been learning the most from your jeep :)
02tj
12-08-2007, 06:35 AM
Hey Ryan, You dont want to drill a hole in the pitman arm shaft. Youll mess it up.
02tj
12-08-2007, 06:40 AM
A good torch and a good puller not a cast sears (craftsman) your gonna need like a mac, snap-on, cornwell type removal tool. heat the pitman arm not the shaft to get it to expand. then use the removal tool ... tighten and smack the threaded shaft of the tool with a18oz hammer or bigger, and tighten it again, repeat till it pops off. It will take a little time doing this but it will work.
miljeep
12-08-2007, 07:13 AM
Hey Ryan, You dont want to drill a hole in the pitman arm shaft. Youll mess it up.

Thanks. I just know he tried like heck to get it off last weekend. We did the hit, tighten, hit, tighten hit, thing and no progress. We even had one of the guys that works in the auto shop give it a shot and nothing.

Are all pitman arm pullers the same? I may go try to buy one tomorrow since I will probably need one sometime down the road anyway...especially when the lift finally comes in.
02tj
12-08-2007, 10:58 AM
I have a snap on puller at work. the craftsman one dosent even compare to it.
korisu56
12-08-2007, 01:57 PM
Well, crappy news is that I think I left the pitman arm at the shop where I got my alignment. I have an idea on how to get the old one off. I'm going to cut a little piece off of it on each side attached to the steering box, then it should fall off. I'm going to the shop today, again, so I can take a shot at this, again, and try and solve it asap, again. I'll keep everyone posted.
Gonzowerke
12-08-2007, 03:47 PM
Just cut a slot MOST OF THE WAY THROUGH, not all, in the side of the pitman.
Wack it with a chisel and a BFH and it will drop right off.
02tj
12-08-2007, 07:16 PM
hey! where did you get that idea gonzo?.................... lol
H2_RECOVERY
12-08-2007, 09:35 PM
ME!!!!!!!!!!! MOST DEATH WOBBLES are caused by the front track bar bolt loose on the bottom where it bolts to the diff or the joint at the top is bad.
korisu56
12-09-2007, 01:14 AM
Progress Report:

-Right side ball joints replaced
-Left side ball joints replaced
-The left side where the u-joint goes(don't know the name of it) was bent, so I'm getting another axle shaft(weeee).
-New steering stabilizer installed

So the Heep is still on jack stands at the Ft. Belvoir Auto Shop, and I'll be back in tomorrow after picking up the shaft. Hopefully all this work will fix the problem.

THANK YOU'S go to Brad and Ryan. Tons of gratitude to your way, boys. Thanks alot.
SPEEDY
12-09-2007, 01:16 AM
Progress Report:

-Right side ball joints replaced
-Left side ball joints replaced
-The left side where the u-joint goes(don't know the name of it) was bent, so I'm getting another axle shaft(weeee).
-New steering stabilizer installed

So the Heep is still on jack stands at the Ft. Belvoir Auto Shop, and I'll be back in tomorrow after picking up the shaft. Hopefully all this work will fix the problem.

THANK YOU'S go to Brad and Ryan. Tons of gratitude to your way, boys. Thanks alot.

Anytime Brother. I owe many hours of wrenching hours to repay all the help many people in this club and the other club have given me.

Dont forget to try to move those rear tires to the front and vice versa.
korisu56
12-09-2007, 01:33 AM
Dont forget to try to move those rear tires to the front and vice versa.

Done.
miljeep
12-09-2007, 01:58 AM
today just proved that I am good at watching others do the real work.
SPEEDY
12-09-2007, 02:07 AM
today just proved that I am good at watching others do the real work.

LOL


Hey man dont sweat it. The important thing about watching is if you learn and retain the info and ask alot of questions. Im still learning more everyday. Look at the guy today who didnt know about the seat tumble lever in his Jeep. All this time he was lifting his 2 year old over the seat after he flipped the seat forward.
korisu56
12-09-2007, 02:13 AM
today just proved that I am good at watching others do the real work.

Once you lost your vice-grips, you lost your purpose..... :grin:
CarrieinVa
12-09-2007, 12:36 PM
DO NOT HIT THE BOX WITH A HAMMER you will ruin it in hte long run!!!!!!!
As for a DPA its not likely gonna fix it.
Im with H2 trac bar or improper alignment...
korisu56
12-09-2007, 01:07 PM
The alignment was done friday, happening again on Monday after we finish replacing all these parts. We're gonna crank everything down when we're done today, and I'll repost progress.
korisu56
12-09-2007, 01:08 PM
ME!!!!!!!!!!! MOST DEATH WOBBLES are caused by the front track bar bolt loose on the bottom where it bolts to the diff or the joint at the top is bad.

I don't think the joint at the top could be bad. It's only a few weeks old, so I'll check the bottom when I get there.
CarrieinVa
12-09-2007, 04:43 PM
that bent shaft might have something to do with it too...Balll joints as well
Ill go through to say that you have cheked all is tight too right?
We are running a similar lift with ADJ tracbar and stock pitman arm. Little to now shimmy(it depends on tirese we run)..
miljeep
12-09-2007, 06:58 PM
Job done. I will let him post the info about what was done. Thanks speedy for helping out down here and also 02TJ for providing the needed part. I have said it before and I will say it again, you are all great people.
korisu56
12-09-2007, 07:52 PM
Ditto on what miljeep said about you guys. Amazing.

At any rate, all said and done, all ball joints were replaced and the driver side spline on the front axle was replaced. Everything was tightened then retightened. I didn't realize how bad everything was until I tried to drive it again. Not a single shimmy or shake. The steering wheel felt tight with zero play. A lot of frustration later, my jeep's operational again.

Thanks to miljeep for picking me up and driving me out to 02tj's for the part, and thank you for the part 02tj. Thanks to speedy for coming out saturday and lending an experienced hand. Thanks alot guys, and I can't wait to get out there and meet more and wheel some with you.
02tj
12-10-2007, 03:40 AM
Glad that I could help ya out brother!!
SPEEDY
12-10-2007, 01:19 PM
Glad that I could help ya out brother!!

I knew calling another Army Guy would be a good choice..........lol

Hey Chris how many stitches did the Wifey give you?

1-5 Id say it was worth it, but any more than that..............lol
korisu56
12-10-2007, 06:53 PM
Glad that I could help ya out brother!!

I knew calling another Army Guy would be a good choice..........lol

Hey Chris how many stitches did the Wifey give you?

1-5 Id say it was worth it, but any more than that..............lol

Hah. Day 1 after the fact report:

All is well. It's driving like a champ, and since replacing and tightening down everything I have total control and I can feel a HUGE difference. I can't believe how much little things effect the "big picture".