Help! Front end wobble on '98 TJ

[gkucera]

For a while there has been some mild vibration on the highway in my '98
TJ. I figure its time for a balance and rotation. But immediately
following this I notice a pretty serious wobble at 55-60 mph. Not a
vibration, but a 5.6 on the Richter scale! The steering column starts
shaking. I go back to the tire shop and request a front end alignment,
particularly since I now notice both cupping and outside wear on the
tires. The good folks there say that I'd be waisting money on an
alignment when what I really need is a new damper and/or tie rods. Now
I'm a do-it-yourselfer. So here are my questions:

1) Are the tire guys right? How would they know if its a damper
problem, a tie rod problem or both?

2) How easy is it to replace a damper and/or tie rod? I've got the 'ol
Haynes manual as my trusty guide.

3) I'm sure that if I replaced either the damper or tie rods that an
alignment would be necessary. Would it be cheaper to have the tire guys
do it all or would I save money replacing the front end parts myself and
only having them do the alignment afterwards?

[jbjeep]

>>For a while there has been some mild vibration on the highway in my '98
>>TJ. I figure its time for a balance and rotation. But immediately
>>following this I notice a pretty serious wobble at 55-60 mph. Not a
>>vibration, but a 5.6 on the Richter scale! The steering column starts

This is called Death Wobble, its very common.

>>shaking. I go back to the tire shop and request a front end alignment,
>>particularly since I now notice both cupping and outside wear on the
>>tires. The good folks there say that I'd be waisting money on an
>>alignment when what I really need is a new damper and/or tie rods. Now
>>I'm a do-it-yourselfer. So here are my questions:
>>
>>1) Are the tire guys right? How would they know if its a damper
>>problem, a tie rod problem or both?

Maybe, but why didnt they tell you in the first place that you had a problem
starting? With that wear pattern they should have said something to you IMO.

>>2) How easy is it to replace a damper and/or tie rod? I've got the 'ol
>> Haynes manual as my trusty guide.

Both are pretty easy.

>>3) I'm sure that if I replaced either the damper or tie rods that an
>>alignment would be necessary. Would it be cheaper to have the tire guys
>>do it all or would I save money replacing the front end parts myself and
>>only having them do the alignment afterwards?

Save your $ and just have them align it. You can do the rest yourself.

However....while you are under there check all the ends of all your steering
components. I recently had mine replaced on my 98 and it made a world of difference
in the way it drove. You need a new tie rod only if your existing one is bent. If
it is, go with an aftermarket one. If you have a problem in the steering, a new
damper (steering stabilizer) will often hide the problem for a while.
-jenn

[L.W. Hughes III]

Because the shimmy is worse after the rotation, tells me that you
should never do business with the shop that sold you the tires, as they
got rid of an out of round tire and put it on your rear. Larger than
stock tires require a stronger stabilizer shock:
http://www.wanderingtrail.com/Buildup/monroe_steering_stabilzer.htm Or
maybe dual dampers:
http://www.bds-suspension.com/steeringstabilizer.html Next time get in
the habit of greasing your tie rod ends. Alignment:
http://www.cowtownjeeps.com/index.asp?url=/tech/align.htm
God Bless America, ßill O|||||||O
mailto:LWHug...@aol.com http://www.billhughes.com/

[IsellJeeps]

you need new tires... this will cure the problem

"gkucera" <gku...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
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