death wobble - on stock 97

[mag]

I've seen posts on the death wobble, but they have been on lifted jeeps. I just purchaced a stock 97 sport, with 50K on it. Where I live, there are some railroad crossings that cross our highway's, so at 65mph, I have noticed the wobble after hiting one of these. Is there anything that I can do about it? Would a new steering stabilizer help? I do plan on a lift, but that won't be for 6+ months yet. Thanks

[Seeker]

Yes steering stabalizer should solve the problem. My wife had the same problem when she bought her ZJ it would wobble like h*ll if you hit a pot hole, new stabalizer solved the problem.
Jeff

[XtremeXJ]

Steering Stabilizer on a 97 shouldnt be bad yet (no disrespect seeker) but yes it is worth a shot. Also a alignment or wheel off balance could be the source. Death Wobble usually happens around 45mph though and its bad enough to make you slam your brakes and jerk your XJ back onto the road. Good Luck XXJ

[eldiablo]

I have the same problem with my 97' cherokee which has a 3 inch lift. I noticed the problem before I got the lift and the lif made it worst. I've rotated the tires which would solve the wobble problems. I took it in to a shop and got the alignment done and it still wobbles. I can feel it resonating/wobbleing mildly at 45KMH, badly at 80KMH and mildly at 120. I was wondering about the driveshaft....maybe the u-joints? It's driving me nuts!

[mag]

I finally was able to get my old steering stabilizer out last night. Lot's of beating with a large hammer. Not the prefered way, but it worked. I installed Rusty's stabilizer, and what a huge difference. No more wobble at 65-70 when you hit bumps on the highway, the ride seems smoother, ect... Much better driving.

[XtremeXJ]

Glad to hear that mag. eldiablo might try the Stablizer like mag, worked for her. Good Luck!!

[eldiablo]

You would think eh.....i got one put in a 1.5 years ago. It shouldn't be bad yet eh? Only thing is I think the store did the old swapperroo on me. When they showed me the part I was sure it had a skyjacker sticker on it but when I got home ....no sticker.

Any recomendations on a replacment stabilizer.....something better than stock for 31inch tires.

[XtremeXJ]

Shouldnt be bad... but if they did pull a switch on you and you do need a new one I hear Rusty's is good but I dont know from personal experience. I am going to purchase his when I get some extra dough, like that will ever happen. Good Luck!!! XXJ

[mag]

I went with Rusty's, it seems to work good. I probably need an allingment, and shocks yet, (coming with lift in a month or so). Rusty's kit is nice. Real easy to install, as long as you can get the old one out. :)

[XtremeXJ]

Cool! I will probably ask how its doing later on down the road before I get mine. XXJ