Track Rod kit - universally out of stock?
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TReK
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 3,167
Likes: 87
Not trying to pick a fight here, but just because all the vibrations went away when you put on a new damper doesn't mean that there wasn't another problem it was covering up.
Like I said, just saying.
And I've run plenty of modern 4x4s without a damper. Driving without a steering damper does not cause a death wobble.
Like I said, just saying.
And I've run plenty of modern 4x4s without a damper. Driving without a steering damper does not cause a death wobble.
Chrysler acknowledges Jeep "death wobble" in technical service bulletin | abc7news.com
Meanwhile this article suggests that a worn steering damper can cause the death wobble among many other parts:
Responding To Pressure, Chrysler Posts Advice On 'Jeep Death Wobble'
A worn steering damper is not the sole cause but is a factor worth investigating if you have a vibration within the steering system. That was my main point here. Obviously many other things can cause your vehicle to wobble as mentioned in both articles. They even suggested that lift kits and off-road mods can trigger a wobble. Again Im only saying that a worn steering damper could potentially cause your vehicle to vibrate and wear out other steering components if not addressed. Regarding my former Jeep. Maybe replaceing the damper fixed the problem, maybe it did not. But the ride comfort greatly improved after I replaced it and the vibrations went away completely. What I can say is that I had 2 different shops perform a state inspection of the Jeep and no steering components appeared to be worn. Everything but the leaking gas tank passed
which is why I had it re-inspected in the first place.
Mudding
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 246
Likes: 0
From: Rocklin,CA
From my personal experience, the steering dampener on our trucks do make a big difference. When my was out, there would be a nasty vibration when going over bumps at freeway speeds. Every other component on the front end is in excellent shape. I replaced my Bilstein dampener with a TF shock and it was day at night. I am also running 265-75-16 Duratracs on stock 16" wheels.
Super Moderator
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 16,322
Likes: 88
From: Savannah Georgia
Amen. I had "discovered" my first encounter with the death wobble at 60 mph braking to exit on a sharp expressway curved exit. Needed to change my Depends. Put a new damper on, and some better, but really just covered up. Still had more repairs to do. If you think it is the damper just un-bolt it and test drive.
Baja
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 5,232
Likes: 52
From: Georgia, USA
It's never the damper.
The no-damper test drive is to just to verify that you've completed all the actual repairs needed. Or to verify that your damper is in fact masking the real problems.
To be clear, the damper helps prevent the steering wheel from jerking a lot when you hit something like a pothole. But if you then enter the death wobble condition, you have steering issues, not damper issue.
The no-damper test drive is to just to verify that you've completed all the actual repairs needed. Or to verify that your damper is in fact masking the real problems.
To be clear, the damper helps prevent the steering wheel from jerking a lot when you hit something like a pothole. But if you then enter the death wobble condition, you have steering issues, not damper issue.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
From: Holland Landing, ON, Canada
I think the steering damper just adds a bit a smoothness to the D2. Before I changed mine out, the wheels grabbed at ruts and the truck would want to follow them more. I did have a mechanic check over all my steering and suspension after I did my 2" lift and all was good. Remember this truck was marketed to city slickers as a moderately luxury vehicle.
Super Moderator
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 5,847
Likes: 106
From: Arkansas
No, that's my point. Old school solid axle vehicles with conventional worm gear style steering boxes HAVEN'T come a long way. And most street driven cars don't have steering dampeners.
I will say that in my Defender, without power steering, I've had the wheel nearly ripped free from my hands while driving over something silly like an exposed root of a tree I was parking next to. If I didn't have the dampener, it's possible that it would have hurt me, because I wasn't expecting it.
I will say that in my Defender, without power steering, I've had the wheel nearly ripped free from my hands while driving over something silly like an exposed root of a tree I was parking next to. If I didn't have the dampener, it's possible that it would have hurt me, because I wasn't expecting it.
Last edited by jafir; Apr 5, 2013 at 04:28 PM. Reason: typo
Pro Wrench
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 1,462
Likes: 32
From: Duxbury MA
It's never the damper.
The no-damper test drive is to just to verify that you've completed all the actual repairs needed. Or to verify that your damper is in fact masking the real problems.
To be clear, the damper helps prevent the steering wheel from jerking a lot when you hit something like a pothole. But if you then enter the death wobble condition, you have steering issues, not damper issue.
The no-damper test drive is to just to verify that you've completed all the actual repairs needed. Or to verify that your damper is in fact masking the real problems.
To be clear, the damper helps prevent the steering wheel from jerking a lot when you hit something like a pothole. But if you then enter the death wobble condition, you have steering issues, not damper issue.
