I bought a stock 2005 TJ Wrangler with aftermarket wheels and tires a couple of years ago. I've had the tires rotated and balanced several times, but continued to experience occasional shaking in the steering wheel and front end.
Over the last couple of months the shaking has progressed into violent episodes of what I've read described as the "Death Wobble". It happens after hitting bumps (just right) at around 40-50 mph. I can usually stop the shaking by braking to about 30 mph, some times I need to come to a complete stop.
Everything I've read and heard about TJs and Death Wobble has been on lifted rigs. My suspension is stock but the 15 X 8 wheels aren't. I am looking for a set of 31' tires before winter hits, but need to find out what is causing my front-end problems first.
Any suggestions for me?  

check theair pressure in the tires, ball joints, tie rod ends, drag link ends, wheel bearings, track bar bushing and joint. if ya dont' find a problem there look at/replace the puny  stock steering stabilizer shock with a aftermartket like rancho/skyjacker/rubicon express, they come with all the neccesary hardware and install with basic hand tools...... don't just put a stock replacement back on.  

many people have gotten a stabilzer installed and the wobble goes away... for a while, till the problem exceeds the stabilzer's ability to dampen it.


that's why we call it "the band-aid"  

Tire/wheel issues (Tires, tire pressure inbalance, tire balance), then worn track bar ball joint or bushing.

These are the most common contributors.

It gets worse and worse because the stabilizer wears more and more and can't arrest the movement.

The Rancho steering stabilizers have an unconditional warranty. Just take it back and they'll give you a new one. You should just buy one, because the stock one is wimpy. It will probably make the problem go away. But, if something else is out of spec, it will wear the stablizer out again. In the case of the Rancho, they'll give you a new one.

Now, I'm not saying put on a stabilizer and forget about. I'm saying put on a stabilizer and check all the other possible contributors. Sometimes, it can be very elusive.  

well said!  

Sorry I took so long to reply, I've been reading your blogs about suspension. I found that to be VERY informative. I appreciate that your 'functionality over vanity' approach.
I'd like to lift my TJ a bit, for more clearance (so I can keep up with my big brothers), but am concerned about doing anything while I still have the shaking problem. This is my preferred daily driver. Will lifting it exagerate the current problem or could I end up replacing problem equipment with heavier duty equipment? I'd like to do everything at once, if possible.
My brother (family Jeep expert) suggested I take it to a shop to replace the tie rods and have the caster adjusted. He has offered to work on it for me after I do those things. Caster is currently is at about 0 - needs to go up to around 5. Does that sound right to you guys?  

you can check the tie rod ends yer self right where it's parked. have someone turn the wheel back an forth a 1/4 turn in each direction and watch for slop in the tie rod/draglink joints and the track bar ends.

for the ball joints it can be noticeable  by sight from a camber problem. otherwise jack up the front tire off the ground, use a bar to pry up on the tire from underneath, you'll notice any horizontal movement in the knuckle.

if all checks out good get a new stabilizer on it. your problem will likely be gone.

yeah the caster should be about 5. and can cause some wobble.

a complete lift would eliminate all but the ball joints, tie rod ends, and drag link. in which case the big tires will amplify the problem, if the track bar or the tires are the cause it could fix the problem.  

My bro must already think there is a problem with the tie rod ends. He had me turning the wheel back and forth while he looked, so I don't know exactly what he saw.
If it's not obvious - this is not my area of expertise. I'm trying to learn so I don't have to rely so heavily on my family, especially now that I live 3 hours away from them! I'd like to at least sound like I know what I'm talking about when I take the Jeep into a shop.
Thanks for your help!  

ya if they are bad It's very easy to spot em moving around,  

I am sure you've already checked but I had a scenario that was similar.  What happened was the outer part of the tire was wore slightly irregular due to improper tire pressure and not rotating the tires often enough. Not to mention they were horrible goodyear gsa's from the factory.  

I've had my tires balanced and rotated regularly, sometimes that even made the problem worse!  

Yep, any slop im your steering/ball joints will cause "DEATH WOBBLE".  I've been contemplating on this, but here is a point that I have been thinking about.  Tires grow as your speed changes, not by much.  When tires are balanced, its only at one speed.  As you drive faster, the part of the tire thats heavier will grow more, throwing it out of balance.  I'm thinking that harmonics, in a sense will cause this.  Please, anyone, tyhink about this and let me know what you think.  I may be way out in left field here, or grasping at straws.  I agree with everyone that any play in the front suspension whatsoever is a great factor.  Maybe I'm thinking too far into this...  

yep, the tire can play a role in the wobble, i was running maxxis buckshots that would shake the crap out of ya, couldn't find anything wrong with any joints, these were 315x70-16's (35's) about 25% tread remaining. I got my 34" trXus, the problem went away completely.  

you know i have long been reading about Chrysler quality issues, they all seem to be very common. I own a vehicle that had defective parts. From what you are explaining it seems to be a typical problem with jeeps, Ive been reading about it every where. There is a video on youtube of a jeep cheroke that does goes crazy, the same way you describe. To make things even worse it happens on newer models under warranty. You should definitely check it out, Chrysler has a bad reputation for not fixing and refusing warranty. Mercedes had to separate after facing some major quality issues. There's a long list of problems from durangos with bad ball joints, intrepids with motors that fill up with sludge (and cant pass the 25k)
because they didnt think 5 quaurts was reasonable, and mostly all newer cars (300m to avenger) having the the rack and pinion system on the wrong place (and people totaling cars) so cars feel more sporty, And for jeeps the death wobble. There are more, but that would take a whole website. As far i know people having those problems haven't seen a solution. I dont think there is a solution for bad engineering.
DISCLOSURE: I have owned 2 Crysler cars and have only experienced problems on one. Absept for 12 bent valves and the cars were used. I loved the 1st and love the second one.  

my 07 jk 4 dr started the death wobble just under a year old.it was terrifying.it happened at all speeds but mostly around 60-80 kmh.itshook incredibly violently right up until stopped.i took it to the dealer i bought it from who asked me if i wanted him to wash the mud off the wheels so it didnt "vibrate".told him it was a little more than a vibration.they washed it. then changed the tie rod ends.then the stabilizer damper.and finally the stabilizer .it stopped but after reading this thread i will definatelly replace it with a heavy duty one.