Most experienced Off-Roaders are familier with the notorious "Death Wobble" and have experienced it. Well, I've been driving my heap for some 11 years now, but only started off roading and jeep modifications in the spring of 2009. I've broken alot of things underneath, but never had the infamous DW.
About a month ago, driving home from a NH run, I hit some rough pavement. I was only going about 45 mph. ( I don't exceed 55, with the 4.88 gears anyway). Well, all of a sudden, the front end of my heap started vibratng, wheels hopping, more and more violently, like an unstable system ready to explode! It got so bad, in the matter of a few seconds, that I thought my jeep was going crack into pieces! Wow! What an experience. Hitting the breaks and turning was the only way to stop it. It had been occurring up until today, however, I've learned to sense when it is going to start and prevent it for the most part.
Well, in the course of the past few weeks, Ive become very familier with Death Wobble, reading forums and talking to folks. Rotated the tires... no help. Then got a front end alignment..no help. But the alignment guy told me I had an oblong hole in the lower track bar mount. I took the bolt out and, sure enough, it was oblong.
Another view. Pay no attention to my sway bar just about to come loose. I didn't notice it til I saw it in the picture. It must have just happened.
The day the death wobble started, and it did just all of a sudden start ( no progressive gradual thing over a week or something), I do remember banging my front axle and control arms on rocks a few time.
Well, today my mechanic welded a grade 8 washer over the oblong hole, and much to my amazement (and joy), the Death Wobble was gone! Rides like it should after a wheel balance and alignment!
Nice write up though! thanks for posting. 