desertred
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Along the Wet Mountains, CO
Heard about it, but never experienced until today.
I have an 88 manual XJ with 216,000 miles. I have never had any issues with any type of wobble or vibration in the past. I had just turned onto an interstate on ramp and was accelerating when at about 50 mph, a violent and loud wobble transmitted through the steering shaft. The entire XJ shook violently and I immediately pulled the vehicle over. My passenger was shouting "What was that!?!" I sat for about 20 seconds and got back on the interstate (at speed) and drove back home without issue and switched vehicles. But for those 10-15 seconds it took to get the car off the road, I was scared to death. There was literally no warning signs or indication of my impending dilemma.
I have had vehicles with out of balanced tires before. This was NOTHING like a balance issue. A quick search looks like death wobble could be caused by most any suspension and/or steering component under the car. Other than tires, is there a common culprit as to the cause of death wobble? At this point, I'm figuring that ball joints, tie rod ends, bushings are all suspect. Any help will be appreciated. TIA.
I have an 88 manual XJ with 216,000 miles. I have never had any issues with any type of wobble or vibration in the past. I had just turned onto an interstate on ramp and was accelerating when at about 50 mph, a violent and loud wobble transmitted through the steering shaft. The entire XJ shook violently and I immediately pulled the vehicle over. My passenger was shouting "What was that!?!" I sat for about 20 seconds and got back on the interstate (at speed) and drove back home without issue and switched vehicles. But for those 10-15 seconds it took to get the car off the road, I was scared to death. There was literally no warning signs or indication of my impending dilemma.
I have had vehicles with out of balanced tires before. This was NOTHING like a balance issue. A quick search looks like death wobble could be caused by most any suspension and/or steering component under the car. Other than tires, is there a common culprit as to the cause of death wobble? At this point, I'm figuring that ball joints, tie rod ends, bushings are all suspect. Any help will be appreciated. TIA.