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[SOLVED] Getting Mini Deathwobble at speed

RainbowStix

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SOLUTION:
Check your lug nuts if you’re running aftermarket wheels! Ensure they’re torqued evenly and not overtorqued. See post below.


Started to get some Jeep-like behavior recently. When getting up to ~60mph, it does still track relatively straight, but the steering wheel begins to jitter and shake like there’s a solid axle underneath. In terms of aftermarket components in the IFS, im running the following:

Broncbuster tie rod brace
Broncbuster steering rack bushing
Icon 3” spacer on stock Non-sas non-BL shocks
37 wildpeaks on black rhino beadlocks

I’ve attached a couple videos of it happening and some alignment specs. The paper with 2.1/2.8 caster was before I got the Camburg UCAs with no deathwobble present. I installed the camburg UCAs to get a higher caster to be more in spec on the alignment and clear the fender liner rub. The other sheet with a 3.7/4.8 caster is my current alignment specs.

Its been a few hundred miles since that UCA and other parts install detailed above and now I’ve got a mini death wobble.

Anybody have ideas on what’s causing/fix?

my first thought was the caster being too low, so I went to see if I could get it higher. However, alignment shop said the caster was already close to safely max’d

Current alignment spec as of today (i did have near this same alignment spec for about a month before the death wobble started):
Ford Bronco [SOLVED] Getting Mini Deathwobble at speed 4830436B-1B5D-4237-89C3-1DA826B21EFC

last Alignment spec from February (when it was basically factory new with the 3” spacer lift, no wobble):
Ford Bronco [SOLVED] Getting Mini Deathwobble at speed E1B5BAEC-09EF-43FF-B944-42F66AE1E5A8
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RainbowStix

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I also have this on a stock big bend
Interesting, I thought for sure it was a lifted/modified vehicle thing. Can pretty much guarantee thats how the dealership will see it if I take it in.
 

Saltlife4shore

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I don't think it has any thing to do with your lift setup. What size engine do you have? Rpm's are low, and your truck is prob kicking into 9th or 10th gear. Any chance your having turbo issues. I say this because I experience the same thing, sometimes even harsher shake in the wheel when my turbo isn't working correctly.

This is when I know I'm having turbo issues.
 
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Mattwings

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Have you had the tires re-balanced? It seems obvious Ford will struggle with warranty work on a problem likely tied to the lift or bushing replacement in the rack. For the BB owner, take it to the dealer.
 

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drew707

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This sounds just like steering nibble. Kind of common especially on EPAS steering. Your caster does appear to be at and above the upper limit of the Sasquatch spec (3.18° +- 0.6) so I think it’s extra nibble induced from that. The software in the EPAS has a nibble control feature however it’s designed around stock systems and I’m sure gets a little more hard to control with a modified suspension/tire size like that.
 

Dubsesd

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Are you in 4A when it’s happening? I have a 3” lift and I get a vibration under acceleration only on 4A.
 

PWillette

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Started to get some Jeep-like behavior from the Bronco recently. When getting up to ~60mph, it does still track relatively straight, but the steering wheel begins to jitter and shake like there’s a solid axle underneath. In terms of aftermarket components in the IFS, im running the following:

Broncbuster tie rod brace
Broncbuster steering rack bushing
Icon 3” spacer on stock Non-sas non-BL shocks
37 wildpeaks

I’ve attached a couple videos of it happening and some alignment specs. The paper with 2.1/2.8 caster was before I got the Camburg UCAs with no deathwobble present. I installed the camburg UCAs to get a higher caster to be more in spec on the alignment and clear the fender liner rub. The other sheet with a 3.7/4.8 caster is my current alignment specs.

Its been a few hundred miles since that UCA and other parts install detailed above and now I’ve got a mini death wobble.

Anybody have ideas on what’s causing/fix?

my first thought was the caster being too low, so I went to see if I could get it higher. However, alignment shop said the caster was already close to safely max’d

Current alignment spec as of today (i did have near this same alignment spec for about a month before the death wobble started):
Ford Bronco [SOLVED] Getting Mini Deathwobble at speed E1B5BAEC-09EF-43FF-B944-42F66AE1E5A8

last Alignment spec from February (when it was basically factory new with the 3” spacer lift, no wobble):
Ford Bronco [SOLVED] Getting Mini Deathwobble at speed E1B5BAEC-09EF-43FF-B944-42F66AE1E5A8
How long have you been running the 37s? "E" rated tire I presume? Not uncommon for larger tires to be a PIA to get balanced.
 

Bschurr

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If your alignment is OK, have your tires ROAD FORCE BALANCED and the vibration will be gone.
 

JT58Bronc

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I second the tires out of balance. Not all shops can balance tires properly. Depends on the technician's experience and quality of the machine used. The bigger the tire, the more of a chance it's going to need more weights and could be harder to balance. Also tires could be out of round or wheel bent. A lot of weights can take care of this.

I ordered brand new 31 X 10.50 tires for my 97 Wrangler 2 years ago from Tire Rack. Had them mounted and balanced at a local tire shop. They did a great job but some of the wheels needed a lot of weights for the balance to come in- and they used an experienced tech to do the final dial in and install of the weights. No vibration or wobble at all.
 

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GaryB2220

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(Zips up rain poncho and slides on goggles) just put balancing beads in your wheels. just make sure there is enough of them in there. Balance issue at speed = solved
 

NC_Pinz

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(Zips up rain poncho and slides on goggles) just put balancing beads in your wheels. just make sure there is enough of them in there. Balance issue at speed = solved
Not sure what the first part of the post references, but I've used balancing beads for tire/wheel combos that could not be balanced any other way due to compatibility with the equipment. Worked fine.

For a normal DD, I'd still rather get a traditional balance with weights. Otherwise you live with the low speed unbalanced vibration you get with balancing beads every time you take off.
 

Compta38

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Issues like this is exactly why I opted for Sasquatch instead of diy lifting...too many variables and potential warranty problems. If a stock vehicle does this just dump in dealers lap and say "fix it".
 

JohnnyBronco

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Not sure what the first part of the post references, but I've used balancing beads for tire/wheel combos that could not be balanced any other way due to compatibility with the equipment. Worked fine.

For a normal DD, I'd still rather get a traditional balance with weights. Otherwise you live with the low speed unbalanced vibration you get with balancing beads every time you take off.
Low speed death wobble is preferable to high speed death wobble. But even the dreaded Jeep wobble is or was not all that dangerous, just annoying. Premature tire wear but wobble alone won't cause a crash. I had two Cherokees last century and only the second one ever developed wobble, Cured it when I pulled the engine and replaced the leading link bushings while standing in the empty engine bay
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