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Post by greenbean on Sept 9, 2007 13:14:32 GMT -5
All, This is a build-up/need help post, so bear with me. I put the spacer lift on a while back along with adjustale front and rear track bar, JKS quick Disco's stock control arms, stock shocks, stock wheels and "original tires" Prior to the lift I had a real good wheel shimmy which I assumed was due to the need to balance and rotate and waer due to improper rotation. Anyway I had used the Dynabead media on the 98TJ which was fantastic, so I thought I would give the Centramatics a try as someone on the boards recommended them. So below you can see my install of the centramatics which was simple....no drama there. But I still have a death wobble at about the 45-50 mph range. I have also played with my toe quite a bit but have a hard time getting an accurate measurement doing it in my garage. Also does anyone know if using the centramatics if I should pull off the lead weights on the wheels or leave them? The one advantage I see with the Dynabead method is it actually balances the outermost portion of the tire vice a combination hub/tire with the centramatics. Any advice is appreciated!! Will  Pull the wheel off, remove the clips for the rotors.(Will interfere with the centramatic)   Slide the centramatic on, re-install the wheel, thats it! Easy day. |
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Post by N2Rocks on Sept 9, 2007 15:47:56 GMT -5
If the lead weights were in the right spots, you should be able to leave them on. If they've been moved it'd be best to remove them. You could mark where they are and remove them to see if they were a factor. You can even rotate them f/r to check. If a tire has a lot of lateral imbalance dyna beads or the centramatics won't be able to couter it. If any of your wheels had significant weights directly opposite on the inside and outside it could be from lateral imbalance.
Death wobble can be caused by the tires and they can be swapped to prove or disprove. Other common causes are ball joints, track bar bushings, tie rod ends, or a worn out steering stabilizer.
I have some stocker wheels and tires you could borrow to try if needed.
Don
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Post by greenbean on Sept 9, 2007 15:52:35 GMT -5
Don,
Thanks for the suggestions, I think a couple of things need to be done, 1. swap tires possibly front to back and see if that helps. 2. Get new fronts if #1 doesn't work because all 4 tires are pretty unevenly worn. 3. Get a good alignment. 4. new steering stabilzer. Do you think front upper adjustables will help at all?
Will
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Post by N2Rocks on Sept 9, 2007 16:11:00 GMT -5
Adjustable front uppers are great for adjusting caster. Lifted TJ's commonly have little caster angle. Dealerships typically worry more about front pinion angle (due to CV driveshaft) than the caster angle. Signs of too little positve caster: If your steering is very responisve and steers with little effort but doesn't self-center too well. Adjustable uppers allow tilting the front axle rearward for more positive caster. Off-set ball joints are commonly used to help too.
Garage toe: Usually about 1/8-1/4" shorter in front than the rear of the front tires is real close.
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Post by dfurman on Oct 3, 2007 21:59:03 GMT -5
I just put a set of centramatics on my 04 F-350 today and noticed a huge difference above 60mph esp. at 80. I have 33" Swampers on my truck and Merchants here in town could not balance them out with weights. Now i feel nothing up to 80. Didnt try to go over that. Sounds like their might be another problem there.
Doug
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Post by Chuck on Oct 4, 2007 10:38:18 GMT -5
I'd check the steering, ball joints, and track bar first, since that's quick, free, and doesn't require anything but a helper. You said your track bar was new, but didn't mention the rest.
The most reliable method to check any of the above is to lay under the front of the vehicle and have your helper wiggle the wheel back and forth. You want a good firm push of the wheel, but not enough to actually turn the tire. You basically want to work the steering and joints. Have them keep doing this while you closely watch all the joints. Any relative movement (slop) other than just rotation in a joint is enough to cause your death wobble.
Bad front unit bearings are also a possibility. And a common one. I hate unit bearings.
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Post by bensredyj on Oct 4, 2007 11:03:30 GMT -5
TRAC BAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Post by Deleted on Oct 4, 2007 12:44:46 GMT -5
I put some Centramatics on before I left for the annual. I hated them, I stopped at the rest stop half way and took them all off and returned them for a refund. They will not cure a shimmy, only vibrations, and I"m not really sure they do that well, if at all. You really need to do what Chuck said and let us know what you find. Also check the ball joints by raising the tires just off the ground and see if there's any wiggle top to bottom. Check the track bar again, the mounting bolts routinely need to be tightened up. Oh, and Will if you want to try out a new stabilizer I have one sitting on the workbench. You can try it out and see before you go buy one. But honestly, I wouldn't use a stabilizer to mask a problem, I can go down the road at 80 without one all day. I really don't even need one on there. But I've also replaced everything on my front end except for the unit bearings.
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