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'98 Jeep Wrangler - handles like sh|t now....help

O

o9z

Senior member
I have a '98 Jeep Wrangler that I bought new in 98. It has been a reliable vehicle and still is for the most part. About 6 months ago, it has been handling like crap though. When I pass someone and move back into the right lane, I feel like I am going to go into a fish tail. If I am driving 70+ it also does this and I have to slow down to let it catch its' balance 🙂 I figured it was the tires since they were getting worn, but with brand new tires it still does this.

Anyone have a clue as to what might cause it? I am as mechanically inclined as a peanut, so any info is better than what I can offer.
 
Check out your front sway bar. Those links are fairly weak and I have busted them before.

EDIT: Does it just start swerving, or is it actually shaking?
 
only happens when I go too fast or make sudden turns. If I turn sharp, I have to overcorrect to save myself from rolling into the ditch 🙂
 
Definately sounds like your sway bar then. That's what min felt like when it was disconnected. Turn one wheel so you look back there and check out this.

That bent black bar is your sway bar, it connects both wheels together and to the frame to stop wallowing. The silver thing connected to it won't be silver for you, but that is probably what is broken.
 
it could also be ball joints getting tight and binding, if you turn a corner will it come back to center on its own or do you have to steer it back.....jeeps are known for this, many times it is mistakenly diagnosed as fishtailing, or wandering at higher speeds....seen it many times in my shop...
 
I was looking at it, and the bottom of the bar that popped out appears to be a "ball" that fits in the other part. It looks like it just popped out..nothing broke. How hard of a fix would this be?
 
Originally posted by: allanon1965
it could also be ball joints getting tight and binding, if you turn a corner will it come back to center on its own or do you have to steer it back.....jeeps are known for this, many times it is mistakenly diagnosed as fishtailing, or wandering at higher speeds....seen it many times in my shop...
Click to expand...

99% of the time a bad ball joint in a solid front axle Jeep is accompanied by death wobble, that's why I asked if it is shaking.
 
Originally posted by: o9z
I was looking at it, and the bottom of the bar that popped out appears to be a "ball" that fits in the other part. It looks like it just popped out..nothing broke. How hard of a fix would this be?
Click to expand...

Hey, I do consider myself to be a Jeep expert 😛

Anyways, I'd replace both sides with new. With that kind of rust (winter salt?) one is eventually going to snap. Be warned, those bolts can be very difficult to remove after years of rusting. The sway bar links themselves are faily cheap. $30 for the pair at the dealer would be my guess. You could probably find some free on jeepsunlimited.com if you ask in Wanted forum.

IIRC, you need a large torx and open ended wrench to remove it.
 
Originally posted by: iamwiz82
Originally posted by: o9z
I was looking at it, and the bottom of the bar that popped out appears to be a "ball" that fits in the other part. It looks like it just popped out..nothing broke. How hard of a fix would this be?
Click to expand...

Hey, I do consider myself to be a Jeep expert 😛

Anyways, I'd replace both sides with new. With that kind of rust (winter salt?) one is eventually going to snap. Be warned, those bolts can be very difficult to remove after years of rusting. The sway bar links themselves are faily cheap. $30 for the pair at the dealer would be my guess. You could probably find some free on jeepsunlimited.com if you ask in Wanted forum.

IIRC, you need a large torx and open ended wrench to remove it.
Click to expand...



I bet you look sexy when you're all sweaty with grease stains on your white wife-beater...*fap*

edit: ******! that's IAMWIZ not lolawiz...
 
the "death wobble" in our shop was never caused by ball joints, but rather by the worn out ridiculously tiny OEM steering stabilizer....a Rancho 5000 replacement solves it every time🙂
 
Originally posted by: Accipiter22
I bet you look sexy when you're all sweaty with grease stains on your white wife-beater...*fap*

edit: ******! that's IAMWIZ not lolawiz...
Click to expand...

Not so furiously now, eh? :laugh:
 
Originally posted by: allanon1965
the "death wobble" in our shop was never caused by ball joints, but rather by the worn out ridiculously tiny OEM steering stabilizer....a Rancho 5000 replacement solves it every time🙂
Click to expand...

A SS is simply a bandaid fix for death wobble. A well tuned suspension will not exhibit death wobble even without a steering stabilizer.
 
Actually steering linkage (ie pitman and idler arms) that are worn will more likely cause a wobble than a ball joint. All that happens when a ball joint is worn is that your camber goes to hell (and caster to a degree), and things become very unsafe. But when you have looseness in the steering (toe) then the wheels wobble back and forth regardless of what you're doing with the steering wheel wheel. It usually manifests itself when you hit a bump the right way. One way to get control back is to turn the wheel one way (if you're in a position to on the road), thereby taking all the play out of the system.

 
Originally posted by: o9z
I was looking at it, and the bottom of the bar that popped out appears to be a "ball" that fits in the other part. It looks like it just popped out..nothing broke. How hard of a fix would this be?
Click to expand...

seems to be a common prob with jeeps, my fathers grand cherokee just had it happen for the second time.
 
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