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Steering wheel shakes

Discussion in 'Wrangler JK (2007-2017)' started by wranglercj, Feb 14, 2017.

  1. Feb 14, 2017 at 5:44 PM
    #1
    wranglercj

    #1
    wranglercj [OP] New Member

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    I have a 07 JK with 33s,last summer I added 1 1/2 spidertrax spacers.After the install the stearing wheel vibrated a little.Last week when I was switching lanes the stearing was shaking so hard,I had to grab it with two hands.What could be wrong?wheel balance?wheel aglinement?suspension?
     
    wranglercj, Feb 14, 2017
    #1
  2. Feb 14, 2017 at 5:56 PM
    #2
    chris4x4

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    chris4x4 With sufficient thrust, pigs fly just fine Moderator

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    Welcome! If this began after the spacer installation, I would remove the spacers, properly clean the mating surface, and re install at the proper torque. If it happens again, you could have bad spacers.
     
    chris4x4, Feb 14, 2017
    #2
  3. Feb 15, 2017 at 6:34 AM
    #3
    OFFGRID

    #3
    OFFGRID Well-Known Member

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    Houston
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    1979 Jeep CJ7, 258, TH350, NP208
    Howell fuel injection, header, HEI distributor, TH350, NP208, SOA lift with YJ springs in the front & GW springs in the Rear. AMC20 with G2 1 piece chromos trussed, Dana 30 with G2 chromos and 760x ujoints and MM Stainless Hubs, Geared 4.56. Tom Woods shafts, Metal cloaks, Caged, 37" Toyo MTs.
    One clarification. Did you already have the 33s when you installed the spacers, or did you do both 33s and spacers at the same time? Sounds like you have 2 problems going now. Sounds like your spacers might be slightly off center, but it also sounds like you have developed the dreaded death wobble that is being exacerbated by the misaligned spacer. First did you buy a Hubcentric spacer that looks similar to the one pictured with the outer lip/edge circled in blue for your wheel to rest on, and it should also have a groove on the backside for the existing lip on the jeep to fit in.
    [​IMG]

    If you have spacers like this:
    [​IMG]
    They are more difficult to get your tire perfectly centered on them which may cause your steering wheel shimmy, and will exacerbate the death wobble that sounds like you may have developed.

    1. For starters If you installed 33s and spacers at the same time, make sure your tires are perfectly balanced, it is common for tire shops to mis-balance larger tires and still install them.

    2. Do what Chris suggests about the reinstalling the spacers. Clean both surfaces, and (very important) TORQUE them down to manufacturer specifications.

    3. Test drive and see what happens. If you still get the death wobble (violent shaking of the front end so bad that everything on the seat ends up on the floor) come back and we can get you on the right path for fixing that.
     
    OFFGRID, Feb 15, 2017
    #3
    chris4x4 likes this.
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