08 FX4 front end rebuild (death wobble)

[LukeBizzy]

My 08 FX4 needs a front end rebuild after some "sketchy" handling on the highway. Its fine till I hit potholes, then the front end goes way out of control (close to the Dodge death wobble). I did a quick check & didn't find anything standing out, other than questionable sway bar links. I'm not running huge tires, just some 265/70/16 Cooper A/T's. No lift or anything so far

150K on it & looks to be all factory parts, so here's my grocery list. I have some parts ordered that were a deal, working on the others. Very open to any suggestions!! Would adding a steering stabilizer shock help, and is there one out there? I haven't really dug into it yet but soon, so the problem might be more clear once I'm in there.

Doorman upper control arms (bushings & ball joints)
Adjustable camber bolts (since I'm in there, may not be necessary)
Lower ball joints
Inner/outer tie rods
Moog sway bar links
Moog sway bar bushings
Shocks are new, but they were cheap! Should I replace??

Seems replacement lower ball joints come in too many sizes! Taking a shot at replacing the stock ones (vs replacing the lower control arms) since I think the bushings may be fine. We'll see.
Thanks!

 

[Uncle Gump]

Never saw a steering stabilizer on a rack and pinion.

Does it actually violently shake the wheel(s) until you slow it down and get it straightened out? Or does it just feel like it wants to change lanes?

When inspecting the front end... ensure you have the front tires off the ground and have the weight supported under the lower control arm.this will unload the lower ball joints... tie rods... and wheel bearings. If it's bad like you say... something is gonna be loose.

 

[rubydist]

Never heard of a death wobble on a rack and pinion independent front suspension.

The top candidates for issues are tires and shock absorbers. As Uncle Gump says, you should be able to find something seriously loose if it really wanders all over the road after hitting a bump.

 

[LukeBizzy]

Thank you!
Yes, didn't even think about the stabilizer with a rack issue. Used to older trucks with a box & too much linkage

It was actually trying to shoot over all the lanes after hitting potholes on the highway at 75mph. It was like I had very little control, had to slow all the way to 50mph to get it back under control. Pavement went bad after that (Michigan roads) so I hung on at 50mph till the exit. Before that I was happily cruising around at 75ish. Around town & on smooth roads it is fine. Totally different animal when you add speed & rough pavement to it.

I shook everything around from the steering linkage to the tires & nothing was obvious with it in the air, but its clearly not safe. Not driving it till I get to work on it of course, but its like its fine till something upsets one side & it doesn't come back. I'll also look at the back, maybe I have something going on there.

 

[LukeBizzy]

Curious...What about a unbalanced tire? I have a tire machine & mount my own tires, but didn't splurge for the balancer so I use a old school bubble balancer. Normally it seems ok with no vibration but?? I'm ok admitting I messed up, haha! Its been a couple years since I mounted them & they were fine. Maybe I should check my weights.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

Look at your shocks.

 

[LukeBizzy]

Shocks are newer but cheap Monroe's or something blue (lol). I did see a little leaking on them. I'll swap them out when I'm in there!

 

[sgtsandman]

Take a close look at your frame. Someone on here had rust issues and the frame was almost gone.

 

[LukeBizzy]

Thanks all!

I have a mountain of Moog parts (all everything for the front).
I started out going easy & went with the shocks & sway bar end links. My front shocks were gone! I put Monroe's all the way around in the spring & the fronts are blown out already, ouch, maybe 3000 miles... 100% did not expect that! I put in Rancho RS5000's in it & wow, what a difference. I looked around & nothing seems loose. I really dont know if its worth doing the control arms, ball joints & tie rods?? I have the parts, could stash them away & just put them on in the spring I guess.

The front end was off on height before also. The right side was almost a inch lower than the left, so I put 1/2 turn on the torsion bar & got it level. How would this get out of adjustment? I see no damage or any bad rust issues.

 

[gw33gp]

Have you had the front-end alignment checked? Toe out can cause serous steering instability.

 

[LukeBizzy]

Digging up an old post, BUT.

I used Vision Wheels & that was the problem. I mounted new Cooper Tires on the Vision wheels & balanced them (home shop, "affordable" ebay machines).

I had the wheels balanced by 2 different "chain store" tire shops & they were fine, in addition to my own machine. Replaced EVERYTHING in the suspension as stated above and it was still basically the same, undriveable on the highway.

I had some random wheels laying around & put on some new snow tires & all the sudden everything is great! Its like a Cadillac on the highway with no far of death, lol.

Digging back I saw saw many reviews of some Vision steel wheels having a very bad out of balance problem. Seems I have some of them! I still have some nice Cooper off road tires I will swap to a good wheel, but just a fyi. The Vision wheels are going in the scrap pile. Just seems very annoying these went through 3 different tire balance machines & were given a clean bill of health!

Just something to think about if you were in a situation like me. Seems obvious but ya kind of trust the wheel balancer! Many thanks for all the tips, I did check everything.