Death wobble: steering wheel and entire front of car shakes or oscillates very badly when traveling between 25 and 50 MPH and hitting a bump or rut in the road. This violent shaking continues until the speed is reduced. This incident has happened to me about 20 times in the last 3 months. According to many reports on the internet, the bad components are the front track arm or bar and the steering damper.
1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee steering complaints
Page 2 of 2: complaints 11 to 40 of 40, newest first, as owners wrote them.
I have repeatedly tried to find out what is causing my steering to consistently wobble at 50 MPH. After several trips to my mechanic, it turns out to be a common steering issue with the jeep. I could not find a recall notice for this specific problem. Is there a way to have the manufacturer repair it?
Having recently purchased a pre-owned 1998 jeep grand cherokee laredo. With 80k miles, I was rudely introduced to jeep's apparently well known. Attribute known as 'wobble of death' or 'death wobble'. Please do an internet. Search of this malady to realize the extent of this inherent problem. My jeep is completely stock and completely nerve-wracking to drive with it's current tendencies. I am completely surprised that this problem has been allowed to persist for this long.
While driving at different speeds and making slight turns the 1998 jeep grand cherokee will vibrate and bounce. The steering wheel will begin to pull and the front right tire feels like it is coming off or bouncing. I have taken it to the dealer and three independent shops for this problem over a 2 year period. All of have felt the problem and have no idea where it is coming from. I have so far replaced the entire front brake system, all front bushings, shocks, tires, front u bolts, and had the whole system inspected by at least 10 different mechanics. Also the brakes feel like they are riding on a warped rotor. When breaking the pedal pushes back at the driver and makes it very difficult to control the breaking. This problem has also been looked at by the dealer and the aforementioned shops. To date no solution has been found and the problem keeps getting worse. I fear that either of these problems can cause a major failure leading to injury or death.
The problems that are being recalled on the dodge durango are the exact same problems that I experienced with my 98 jeep grand cherokee with only 55,770 miles on it. The steering was so sloppy and the vehicle leaned very hard and easily that on a turn, it felt very very dangerous. I got quotes at the dealership which were astronomical, so I decided to look elsewhere. Fearing roll over dangers on this vehicle, I decided to get some front and rear addco sway bars, which at the time were the strongest sway bars. After getting the sway bars via courier, I priced around and took them to four wheel parts located at 2500 marine ave. #1, redondo beach, ca 90278. I explained the problems to them. I explained that I wanted safer shocks and I didn't want the vehicle to roll-over, so they took things apart and found that the tie rods were junk. They repaired everything and charged me $2536.44 on 05/07/03, invoice # 42-045575, and that doesn't include the price of the sway bars. After the work was done, I found that the vehicle has a lot tighter turning radius and it doesn't drift or push into the next lane in a turn any more. Basically, it felt like a brand-new vehicle and I paid the bill to prove it. I have the entire work order in front of me.
Vehicle steering locked up almost causing an accident. *mr the consumer was making a left turn while driving in heavy traffic. Suddenly the steering locked up which almost caused an accident. The consumer pulled to the side of the road and checked the belts and power steering fluid, which were alright. The driver resumed driving but when he made another left turn the steering locked up again. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was determined that the gear box failed. The repairs were not covered under warranty because it expired, therefore the consumer replaced the gear box himself. The consumer has the original gear box in his possession.
While driving at 35 MPH steering wheel locked up, causing, the driver to lose control of vehicle. Owner has contacted the dealership.
Eletrical, air condition, body noise over all unhappy with vicial evaporator core $1000.00 to repair lights and dash gages do not fuction properly suspicion sqeaks had oiled helped for a day brakes were very quick will not line up if you let go of the wheel it goes straight off the road radio can not be truned up door paniles vibrate left turn light stays on on the dash at all times fuel gage reeds emepty even when full an light is on .
While driving consumer made a right turn and the steering wheel locked up, which cause lost of control and resulted in vehicle running off the road. Please provide more details. Ts
While driving the vehicle there are loud clicking noises coming from the column. However, there are technical service bullitens on this issue. Please provide any further information. Ts
At 65mph and without warning, the power steering had gone out. Consumer could hear noise coming from the engine. Cause unknown. Dealer notified. Consumer stated that the failure occured about 70 miles from his home. The vehicle stayed at the failure location until it was fixed. The power steering and pump was replaced at a nj garage, for 7 days, while waiting on parts. (invoice is affixed to this form)*ak
While driving the vehicle steering shaft broke and disengaged causing injury to the driver. Nlm the consumer states that the steering shaft broke due to faulty design by the manufacturer. The consumer is seeking reimbursement for injuries due to the steering shaft snapping.
While driving steering wheel locked up. Dealer has been notified. Please provide further information.
When driving at 15 MPH and without any prior warning power steering assembly and pulley came completely out of vehicle. Consumer told manufacturer that he never heard of that problem. Please provide any further details.
While driving approximately 20 MPH, and without any prior warning, steering wheel instantly locked up when a left turn was initiated. Turn could not be completed and the vehicle went off road and into a yard before coming to stop. No injuries, but had speed been higher, or an open yard not available, this would have in my mind been a potentially catastrophic and life threatening event. Engine was running, and serpentine belt had not broken. Vehicle was towed to dealer and reportedly had steering gear box replaced. There have been other similar complaints and this should be investigated given the potential to cause a serious collision.
Rack and pinion.
Power steering pump.
Steering wheel locks up intermittently at low speeds, making it impossible to turn the wheel, creating a significant safety hazard. Dealer refuses to fix it because he "can't duplicate the problem".
Wleels lock when in reverse, unalbe to steer vehicle to go foward
When making a left turn the power steering failed, making it hard to complete the turn. Dealer cannot duplicate the problem, it's a on and off thing.
Seat warmer, when on, gets extremely hot, approximately 214 degrees. Dealer contacted, and cannot remedy the problem. Problem occurred three times. Also, steering gear box locked up and was replaced/transfer case was making noise and was replaced. Provide further information.
Steering gear box leaking.
Power steering leak.
Power steering pump failed. Yh
Steering gear assembly failed. Nlm
Casting of the steering box failed resulting in leaking.
Steering column is misaligned and when driving has to continuously pull the wheel to the left. Dealer is aware of the problem. Several attempts were made to remedy the problem, but problem still exists.
After making right hand turns steering locked up. Cause unknown. Please provide details.
Power steering hose experiening leaks. Nlm
Rear wiper does not perfrom properly.
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