Welp...the Jeeps are begging for attention this week. Got an oil change on my diesel WK2 and bought front rotors because they were warped. Did the passenger side, no problem. Driver side....well...I figured out why the rotor warped - one piston in the caliper wouldn't retract. Frozen solid. So...got a caliper. Happy jeep now...but $$$$ 
Now, for the TJ. Bone stock suspension, no lift, stock size tires. I've hit death wobble 3x, same spot on the same road (angled trench repair, hits it "just right" but only at a certain speed). I don't feel it in the steering wheel, it stays solid, but the damn Jeep feels like it's gonna come apart and I have to pretty much stop the Jeep to get the shakes to stop. I replaced the steering stabilizer, I replaced all 4 shocks (115k miles and one shock was soaking wet so I did the set)....same issue. Much more stable on the highway, but that one damned spot can still make 'er shake like crazy.
I'm thinking with the mileage...bad control arm bushings are a safe enough bet. Steering is solid, no clunks, no wander, turn the wheel and the jeep changes direction, all that good stuff...
My question is a "what would you do" question.
I would LOVE to put a set of tubular adjustables in - Core 4x4 has a set of 8 for $500 right now, plus $60 for all new hardware. But with what I just had to spend on the WK2...and the fact that I'm bleeding money in a rental apartment I'm renovating...$500 is a noticeable dent in the ol' budget.
Other option - replacement stock style control arms. About $125 for aftermarket stock style (stamped steel) with new bushings already installed - drop n swap.
Third option - new bushings in my existing arms. I have a press in the shop, and I could get either rubber, or poly, bushings for a couple hundred bucks for a set, and press them into my existing control arms.
I like to upgrade when I repair, whenever possible...and the adjustable tubular arms would be nice if I ever DO lift the jeep, because then I wouldn't have to buy arms AGAIN for the lift. But...it's a big budget dent, like I said.
I dunno.
Anyone have any thoughts? I don't "wheel" the jeep - it's a beach toy, summer convertible, winter "screw the snow plows" toy.
Now, for the TJ. Bone stock suspension, no lift, stock size tires. I've hit death wobble 3x, same spot on the same road (angled trench repair, hits it "just right" but only at a certain speed). I don't feel it in the steering wheel, it stays solid, but the damn Jeep feels like it's gonna come apart and I have to pretty much stop the Jeep to get the shakes to stop. I replaced the steering stabilizer, I replaced all 4 shocks (115k miles and one shock was soaking wet so I did the set)....same issue. Much more stable on the highway, but that one damned spot can still make 'er shake like crazy.
I'm thinking with the mileage...bad control arm bushings are a safe enough bet. Steering is solid, no clunks, no wander, turn the wheel and the jeep changes direction, all that good stuff...
My question is a "what would you do" question.
I would LOVE to put a set of tubular adjustables in - Core 4x4 has a set of 8 for $500 right now, plus $60 for all new hardware. But with what I just had to spend on the WK2...and the fact that I'm bleeding money in a rental apartment I'm renovating...$500 is a noticeable dent in the ol' budget.
Other option - replacement stock style control arms. About $125 for aftermarket stock style (stamped steel) with new bushings already installed - drop n swap.
Third option - new bushings in my existing arms. I have a press in the shop, and I could get either rubber, or poly, bushings for a couple hundred bucks for a set, and press them into my existing control arms.
I like to upgrade when I repair, whenever possible...and the adjustable tubular arms would be nice if I ever DO lift the jeep, because then I wouldn't have to buy arms AGAIN for the lift. But...it's a big budget dent, like I said.
I dunno.
Anyone have any thoughts? I don't "wheel" the jeep - it's a beach toy, summer convertible, winter "screw the snow plows" toy.
