Chrysler warns on 'Death Wobble'
2012-08-13 07:43
NEED BIGGER WHEELS? BUY ORIGINAL: Jeep's Wrangler has been singled out for its “Jeep Death Wobble”, but no deaths have been reported.
Chrysler has reportedly issued a technical bulletin
regarding a front suspension vibration that has been dubbed 'The Jeep Death
Wobble'.
The bulletin, the Detroit News reported, has been issued to
Jeep dealers and shared with the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. A summary has also been posted on a number of Jeep blogs.
AFTERMARKET GIZMOS TO BLAME?
According to the DetNews, the bulletin reminds Jeep
owners to inspect their vehicle's steering systems regularly and noted that vehicles
equipped with a solid front axle may suffer steering vibration if the system is
damaged or not properly maintained.
It also states that aftermarket steering and suspension
components, or wheel and tyre assemblies incompatible with Jeeps, were the most
common cause of the steering vibration.
The NHTSA reportedly said drivers of Jeep Wranglers (model
years 2005-10) typically reported the wobble as “shimmy symptoms at speeds
above 72km/h, frequently after travelling over a bump”.
Despite the shudder’s nickname, no
deaths have been reported.