The rap against the Wrangler is a wobbly argument
Skip to main content
Sister Publication Links
  • Automotive News Canada
  • Automotive News Europe
  • Automotive News Mexico
  • Automotive News China
  • Automobilwoche
AN-LOGO-BLUE
Subscribe
  • Subscribe
  • Account
  • login
  • HOME
  • NEWS
    • Dealers
    • Automakers & Suppliers
    • News by Brand
    • Cars & Concepts
    • China
    • Shift
    • Mobility Report
    • Special Reports
    • Digital Edition Archive
    • This Week's Issue
    • China trade
      China sees U.S. postponing Dec. 15 threat as tariff cuts debated
      Dealer
      China auto sales drop for 17th straight month in November
      VW's Jetta subbrand launches with 3-month sales of nearly 30,000
      BYD lands major e-bus order in Netherlands, Colombia
    • Four technologies that could take the world beyond lithium ion
      Many lessons learned -- and some underway -- on battery safety
      Leave room for lead?
      The 3 main types of lithium ion battery cells
    • CEO of GM's Cruise hints at offering low-cost shared rides
      NTSB scrutinizes 'automation complacency' after Uber crash
      Karl-Thomas Neumann joins board of Israeli startup
      Nuro will soon start driverless deliveries in Houston
    • Automotive News special report: Retail Realities
      2019 UAW-Detroit 3 negotiations: The path forward
      Dealerships owned by ex-NFL stars face collapse, litigation
      Want a luxury car? Try a Kia
    • With battery partner, GM eases risk
      Automakers push GPB to sell stores
      FCA and PSA together will be stronger, Tavares says
      Nissan furloughs U.S. employees to save cash
    • Access F&I
    • Fixed Ops Journal
    • Marketing
    • Used Cars
    • Sales
    • Best Practices
    • Dealership Buy/Sell
    • NADA
    • NADA Show
    • Automakers
    • Manufacturing
    • Suppliers
    • Regulations & Safety
    • Executives
    • Leading Women Network
    • Guide to Economic Development
    • PACE Awards
    • Management Briefing Seminars
    • World Congress
    • Aston Martin
    • BMW
      • Mini
      • Rolls-Royce
    • Daimler
      • Mercedes Benz
      • Smart
    • Fiat Chrysler
      • Alfa Romeo
      • Chrysler
      • Dodge
      • Ferrari
      • Fiat
      • Jeep
      • Maserati
      • Ram
    • Ford
      • Lincoln
    • General Motors
      • Buick
      • Cadillac
      • Chevrolet
      • GMC
      • Holden
    • Honda
      • Acura
    • Hyundai
      • Genesis
      • Kia
    • Mazda
    • McLaren
    • Mitsubishi
    • Nissan
      • Infiniti
    • PSA
      • Citroen
      • Opel
      • Peugeot
    • Renault
    • Subaru
    • Suzuki
    • Tata
      • Jaguar
      • Land Rover
    • Tesla
    • Toyota
      • Lexus
    • Volkswagen
      • Audi
      • Bentley
      • Bugatti
      • Lamborghini
      • Porsche
      • Seat
      • Skoda
    • Volvo
    • (Discontinued Brands)
    • Auto Shows
      • Detroit Auto Show
      • New York Auto Show
      • Los Angeles Auto Show
      • Chicago Auto Show
      • Geneva Auto Show
      • Paris Auto Show
      • Frankfurt Auto Show
      • Toronto Auto Show
      • Tokyo Auto Show
      • Shanghai Auto Show
      • Beijing Auto Show
    • Future Product Pipeline
    • Photo Galleries
    • Car Cutaways
    • Design
  • OPINION
    • Blogs
    • Cartoons
    • Keith Crain
    • Automotive Views with Jason Stein
    • Columnists
    • China Commentary
    • Editorials
    • Letters to the Editor
    • Send us a Letter
    • Alfa-Romeo-Stelvio- web.jpg
      Alfa Romeo could be Tavares' toughest turnaround
      Iacobelli
      Alphons Iacobelli: The bad penny that keeps turning up
      With Mach-E, Ford ensures Mustang badge will live on
      Autonomous
      A call for clarity on self-driving terminology
    • view gallery
      1 photos
      Hop On In
      view gallery
      1 photos
      Polarizing Design
      view gallery
      1 photos
      Charging Ahead
      Roger Penske buys the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and IndyCar
      view gallery
      1 photos
      Pace Truck
    • Shifting gears away from the stick shift
      SEMA still a wonderful circus
      Penske still has plenty of races to win
      Ford's turn in the hot seat
    • December 6, 2019 | All-Stars will leave an imprint on the industry’s future
      November 29, 2019 | Plenty to be thankful for in the automotive industry
      November 22, 2019 | GM’s lawsuit against FCA is all about payback
      November 15, 2019 | Will anyone buy EVs?
    • EV hype or reality? Follow the money
      Lindsay VanHulle
      AI changes work at dealerships
      Troy Blackwell
      New ideas needed to lift EV residuals
      Alfa could be Tavares' toughest turnaround
    • EV taxis
      Beijing, unrelenting, steps up push for EV output
      Buick in China
      Global automakers raise bet on gasoline crossovers, SUVs in search of growth opportunities
      American brands, losing ground, face new challenges in China
      PSA, FCA must confront excess China capacity under merger
    • Uber case should prompt tighter AV controls
      Plan to clean up UAW corruption is a good start
      Shared benefits make FCA-PSA union worth risk
      GM, UAW should get credit for working out deal
    • Trabant has been reliable, mostly
      Cadillac needs to get its priorities straight
      Dealers can find out how to follow ADA
      Indeed, Penske did have another win
  • DATA CENTER
  • VIDEO
    • AutoNews Now
    • First Shift
    • Special Video Reports
    • Weekend Drive
    • AutoNews Now: Toyota NA chief Jim Lentz to retire in March
      AutoNews Now: GM, Ford praise USMCA compromise
      AutoNews Now: Cadillac pilots virtual showroom with live agents
      AutoNews Now: Uber discloses 3,000 claims of sexual assault in 2018
    • First Shift: Chevy SUVs get more space, tech, safety features
      First Shift: Workers at several FCA plants vote to approve contract
      First Shift: VW, Toyota push Prime to sell stores
      First Shift: Tesla's China-made cars qualify for subsidies
    • Florida FCA store scores with soft-sell approach in service drive
      Ford's Jim Hackett on Wall Street, the Mustang Mach-E and tech opportunities for dealers
      watch video
      9:13
      Women service staffers defy perceptions, boost customer satisfaction
      Tenn. dealer preaches profits, fixed ops longevity, workplace empathy
    • Why Carlos Tavares wants to merge PSA and FCA  
      Lincoln aims to 'paint a new picture' for shoppers
      VW's Scott Keogh on bringing 'cool' EVs to the masses
      How Toyota found its 'niche' in Mexico
  • EVENTS & AWARDS
    • Events
    • Awards
    • World Congress
    • Retail Forum: NADA
    • Canada Congress
    • Marketing 360: L.A.
    • Europe Congress
    • Retail Forum: Chicago
    • Leading Women Conference Detroit
    • Retail Forum: Toronto
    • Fixed Ops Journal Forum
    • 100 Leading Women
      • Submit a nomination for 2020
    • 40 Under 40 Retail
    • All-Stars
    • Best Dealerships To Work For
    • PACE Awards
    • PACEpilot
    • Rising Stars
    • Europe Rising Stars
  • JOBS
  • +MORE
    • Leading Women Network
    • Podcasts
    • Webinars
    • Publishing Partners
    • Classifieds
    • People on the Move
    • Newsletters
    • Contact Us
    • Media Kit
    • RSS Feeds
    • Shift: A Podcast About Mobility
    • Special Reports Podcasts
    • Weekend Drive Podcasts
    • Ally: Do It Right
    • DealerSocket
    • Deloitte: Cyber everywhere: Preparing for automotive safety in the face of cyber threats
    • Facebook: The road to a zero-friction future
    • Guide To Economic Development
    • PayPal Credit: How consumer financing helps drive sales for online auto parts retailers
MENU
Breadcrumb
  1. Home
  2. Blogs
Blogs
July 06, 2012 01:00 AM

The rap against the Wrangler is a wobbly argument

Larry P. Vellequette
  • Tweet
  • Share
  • Share
  • Email
  • More
    Print
    The Wrangler's solid front axle, track bar and drag-link steering system is an integral part of what gives the 4x4 its unmatched off-road chops -- in short, it's what makes the Wrangler a Wrangler.

    If the English-speaking world changed the name of the common cold to "fatal sniffles," the ubiquitous ailment would sure get a lot more attention from drug companies and the media -- but the symptoms would remain.

    The common cold is an effect of our body's design, the cost of living in a world filled with viruses and having a nose.

    Such is the case with the named-for-TV-news Jeep "death wobble," a condition inherent to any vehicle with straight front axles which has jumped back into the news.

    To consumers whose videos showing the condition litter YouTube, the ill-named "death wobble" is a violent shaking of the steering wheel and front steering linkage at certain speeds. If a driver fails to react, it potentially could cause loss of control.

    Two members of Congress -- one of a select few professions held in lower regard by the public than journalists and car salespeople -- have now taken up the cause of the "death wobble." They've asked Chrysler to alert owners of straight-axle Jeeps, like the Wrangler and 1984-2001 Cherokee, of the condition and suggest methods to repair and prevent the problem.

    But to engineers, the potential for "wobble" is an inherent design limitation of all vehicles with straight front axles and transverse steering -- designed for rugged applications -- and is related to the interaction between its steering geometry and suspension. Engineers can work to minimize the effects of the wobble in solid-axle vehicles, but they can never eliminate it entirely.

    The Wrangler's solid front axle, track bar and drag-link steering system is an integral part of what gives the 4x4 its unmatched off-road chops -- in short, it's what makes the Wrangler a Wrangler. For visual proof of what I'm talking about, just search for photos of off-road enthusiasts rock climbing and see the ridiculous angles that even a stock Wrangler's tires can move relative to its body.

    But the off-road functionality provided by such systems comes at a price: on roadways at certain speeds, the front wheels can develop a harmonic resonance with the tie rod, which connects the front wheels together. It can make a kind of feedback loop of shaking that grows upon itself until it's interrupted, like a microphone that's too close to its speaker.

    This is especially true if the vehicle isn't properly maintained, if the tires have uneven tread wear, if it's out of alignment, or if any of the suspension components are worn or broken.

    A Pentastar-equipped 2012 four-door Wrangler Unlimited with an automatic transmission will go from 0 to 60 in 8.4 seconds.

    Concerns about "death wobble" may be the inevitable consequence of more consumers buying -- and perhaps Chrysler or dealers selling -- a vehicle like the Jeep Wrangler as though it were any other "put it in drive and forget it" sedan. It's not. It's a specialized vehicle designed for off-roading, which also happens to be able to provide a relatively comfortable ride as a daily driver.

    I agree with the two member of Congress that more consumer education is needed, and that should start at the dealership with the sales process. Chrysler has broken its monthly sales records for the Wrangler in each of the last two months, and Wrangler sales are up 33 percent so far this year at 70,871 units.

    Consumers don't seem concerned about the "death wobble" reports so far, but they do need to be educated what to expect.

    If consumers know that this condition is less likely to occur with frequent tire rotations and regular maintenance, they are less likely to over-react when it does happen.

    But I don't agree that Chrysler needs to change the design of the Wrangler, or abandon its coil-link suspension or transverse steering, just because consumers can't properly maintain their vehicles or drive within its capabilities.

    Related Articles
    Chrysler pressed to issue wobble warning on Jeep Wrangler
    Chrysler pressed to issue wobble warning on Jeep Wrangler
    Letter
    to the
    Editor

    Send us a letter

    Have an opinion about this story? Click here to submit a Letter to the Editor, and we may publish it in print.

    Recommended for You
    Digital Edition
    THIS WEEK'S EDITION
    See our archive
    Fixed Ops Journal
    Fixed Ops Journal - 10-21-19
    Read the issue
    See our archive
    Sign up for free newsletters
    EMAIL ADDRESS

    Please enter a valid email address.

    Please enter your email address.

    Please select at least one newsletter to subscribe.

    You can unsubscribe at any time through links in these emails. For more information, see our Privacy Policy.

    Get Free Newsletters

    Sign up and get the best of Automotive News delivered straight to your email inbox, free of charge. Choose your news – we will deliver.

    Subscribe Now

    Get 24/7 access to in-depth, authoritative coverage of the auto industry from a global team of reporters and editors covering the news that’s vital to your business.

    Subscribe Now
    Connect With Us
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • LinkedIn
    • Twitter

    Our mission

    The Automotive News mission is to be the primary source of industry news, data and understanding for the industry's decision-makers interested in North America.

    AN-LOGO-BLUE
    Contact Us

    1155 Gratiot Avenue
    Detroit, Michigan
    48207-2997

    (877) 812-1584

    Email us

    Automotive News
    ISSN 0005-1551 (print)
    ISSN 1557-7686 (online)

    Fixed Ops Journal
    ISSN 2576-1064 (print)
    ISSN 2576-1072 (online)

    Resources
    • About us
    • Contact Us
    • Media Kit
    • Subscribe
    • Manage your account
    • Reprints
    • Ad Choices Ad Choices
    • Sitemap
    Legal
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Privacy Policy
    Automotive News
    Copyright © 1996-2019. Crain Communications, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
    • HOME
    • NEWS
      • Dealers
        • Access F&I
        • Fixed Ops Journal
        • Marketing
        • Used Cars
        • Sales
        • Best Practices
        • Dealership Buy/Sell
        • NADA
        • NADA Show
      • Automakers & Suppliers
        • Automakers
        • Manufacturing
        • Suppliers
        • Regulations & Safety
        • Executives
        • Leading Women Network
        • Guide to Economic Development
        • PACE Awards
        • Management Briefing Seminars
        • World Congress
      • News by Brand
        • Aston Martin
        • BMW
          • Mini
          • Rolls-Royce
        • Daimler
          • Mercedes Benz
          • Smart
        • Fiat Chrysler
          • Alfa Romeo
          • Chrysler
          • Dodge
          • Ferrari
          • Fiat
          • Jeep
          • Maserati
          • Ram
        • Ford
          • Lincoln
        • General Motors
          • Buick
          • Cadillac
          • Chevrolet
          • GMC
          • Holden
        • Honda
          • Acura
        • Hyundai
          • Genesis
          • Kia
        • Mazda
        • McLaren
        • Mitsubishi
        • Nissan
          • Infiniti
        • PSA
          • Citroen
          • Opel
          • Peugeot
        • Renault
        • Subaru
        • Suzuki
        • Tata
          • Jaguar
          • Land Rover
        • Tesla
        • Toyota
          • Lexus
        • Volkswagen
          • Audi
          • Bentley
          • Bugatti
          • Lamborghini
          • Porsche
          • Seat
          • Skoda
        • Volvo
        • (Discontinued Brands)
      • Cars & Concepts
        • Auto Shows
          • Detroit Auto Show
          • New York Auto Show
          • Los Angeles Auto Show
          • Chicago Auto Show
          • Geneva Auto Show
          • Paris Auto Show
          • Frankfurt Auto Show
          • Toronto Auto Show
          • Tokyo Auto Show
          • Shanghai Auto Show
          • Beijing Auto Show
        • Future Product Pipeline
        • Photo Galleries
        • Car Cutaways
        • Design
      • China
      • Shift
      • Mobility Report
      • Special Reports
      • Digital Edition Archive
      • This Week's Issue
    • OPINION
      • Blogs
      • Cartoons
      • Keith Crain
      • Automotive Views with Jason Stein
      • Columnists
      • China Commentary
      • Editorials
      • Letters to the Editor
      • Send us a Letter
    • DATA CENTER
    • VIDEO
      • AutoNews Now
      • First Shift
      • Special Video Reports
      • Weekend Drive
    • EVENTS & AWARDS
      • Events
        • World Congress
        • Retail Forum: NADA
        • Canada Congress
        • Marketing 360: L.A.
        • Europe Congress
        • Retail Forum: Chicago
        • Leading Women Conference Detroit
        • Retail Forum: Toronto
        • Fixed Ops Journal Forum
      • Awards
        • 100 Leading Women
          • Submit a nomination for 2020
        • 40 Under 40 Retail
        • All-Stars
        • Best Dealerships To Work For
        • PACE Awards
        • PACEpilot
        • Rising Stars
        • Europe Rising Stars
    • JOBS
    • +MORE
      • Leading Women Network
      • Podcasts
        • Shift: A Podcast About Mobility
        • Special Reports Podcasts
        • Weekend Drive Podcasts
      • Webinars
      • Publishing Partners
        • Ally: Do It Right
        • DealerSocket
        • Deloitte: Cyber everywhere: Preparing for automotive safety in the face of cyber threats
        • Facebook: The road to a zero-friction future
        • Guide To Economic Development
        • PayPal Credit: How consumer financing helps drive sales for online auto parts retailers
      • Classifieds
      • People on the Move
      • Newsletters
      • Contact Us
      • Media Kit
      • RSS Feeds