1997 Jeep Wrangler Suspension Problems

Your Jeep's frame is rusting from the inside out, particularly where the rear trailing arm mounts are welded to it. This internal corrosion has compromised the frame's integrity to the point where your vehicle won't pass safety inspection. Repairing or replacing the frame will likely cost more than the vehicle is worth.

You noticed a wobble while driving and found that the transfer case skid plate had separated from the frame due to severe rust damage to the frame itself. The bolts holding the skid plate have fallen out, and since this plate also supports the transfer case, the driveshaft is now wobbling. If the skid plate had completely detached on the highway, the rear driveshaft could have locked up the rear wheels or broken entirely, creating a serious safety hazard.

While driving, the rear upper control arm brackets separated from the frame due to internal corrosion, which then caused the rear brake line to break and drain the master cylinder. This would result in loss of braking power and a serious safety issue. The repair would involve replacing the corroded frame sections, rear upper control arm brackets, and brake line components.

After hitting bumps in the road, your steering feels unstable and the entire vehicle wobbles. This suggests a suspension or steering component may be loose or worn out. A mechanic should inspect your suspension and steering system to identify which parts need repair or replacement.

Water and debris can get trapped in the rear frame because there are no drain holes, causing rust that eats through the metal. As the frame rusts, the rear control arms can separate from the frame, which would affect your suspension and handling. This is a structural issue that needs inspection and may require frame repair or replacement of rusted sections.

THE FRAME IS ROTTING AWAY, THE FRAME ROT CLEARLY STARTED MANY YEARS AGO. THE RUST IS QUITE BAD AND WILL NOT STOP. IN AN ACCIDENT, THE BODY COULD POSSIBLY FLY OFF THE FRAME POSSIBLY BEING FATAL. THE FRAME IS RUSTING FROM CONTROL ARM BRACKETS TO BODY MOUNTS ALL OF WHICH CAN LEAD TO VERY DANGEROUS SITUATIONS. *TR

WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST STEERING CONTROL. CONSUMER HAD TO SLAM ON BRAKES TO REGAIN STEERING CONTROL. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE LINK ON THE STABILIZER BAR BROKE. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED.*AK THE CONSUMER FEELS THAT THE CONNECTING LINK IS NOT STURDY ENOUGH AND IS WEAK DUE TO IT'S SIZE. *NM

THE REAR AXLE SNAPPED INSIDE THE CASING, WHICH ALMOST CAUSED THE WHEEL TO FALL OFF. *JB

5-SPEED TRANS HARD TO SHIFT COLD.FRONT SWAY BER LINKS BREAKING

DEATH SHIMMY AT 40MPH. STEERING WHEEL SHAKES VIOLENTLY FROM SISDE TO SIDE. TAKEN TO DEALER, TIRE SHOPS ECT. NO ONE CAN FIGURE IT OUT. REPLACED TRAKING ARM, WHEELS AND TIRES. FRONT END ALIGNMENT AND ROTATED TIRES.*AK

WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN AT 35 MPH VEHICLE PULLED TO THE RIGHT. MECHANIC DETERMINED RIGHT AND LEFT LOWER CONTROL ARMS WERE BENT, ALSO UPPER LEFT CONTROL ARM. PARTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.*AK. CONSUMER STATED THE UPPER AND LOWER CONTROL ARMS WERE BENT. *JG

WHILE TRAVELING AT 35 MPH VEHICLE SUDDENLY JERKED REALLY HARD AND TOSSED CONSUMER AROUND A LITTLE. DEALER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

CLUTCH, FLYWHEEL ALL RELATED PARTS FAILED, WATER LEAKING ON PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR, CLOCK AND RADIO BROKE DEALER CANT FIX, SEAT BELTS WONT RETRACT, SWAY BARS COME LOOSE

DRIVEABILITY PROBLEMS VIBRATIONS START AT 40 MPH AND ENTIRE FRONT END SHAKES VIOLENTLY , ACTUALLY BOUNCING FRONT END OFF OF ROAD MAKING IT NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO RETAIN CONTROL. PROBLEM IS BEING REFERRED TO AMONG OWNERS AS "DEATH WOBBLE". ALL COMPONENTS CHECKED, REPLACED AND/OR REPAIRED WITHOUT ANY IMPROVEMENT. MAJOR PROBLEM FOR JEEP OWNERS SHOULD BE A SAFETY RECALL. COULD CAUSE LOSS OF CONTROL AT ANY SPEED ABOVE 40 MHP.*AK

CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ALL SPEEDS AND WHEN HITTING A BUMP/ HOLE VEHICLE STARTED VIBRATING AND SHAKING, VEHICLE WAS UNSTABLE. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK

SWAY BAR LINK BALLJOINTS POPPED OUT ON BOTHS SIDES MAKING THE JEEP UNSTABLE IN TURNS. THE ARE LIKE THIS ON 9 OUT OF 10 JEEPS I HAVE INSPECTED WITH LOW MILEAGE. *AK

BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT SWAY BAR LINKS POPPED OUT OF THEIR SOCKETS CAUSING REDUCED CONTROL OF SIDE TO SIDE STABELIZATION. THIS COULD BE A VERY SERIOUS STABILITY PROBLEM IF THE DRIVER DOES NOT KNOW THEIR BROKEN AND HAS TO MAKE A QUICK TURN. THIS PART IS NOT SAFE AND SHOULD BE RECALLED. THANKS. *AK

NOTICED OIL LEAKING. HAD THE VEHICLE SERVICED AT THE DEALER WHO PUT A NEW SEAL ON. AFTER A SECOND SEAL WAS PUT ON, TOOK IT TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE TORQUE TURNING CHECKED ON THE REAR PINION GEAR. WAS TOLD THAT THE BEARINGS WERE ALL BAD AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. ALSO, THEY HAD TO REBUILT THE REAR END. *AK *ML

FRONT TORSION BAR IS FLIMSY AND UNDERSIZED, BECAME STRESSED UNDER NORMAL OPERATING CONDITIONS (NO OFFROADING) AND GAVE WAY. TURNING, MANEUVERING IN TRAFFIC VERY DANGEROUS AS SIDE-TO-SIDE SWAYING BECAME EXCESSIVE. *AK

WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING FRONT SWAY BAR BROKE, AND THE FRONT WHEELS FELT LIKE THEY WERE FALLING OFF. *AK

VEHICLE WAS MAKING A REALLY LOUD NOISE WHEN STEERING WAS BEING TURNED .CONSUMER HAS GOTTEN ARBITRATION FOR THIS VEHICLE. *AK

FRONT SHOCK ABSORBER LEAKING. YH

TIRES WEARING UNEVENLY, POSSIBLE SUSPENSION PROBLEM. YH

REAR UPPER CONTROL ARMS THAT HOLD THE TRANSMISSION AXLE IN PLACE FRACTURED ON BOTH SIDES.

REPLACED LEFT FRONT STABILIZER BAR LINK AND BUSHING.