My Jeep is rattling itself to death.

[dverna]

Yes...I know it is not a Mercedes.

But the ride is atrocious. Much of the 5 miles from blacktop to my place is a washboard surface. The Jeep is a 2010 2 DR Wrangler Sahara.

At times it is dangerous as the vehicle wants to slip sideways on the worst areas.

Lowering tire pressure helped a small bit but I am thinking new shocks and/or springs might be needed.

Any advice would be much appreciated.

[popper]

slip sideways on the worst areas. Yup, usually bad tires but all have the death wobble as no steering damper. All vehicles have cheap rubber suspension bushings and should have good neoprene. Drive slower?

[Baja_Traveler]

With that drive, I would definitely upgrade suspension. I put all new bushings and Bilstein 5100 shocks on my truck before my last Baja trip, and it made a huge difference on the rough washboard roads. Airing down also made a big difference, but going through air down/air up exercise for 5 miles is not worth it.

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

I learned a lesson about Jeeps from the 1980s. I owned a couple of them. The way the suspension is designed, it's kind of a backwards design that it makes you feel all the bumps. My Boss at that time was a 4x4 off roader in the 70s and he explained how the suspension is backwards, but I am unable to explain it.

I have no idea if they still use that design? I surely would think they wouldn't. But who knows?
ANYWAY, on my second Jeep, after reading about lots of options, I choose to buy the best shocks Bilstein had to offer, at the recommendation of my Boss and others. Best $700 I could have spend, that was in 1996 on a 1987 Cherokee with 100K mi on it.

I'm sure others will chime in with more current suggestions.
good Luck

[country gent]

For some reason Jeeps front springs had the solid hinge joint in the back and the shackles in front this made for a very stiff ride as the axle didn't "swing back" over bumps. No real give there. It used to be a popular mod to reverse the springs putting the fixed hinge in front and the shackles in back, this allowed the axle more give to ease over bumps.

The short wheel base of the jeep dost help with ride either.

[smoked turkey]

Years ago I had an old blazer 4WD That would literally jump, skip, (or what ever the word) sideways on pavement if I crossed rail road tracks at an angle. It was a very scary thing. It would eventually stabilize itself after a little bit. It was tie rod ends for me. That fixed it. I think it must have something to do with the short wheel base of these type vehicles that allow them to be thrown out of kilter somehow.

[osteodoc08]

Just
Empty
Every
Pocket

All joking aside, there’s not much you can do. A new set of shocks will help if the old ones are worn out, lowering pressure if possible and slowing down.

[dverna]

I have been looking at the Rancho 9000 adjustable shocks. About $400 and they are not too hard to install. I would spend it in a minute if they would improve the ride by 50%. But most of the guys suggesting them on the Jeep forums are off-roading. Though I do a bit of that, it is on logging trails and nothing really rough or challenging. I am not crawling under it to adjust from highway to rough road conditions if that is what needs to be done.

On decent roads the Jeep rides well enough and last year the county did a better job of keeping the washboards graded so it was not as bad.

Part of me thinks my best option is to trade it on a used 4x4 pickup truck. But I bought a new tractor this year and replaced the roof on the house so money is tight. Trying to sell my Kreighoff Trap combo but not too many buyers for high end shotguns.

popper, I drive 10-20mph over the gravel road. It takes me 20 minutes to go the 5 miles to blacktop.

[JimB..]

You ever consider grading the drive from the pavement to your home? If it’s not yours, maybe just a quick drag.

[rockshooter]

I found that putting my jeep shortbed wrangler in 4-wheel drive calmed washboards somewhat. A big part of the problem is the vehicle length. Ever notice all the Wranglers off the road in snowy areas- they sure like to spin.

Loren

[Dieselhorses]

This is a longshot (and no I'm no Jeep expert) but check your pitman arm maybe?

[samari46]

I had an old '73 CJ5 and redid the supports for the body to the frame. They were all rotted out. Then the floor boards started to go. 1/8" steel flooring and diamond plate in the back. Added weight which isn't a bad thing. Big tires and new off road shocks.Local place I got my stuff had all the equipment to do the job. One the weekends looked like jeep central. Frank

[john.k]

When I lived out west Qld,all the roads were washboard........shake you to pieces at 40 mph............all the locals used to drive a 70mph......reckoned you only touched the tops of the bumps ,and was just like a smooth road......Some spectacular crashes when front suspensions broke....especially Fords.

[Idaho45guy]

First advice is to go directly to a Jeep forum and post your question there, as people here still think Jeeps have leaf springs and 258ci 6cyl motors, lol.

If you don't like the ride in a 2010 JK Wrangler, then I can't imagine what you would have thought of my `89 YJ model....

My dad has a 2008 2dr Wrangler and it is a Cadillac compared to my old leaf-sprung Jeep.

With the short-wheelbase of the Jeep, small things can make a huge difference. Your situation sounds like the right shocks and tires would help tremendously. The biggest mistake people make when selecting shocks for their Jeeps is to put shocks on them with too stiff of valving.

The Rancho 90000 is a good example of that. If I recall correctly, lots of guys have ran those and discovered that they destroy the ride. I think the ones I ran were a Skyjacker of some sort. Really helped the ride characteristics, but I had leaf springs and a lift and big tires. You have coils and likely stock tires.

Go to a Jeep forum and ask.

[dverna]

You ever consider grading the drive from the pavement to your home? If it’s not yours, maybe just a quick drag.

It is five miles of county road and the worst part is the more well travelled road 2.5 miles away.

[Froogal]

My one ton dually has such stiff springs that on a washboard road, the rear tires will actually lose contact with the road surface, and then the truck will get a bit sideways. The ONLY answer is to just SLOW DOWN.

[dverna]

First advice is to go directly to a Jeep forum and post your question there, as people here still think Jeeps have leaf springs and 258ci 6cyl motors, lol.

If you don't like the ride in a 2010 JK Wrangler, then I can't imagine what you would have thought of my `89 YJ model....

My dad has a 2008 2dr Wrangler and it is a Cadillac compared to my old leaf-sprung Jeep.

With the short-wheelbase of the Jeep, small things can make a huge difference. Your situation sounds like the right shocks and tires would help tremendously. The biggest mistake people make when selecting shocks for their Jeeps is to put shocks on them with too stiff of valving.

The Rancho 90000 is a good example of that. If I recall correctly, lots of guys have ran those and discovered that they destroy the ride. I think the ones I ran were a Skyjacker of some sort. Really helped the ride characteristics, but I had leaf springs and a lift and big tires. You have coils and likely stock tires.

Go to a Jeep forum and ask.

I researched on a JK forum as it is the correct model and that is where some were recommending the Rancho 9000's. Thanks for warning me about them as I suspected the off-road types would not understand their needs are not what "normal" people need. One guy who posted the same question got a lot of ridicule and bashing so I doubt they view "normal" people who have a Jeep as "worthy". We must be the Lee equivalent users of Jeeps I guess.

The Skyjackers were mentioned on that forum but not too positively.

[Lloyd Smale]

I run Bilstein 5100s on mine and duel steering stabilizer shocks. It helps but its still a short wheel base jeep. Mines a 2015 and like was said if you think your 10 is bad try the same road with a tj or worse yet a yj. Best ride with mine is with the bilsteens and the tires aired down to about 22 psi. I leave the set at that all the time unless I know im going on a long trip where im conserned about fuel economy. Make sure to that when you buy tires you buy 4 ply instead of 6 or 8. Ive got 6ply 34s on mine and they definitely ride stiffer then the 4 plys did. I went that way because I do some nasty stuff in the woods and wanted 2ply sidewalls. About the only real cure is to slow down or buy a longer wheel base 4 door. To be honest I drive it and shake my head. Ive had jeeps since the cjs in the 70s and this thing rides like a caddy compared to past generations. I amazes me till after a couple weeks of driving it I hop in my silveardo. Then the reality check happens.

[elk hunter]

As a Wrangler owner and the guy who has to grade the roads in our range complex the best advice I can give anyone driving over washboards is to slow down. Driving even moderately fast over washboard roads is making the road situation worse and not doing your vehicle any good.

[Idaho45guy]

I researched on a JK forum as it is the correct model and that is where some were recommending the Rancho 9000's. Thanks for warning me about them as I suspected the off-road types would not understand their needs are not what "normal" people need. One guy who posted the same question got a lot of ridicule and bashing so I doubt they view "normal" people who have a Jeep as "worthy". We must be the Lee equivalent users of Jeeps I guess.

The Skyjackers were mentioned on that forum but not too positively.

I ran into the same thing on one of the forums. Jeep owners can be quite tribal and snooty.

The 9000xl is an adjustable shock and most have theirs set to the lowest setting, which means it is basically a 5000 series shock. Softer the better for a Jeep. Lower the tire pressure to mid-20's, don't run an E-rated tire with stiff sidewalls, should be better.

The good thing is that Jeeps retain their value, at least around here, so once you find out just how awful they are as daily drivers, you can pawn them off on the next sucker trying to regain their youthfulness through a vehicle purchase.

[Rick Hodges]

My experience is with an old '79 CJ-7. Yep, 258-6 and leaf springs. I put a new glass body on it, all new bushings stock Monroe shocks, steering stabilizer, one piece rear axles, the whole nine yards. I ran 30"-9.50's on it and the best thing I did for ride quality was buy aluminum wheels. Lowering unsprung weight helped the ride. Helped....I also ran Chevy PU bucket seats and the damned thing still about beat me to death on the run to the UP and back.
Washboard roads are a challenge even in long wheelbase full sized pu's with weight in them. Slowing down is the best answer.

[MaryB]

They are doing road construction on the road in front of my house. So right now it is washboard gravel. At 30mph my F-150 was side hopping... back of the truck wanted to pass the front! Have to do 20mph!

[Lloyd Smale]

funny, ive drove them for 40 years and never thought they made me look young. Matter of fact about 90 percent of them are sold to the 20 some crowd. What I find is the ones our age that have them have them because they actually go in the woods, shoot guns and kill things to eat. People that for the most part don't get to conserned about a caddy like ride, or prius like gas mileage, or porche power. we know that there are compromises. But nothing else made is better at driving 50 miles down the interstate, another 20 on rural roads to get to camp and when you get there you can go about anywhere an atv goes. Try that in your prius or f150. Its almost like a side by side that you can use as a second vehicle for the family and it is just as good at running for grocerys as it is climbing in the mountains.

They do hold there value though. Probably better then about any other vehicle. Why? Because you don't see 10 used ones on the dealers lot. Not to many tire of them and buy a prius to replace it. Most that are sold are sold privately and the dealer never gets a crack at them and if they are trade there traded for another jeep and those dealers have lists of people who are looking for used ones. Last one I had before this jk was 2000 tj. I paid 6 k for it in 2012. It was a stripped 4 cyl unit. I drove it till 17 put 40k on it and could have got my 6k back in a second but decided to give it to the granddaughter. I bought this 15 used with 10k on it for 22k in spring of 17. It now his 40k on it and last time I was in for service the dealer offered me what I paid for it. He said hed give it to me in cash and let me have him and the other jeep dealer in the area compete to sell me a new one. Sticker on that one new (its a willys addition) was just over 30k. It was bought mid summer of 14. Now tell me how many vehicles of any kind (other then Harleys years ago) could you buy for 30k drive for 5 years and loose only 8 grand. Give you an example the other way. I bought my 17 Silverado and it was giving me problems. Told the wife I might just go trade it on an 18. It was just about one year old to the day I bought in. It had 11k on it and was mint. I payed 46k for it and the dealers best offer was 32 on a trade. Said he had a parking lot full of used trucks. He really didn't even want it.
I ran into the same thing on one of the forums. Jeep owners can be quite tribal and snooty.

The 9000xl is an adjustable shock and most have theirs set to the lowest setting, which means it is basically a 5000 series shock. Softer the better for a Jeep. Lower the tire pressure to mid-20's, don't run an E-rated tire with stiff sidewalls, should be better.

The good thing is that Jeeps retain their value, at least around here, so once you find out just how awful they are as daily drivers, you can pawn them off on the next sucker trying to regain their youthfulness through a vehicle purchase.

[Idaho45guy]

What I find is the ones our age that have them have them because they actually go in the woods, shoot guns and kill things to eat. People that for the most part don't get to conserned about a caddy like ride, or prius like gas mileage, or porche power. we know that there are compromises. But nothing else made is better at driving 50 miles down the interstate, another 20 on rural roads to get to camp and when you get there you can go about anywhere an atv goes. Try that in your prius or f150. Its almost like a side by side that you can use as a second vehicle for the family and it is just as good at running for grocerys as it is climbing in the mountains.



It really depends on where you live.

In my region, most roads that are open in the mountains can be navigated with my 2005 Yukon. The majority of roads in the woods are gated off by either the Forest Service or the timber companies. They leave an opening at the gate 50" wide to allow ATVs to get around them for access. Hence, anything wider than 50" is heavily restricted.

That's why a few ATV makers have come out with 50" wide side by sides.

I had an `89 Jeep YJ a couple of years ago and when heading into the woods, discovered that I couldn't go where I wanted to go and that I would be better off with a 50" side by side. So, I bought a new 2018 Honda Pioneer 500 for $10k. Sold the Jeep for $50 more than I paid for it a year earlier.

I see a bunch of people driving the bigger side by sides and I wonder what they are thinking. So far this year running deep into the mountains, I've encountered two other side by sides on the trails and both were the Polaris 570 Razors, which are 50" machines.

All the other giant side by sides are seen on the gravel and dirt roads as I pass them by in my Yukon towing the Pioneer to the trailhead, only they are covered in dirt and hot and sweaty, lol.

I agree that a well-equipped Jeep makes a lot of sense for back country exploring in other areas, but out here, there are few roads where you can actually use their capability.

My Pioneer at an old lookout site where no Jeep or bigger side by side can get to...

245386

[dverna]

I sold my Polaris Ranger and RZR to buy the Jeep. I can go just about anywhere in the Jeep that I travelled with the SxS's plus I have A/C, heat, wipers and a cab. Nice to run a few trails and go into town for a meal or shop on a whim without having to go home to change vehicle.

Love the thing...except for the ride on washboard roads.

I am going to lower the air pressure to 30 PSI and see how it goes. I have Yokohama Geolander tires on it.

[Petrol & Powder]

As has been pointed out, all Jeeps are not created equal.
There's a huge difference between a CJ, YJ, TJ & JK.

The YJ's were the last of the leaf spring models and the TJ's were the last of the 4.0 liter straight six.

[flyingmonkey35]

he can fix it.https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190718/540f21d05389c064c3e98f5e5bfd45a2.jpg

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

[Lloyd Smale]

Sold the razor still have the jeep and then grizzly if that tells you anything. Now silly rules like that up here so if it will fit road or no road, trail or no trail, I can take my jeep. If im at camp and have to get into something tighter the grizzlys left there. Couldn't see 15k for a side by side that the only advantage over the griz was my wife or dog could come along on the two or three times a year I cant get my jeep into where I want to go. Had the razor for two years and put less then a 1000 miles on it. Mostly taking the dog to the beach and I could have done that easily in the jeep. The jeep has a huge advantage in that it is my day to day transportation. I can drive to camp and then go in the woods. I can pick up grocerys or drive to texas if I want. Side by side cant go anywhere a 4 wheeler cant go. As a matter of fact not even as many places as a 4 wheeler will go. My brother in law showed up to camp last year with a new honda 4 seat sidexside. He parked it next to my 2 door jk and difference were measured in inches. he had to buy a BIG trailer just to haul it to camp. Just don't see the sense in something like that. I drove mine there with the radio playing and the ac on right down the highway. Maybe a 50 inch side by side but anymore there pretty rare.
I sold my Polaris Ranger and RZR to buy the Jeep. I can go just about anywhere in the Jeep that I travelled with the SxS's plus I have A/C, heat, wipers and a cab. Nice to run a few trails and go into town for a meal or shop on a whim without having to go home to change vehicle.

Love the thing...except for the ride on washboard roads.

I am going to lower the air pressure to 30 PSI and see how it goes. I have Yokohama Geolander tires on it.

[dverna]

Took air pressure down to 30 psi. The last time I took it in for service they pumped them up to 45 PSI (morons) and I never checked them!!! No wonder it drove rough! It helped alot, but now the TPMS idiot light is on...no biggy.

Thinking about new shocks.

[David2011]

Had an idiot at a lube shop put 32 psi in my car tires. He told me that the tire pressure placard in the door frame only applied to the original tires and replacement tires had to be inflated to the maximum pressure shown on the sidewalls. They’re everywhere.

[Idaho45guy]

Had an idiot at a lube shop put 32 psi in my car tires. He told me that the tire pressure placard in the door frame only applied to the original tires and replacement tires had to be inflated to the maximum pressure shown on the sidewalls. They’re everywhere.

I used to commute 150 miles a day to work in Arizona in everything from a new Ford Fusion to a Harley Road King. With the cars, I always ran max air pressure and it resulted in a couple of miles per gallon increase.

Every time I took it to the dealer for an oil change and service, I had to increase the tire pressure when I got home.

[Lloyd Smale]

try 20psi. My buddy has ran a set of bfg ats on his tj for 50k and they were never up over 20 and wore just fine. Kind of odd. Jeep gives you a way to defeat the seat belt chime because they know some don't wear them in the woods but they don't give a way to defeat the tire pressure alarms when they know many air down when they go off road.
Took air pressure down to 30 psi. The last time I took it in for service they pumped them up to 45 PSI (morons) and I never checked them!!! No wonder it drove rough! It helped alot, but now the TPMS idiot light is on...no biggy.

Thinking about new shocks.

[dverna]

I have been wondering why Jeep has a 35 psi specification. It is not like they will ever carry any significant load. Gas mileage is of little consequence with the mileage I put on and type of driving I do with it. If it drops from 19 to 17 mpg I will pay $125-150 a year more for fuel. Tire wear might be a factor depending on the tire used but cannot determine without trying it. It gets some highway use so safety is a concern, but I do not cruise it at 80 mph either.

BTW, had another roof bolt drop out yesterday. That makes two bolts and one of large 'T" bolts for the top that have backed out in the last few months.

I will drop tire pressure to 25 psi and see how it does.

[Ted Tompkins]

Slip that Jeep into 4 wheel drive on washboard roads. You will be surprised how much it helps.

[merlin101]

Took air pressure down to 30 psi. The last time I took it in for service they pumped them up to 45 PSI (morons) and I never checked them!!! No wonder it drove rough! It helped alot, but now the TPMS idiot light is on...no biggy.

Thinking about new shocks.

The dealer or a good mechanic can plug into your computer and change the parameters so that light will go out yet still function.

[Petrol & Powder]

Tire pressure is more about the tires than the vehicle the tires are on.

I'm a fan of inflating the tires as much as possible (within the allowed limits) until the contact patch starts to get smaller. That point is almost always higher than the rating posted on the vehicle.

The goal is to get the least amount of rolling resistance and stiffest sidewall, while maintaining the largest possible contact patch on the ground. Using chalk or a slowly driving through water to check the contact patch helps you see when you're getting close to the ideal pressure.

Operating in deep sand is the exception but other than that, I generally run them well above the vehicle manufacturers limit and below the tire's max pressure rating.

[dverna]

Tire pressure is more about the tires than the vehicle the tires are on.

I'm a fan of inflating the tires as much as possible (within the allowed limits) until the contact patch starts to get smaller. That point is almost always higher than the rating posted on the vehicle.

The goal is to get the least amount of rolling resistance and stiffest sidewall, while maintaining the largest possible contact patch on the ground. Using chalk or a slowly driving through water to check the contact patch helps you see when you're getting close to the ideal pressure.

Operating in deep sand is the exception but other than that, I generally run them well above the vehicle manufacturers limit and below the tire's max pressure rating.

Let me guess....you have never operated a Jeep on bad roads....

[Petrol & Powder]

Let me guess....you have never operated a Jeep on bad roads....

I have operated many vehicles off road, including Jeeps.

I'm not interested in ride quality, I'm interested in the tire staying on the wheel. That doesn't preclude airing down the tires when the conditions require.

[Larry Gibson]

Less tire psi, softer shocks and use 4 wheel drive.....and go slow...

On my 4th jeep (05 Wrangler) with coil springs. Other 3 had leaf springs. Also driven many M151s gun jeeps with coil springs in Army scout sections.

And...keep Preparation H handy...

[GregLaROCHE]

Access to my house is by a mile of a logging road. The quality often changes, but is never good. I’m not currently driving anything 4X4 at this time. However, 4X4 or 4X2, tires make a big difference, especially with side slip. Make sure to have tires designed for at least partial off road use. They make more noise on paved roads and wear out faster, but for me they’ve always been worth it, even for two wheel drives. Helps in the mud and snow too.

Ever notice how a bad road feels smoother going down grade versus up?

[uscra112]

I ran into the same thing on one of the forums. Jeep owners can be quite tribal and snooty.


LOL! It's your Jeep thing, and no, I don't understand.

Ran a high-mileage '89 Cherokee that I was gifted into the ground, circa 2007-2009. Have never had a desire for another. Don't let me get started.

I now drive a 4WD F150 as my "farm truck". Yes, engaging the front axle helps a lot on washboards around my AO, but going fast is still dumb. There's a steep, winding gravel road near me that the jacked-up jeepsters like to "power" up. It of course washboards like crazy, and a coupla years ago some one of them got so sideways doing it that he went over the bank and flip-flopped down about 50-60 yards, flattening the brush until he got into the the bigger trees. Never did hear if he survived or not. Jeep stayed there for a couple of weeks until somebody figured out how to get it out of there.

So yeah, engage your 4WD and just take it easy. There's no magic suspension tweak that'll turn that washboard into the back stretch at Talladega.

[dverna]

I never thought about putting it in 4 WD. Worth a shot.

[Lloyd Smale]

those big knobs tend to work loose. I got a wrench for them from some 4x4 parts place and it does a much better job of getting them tight then you do by hand.

weve been told for years that airing down wears out tires prematurely but you have to keep in mind your not talking the weight of a 3/4 ton truck your talking a jeep. Airing mine down to 25 doesn't even make them look like there bulging.
I have been wondering why Jeep has a 35 psi specification. It is not like they will ever carry any significant load. Gas mileage is of little consequence with the mileage I put on and type of driving I do with it. If it drops from 19 to 17 mpg I will pay $125-150 a year more for fuel. Tire wear might be a factor depending on the tire used but cannot determine without trying it. It gets some highway use so safety is a concern, but I do not cruise it at 80 mph either.

BTW, had another roof bolt drop out yesterday. That makes two bolts and one of large 'T" bolts for the top that have backed out in the last few months.

I will drop tire pressure to 25 psi and see how it does.

[Lloyd Smale]

ive been in some pretty hairy place and have been buried to the top of the hood in mud and never had a tire come off the rim. What most hard core jeep guys do is use beadlocks so they can air down. Most of us are professional rock crawlers were just guys going hunting or to camp. The likely hood of a tire coming off a rim is minute and the 200 bucks it would cost to replace is a heck of a lot cheaper then a set of new shocks, stearing stabilizer, ball joints sway bar links. tie rod ends and wheel bearings that all take a beating when your tires are over inflated. Personaly im 62 and my flying through the air days are over. After 6 back operations ride is the most important thing in choosing my vehicles. I went from a tj to a jk because I road in one one day. Told myself right there that id have one and did in less then a month. If they came out with some technology that made the jk ride like my Silverado id be at the dealership tomorrow to trade it in. Look at snowmobiles atvs side by sides and about anything that has a motor in it and what are the biggest advancements made? Suspension improvements. Your one of very few that don't mind getting beat up all day.
I have operated many vehicles off road, including Jeeps.

I'm not interested in ride quality, I'm interested in the tire staying on the wheel. That doesn't preclude airing down the tires when the conditions require.

[uscra112]

In my motorcycle roadracing days I learned a trick that can replace beadlocks. Lubricate the bead with castor oil. (we used Castrol R in the engines, so it was always around). Beads went on slick as a whistle. The R would soften the rubber, but only temporarily. After 24 hours or so the bead was virtually glued to the rim. Getting 'em UNglued was a hassle, but it saved a bit of weight and made the wheels much easier to balance.