Hello my name is Kyle. I own a 2017 jeep compass front wheel drive only, 120,000 miles, no codes on my car.
I have been having this problem for a long time now and have put in thousands into it and nothing is working. I have new calipers, rotors, pads, struts/shocks, bearings, control arms (I believe only one has been replaced a second time) I just rotated tires, I’m out of ideas. I’ve had 2 shops (Belle tire/ A local shop by the name of Alex’s automotive) look at my car and it’s obvious they are playing a guessing game as to why my steering wheel is shaking. I obviously don’t know what is going on. Alex’s told me it was my brake lines and my rotors were warped. So I went to Belle tire to get my rotors and pads done since I had a warranty and they said my brake lines are good and that it’s a jeep thing (Death wobble). Idk who to believe. Belle tire replaced my calipers a while ago because the drivers side seized up. It was smoking when I got off the freeway to get home. It shakes the worst at around 50 mph. I may as well buy a new car at this point. I’d like to say my tie rods or sway bar. I don’t really know at this point but with everything I’ve done to this car it may as well be a new one lol. I don’t want to guess anymore and my wallet isn’t happy with me.
I have videos of the steering wheel shaking but idk how to upload to here on mobile.
Need more info. Does it shake all the time, or only while braking? Did you try having an alignment done?
@imperator It shakes most of the time. Some days it isn’t as bad but it does it pretty regularly. I haven’t had an alignment done recently I guess I could do it. But even after I’ve had an alignment done it would still shake. I am the only owner of the car I have had fender benders but nothing serious. My headlight works but broke off the mount and a dent from a truck I bumped into years ago.
they said my brake lines are good and that it’s a jeep thing (Death wobble)
It sounds like they don't know even the basics about different Jeep models. Death wobble (aka "shimmy") is something that vehicles with solid front axles are prone to when suspension components wear. In fact I had a pretty bad front-end wobble when hitting bumps in my 1999 Cherokee until replacing the track rod - a common issue.
However the Compass has independent suspension, not solid axles like an old Cherokee, so that "jeep thing" doesn't really apply. (The Compass is certainly not the most reliable vehicle around but unlike solid-axle Jeeps they are not particularly known for "death wobble".)
Did you buy that thing new or used? Has it ever been in a wreck? You rotated the tires but did you have them checked for balance and defects? What you really need is to go to a good chassis shop that will actually diagnose the problem instead of throwing parts at it.
I have videos of the steering wheel shaking but idk how to upload to here on mobile.
See the topic posted conspicuously near the top of the main page titled "READ THIS FIRST - Forum Guide" for instructions on photos, videos, and much more. Though just seeing the wheel shake is not likely to tell us much. This is a problem that is going to require hands-on diagnosis.
Scotty is currently in Rhode Island and I believe he will be returning to Clarksboro, Tennessee in August. If you are anywhere near those locations you can contact him for an appointment. (Instructions are in the site FAQ.)
@chucktobias I am the only owner of the vehicle. I’ve had 2 fender benders front end. One that busted the mounts for my headlight passenger side. And the other just a dent. It’s been a minute since I got a tire balance and checked for defects and an alignment so I’ll get that done soon since it’s not costly.