Bad shocks aren't usually a primary cause of Jeep death wobble, but they can make it worse. Death wobble comes from worn suspension and steering components — mainly the track bar, ball joints, and tie rod ends — that let the front axle oscillate. Worn shocks reduce damping, making death wobble episodes more violent.
Think of it this way: the worn steering components are what allow the wobble to start; the shocks are part of what stops it from getting out of control. When your shocks are healthy, they help absorb the initial bump and settle the suspension before a wobble can fully develop. When they're worn, that dampening and settling effect is reduced, and a wobble that might have damped out quickly instead builds in intensity.
If your Jeep has high mileage and you're dealing with death wobble, there's a reasonable chance the shocks are due for replacement alongside the primary steering components. A good inspection will flag them if they're past their useful life. Michigan roads — particularly after another rough winter — are hard on suspension components across the board. Hoover Street Auto Repair checks the full front end, including shocks, when diagnosing death wobble so you get a complete picture of what needs attention.