So I picked up an 04 TJ, 66,000 miles, short arm lift either 4 or 6 inches and an sye. It has 33's and when I first got it (an entire 600 miles ago) it was fine. NOW...its got a severe vibration from 25-45 mph, no matter what gear or engine rpm. I feel (and see) it through the steering wheel, dash, seats...but not the shifter. The vibration goes away when I let off the throttle even in that mph window, and when the jeep is in 4 wheel drive. I ended up pulling the stock front driveshaft off which obviously was not long enough and that fixed a squeak, but not the vibration. I then had the tires balanced, rotated them, and had an alignment done, they said nothing looked worn out...but I drove away and still had this horrible vibration. I also feel something hitting the underside of the jeep primairily when I turn, but I can't find anything loose that moves enough. I suspect that the rear u-joints and double cardon are worn, but I figured I'd feel that more through the shifter, not the steering, so I've been focused on the front, but i'm out of ideas. Please help...I dunno how much longer I'll be able to ride a motorcycle, it's gettin cold. Thank guys.
Just had the same exact symptoms and my rear u joint was shot, tranny mount was gone to but that didnt do anything for the vibration. I can almost garantee that is your prob. Mine would vibrate at 25 to 35 mph die out then come back at 60 and was rediculous from 60 out. The second you pushed the clutch in the vibration was gone. There was no vibration in the shifter but tons through the sterring wheel and front end. I was getting ready to pull the clutch when i pulled the rear driveshaft and noticed the redicolous amount of play in it. Thank god cause it was a 25 dollar fix instead of 200. I posted a thread labled powerfull vibrations. Let me know if that was it.
If i didn't think my front driveshaft would immediatly break I'd try it, though I should have a new one soon. So 06r1raven01tj, sounds like you had the same thing going, the rear u-joints were my first guess, so I guess I'll be doing those this week, I just never thought that would be noticed through the steering wheel. I've been reading all this stuff wbout track bars and death wobbles, but I'm gonna go with you and try the rear joints...I'll let ya know how it goes.
Why should it break?
You only drive on the road like a front wheel drive vehicle.
When your on a trial in 4L there´s much more stress on the front driveshaft..
For what it's worth you might try this: Lay beside the Jeep so that you can see the rear axle U joint while someone slowly pulls forward and then backwards. You're looking to see if the driveshaft lifts up and down at the axle housing. If it moves you better have it checked out. I didn't and now I'm buying a new one.
Yeah I got crazy vibration in the steering wheel. Funny when I twisted the rear driveshaft I dind't feel much play, when I pulled it off the needle bearings were powder. Simple job thought. two 8 mm screws hold the whole rear drive shaft in.
The sad thing about my axle is that we checked the fluid levels, tried twisting the shaft to check for movement in the u-joints, etc about a week before it went out. The shaft had no movement at all. After all of that the pinion seal started leaking while on a 200 mile trip and all the fluid leaked out. All of the inside parts of the axle were completely ruined. I finally saw what discovered the problem while I was laying down beside it in a parking lot at night. When my son pulled forward the whole rear driveshaft would move up and down. Same in reverse. Still with all that trouble I could grab the shaft while the Jeep was sitting still and get no movement at all. Just damn bad luck! (and $1200.00)
06raven was right, one u0joint and 15 minuttes of labor and all vibrations are gone, and there were no needles left in one of the cap of that u-joint...and for the record, I'm a dude, but like the guy above me said...the better the bait...
So, my only question before this post dies is when is barnum delivering his kiss to 06raven? Heck dude, he's in Vegas, and the saying goes; "what happens in Vegas..."
Post pics too. I'm sure we'll appreciate it (in a weird, train wreck kind of way).
Yeah no kiss here and ask OJ about that slogan everyone loves so much except us locals. Nice to only have to pay 24 bucks for a new u joint though.
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