TJ Vibration Help

[Daves]

Hi all, Need help with a vibration. To start, I have been wrenching and building cars for many years, this one has me stumped. I have a 2004 TJ sport. I bought it a few months ago mainly do to its rust free nature. It has 150k on it, 4.0, 5 speed. It has had the vibration since I got it so I will get into that now.

Vibration starts at exactly 62 mph. If I speed up, it may go away and smooth out beautifully, but then it comes back. I get under 60mph, and its as smooth as can be. I started by inspecting my steering and suspension and I will list what I have tried so far.

This Jeep is at Stock height, with faction sized tires like on the Rubicon. It was a special order with the 44 in the rear and 3:73's !!!

1. Control arm bushings were worn out. Replaced all bushings and control arms. (after replacing, vibration got so bad I could not drive it, was scary but had no steering wheel movement)

2. 2 bad ball joints. I replaced all 4 ball joints with Spicer.

3. 2 bad rod ends, replaced entire steering components with new. (MOOG PARTS)

4. Steering stabilizer was free to move without resistance, it had stops inside it, like it was hanging up really weird. Replaced stabilizer.

5. Replaced Axel U joints

6. Track bar was not real bad at the ball joint, replaced with new MOOG track Bar. mounting holes were good and tight.

7. Front drive shaft removed to test drive. Vibration issue still starting at 62mph. Drive shaft needed a rebuild badly, replaced with New tom Woods shaft.

8. Wheel bearings/hubs, brand new as well as brakes , rotors, and calipers. back brakes and drums also replaced.

9. Rear track bar checked, was in good shape but I replaced the bushings with new anyway.

10. All shocks replaced with Rancho 5000X

11. Actually the first thing I did was have the tires checked. They are new from the dealer I had bought the jeep from. I have actually had them checked twice. I have even rotated them to different locations and it hasnt helped.

12 Rear driveshaft checked, new u joints and had shaft balanced.

I have no idea where to go next. I think the only things left are the transmission and the transfer case. Could a bearing be bad causing too much runout and a vibration? I have no clue. Just so you all dont think I spent a ton chasing this, and Yes I am chasing now. I had intended to rebuild the entire jeep, but I want it smoooth driving lol Any ideas or where to go with this, my brain is now fried lol

Thanks all
Dave

 

[bobthetj03]

Can you explain in detail what the vibes feel like, the intensity, if they are cyclic like a sin wave, can they be felt in the steering wheel, seat, or floor boards? Have you removed the rear drive shaft and driven in 4hi with only the front shaft?

 

[Daves]

Can you explain in detail what the vibes feel like, the intensity, if they are cyclic like a sin wave, can they be felt in the steering wheel, seat, or floor boards? Have you removed the rear drive shaft and driven in 4hi with only the front shaft?

So right at 62, the vibration gradually come on. Feels like whole body.They almost seem cyclic. Steering wheel is steady as a rock, floor boards too. I have noticed some vibration in the gear shifter, but not in the transfer case shiftier. Its anoying at best, and sometimes rattles your teeth out. It will come on, slowly drift away, and when you think its gone, it comes back again.

 

[bobthetj03]

So right at 62, the vibration gradually come on. Feels like whole body.They almost seem cyclic. Steering wheel is steady as a rock, floor boards too. I have noticed some vibration in the gear shifter, but not in the transfer case shiftier. Its anoying at best, and sometimes rattles your teeth out. It will come on, slowly drift away, and when you think its gone, it comes back again.

So, you feel it in the seat then, and is it bad enough to rattle the rear view mirror so you can't see out of it? At this point it might be time to look at the rear axle bearings and both diffs for bearing damage as a possible culprit since you've basically replaced everything up front. Check the motor mounts and trany mount as well.

 

[psrivats]

So right at 62, the vibration gradually come on. Feels like whole body.They almost seem cyclic. Steering wheel is steady as a rock, floor boards too. I have noticed some vibration in the gear shifter, but not in the transfer case shiftier. Its anoying at best, and sometimes rattles your teeth out. It will come on, slowly drift away, and when you think its gone, it comes back again.

Take your rear driveshaft out. Drive your vehicle with front driveshaft only in 4hi. Report back if the vibes are better (or go away).

 

[bobthetj03]

Now you have two highly experienced vibration experts on your case! Lol!

 

[Daves]

Now you have two highly experienced vibration experts on your case! Lol!

Yes I, removed rear shaft. Vibration still there. I did however make an appointment with a fire store near me that has the pressure balancing. Suppose to be able to tell if the tire and or rim is out of round

 

[RaymondT]

Sounds pretty familiar. I've done all that and more without a resolution. And from all the reading, there's never a common cause. I might try new body mounts and hardtop seals next as looseness in the body might amplify issues with the tires - which are never perfect despite balancing, size, and brand. The intensity of the vibrations are never the same even on the same day. Temperature seems to effect it but more than just the tire pressure. The wind over the hard top could even be a factor.

 

[BettyWhite06LJ]

I am having a similar issue myself. Pulled my front DS and vibration went away. Took it to my local shop and they rebuilt it. Put everything back together and still vibration is still there. I have checked pinion angle etc and I am either dead on to maybe a 1/2 degree or so down. Nothing that I think should cause the vibration. Had tires balanced as well. Mine is more a wave vibration that is pretty consistent at 65-70 mph. Under 60 is smooth as glass.

 

[Chris]

Paging @psrivats

 

[TJ4Jim]

Do you have any friends with a TJ or similar 5x4.5 rims/tires you could swap for a test ride. At least it would help eliminate that aspect.

 

[psrivats]

Paging @psrivats

Reporting for duty

I am having a similar issue myself. Pulled my front DS and vibration went away. Took it to my local shop and they rebuilt it. Put everything back together and still vibration is still there. I have checked pinion angle etc and I am either dead on to maybe a 1/2 degree or so down. Nothing that I think should cause the vibration. Had tires balanced as well. Mine is more a wave vibration that is pretty consistent at 65-70 mph. Under 60 is smooth as glass.

The easiest and the quickest fix for this is front locking hubs. You can chase down all the different parts of the drivetrain for balance/tolerances/wear and tear and it's a never ending rabbit hole. I and several others here have broken our heads trying to figure out why the vibration goes away in some cases without the front driveshaft in place. There is still no clear answer.

Yes I, removed rear shaft. Vibration still there. I did however make an appointment with a fire store near me that has the pressure balancing. Suppose to be able to tell if the tire and or rim is out of round

Sorry to hear that .. and having gone through months of chasing down a vibration similar to yours .. I strongly recommend finding a GOOD driveline specialty shop and taking your rig there. They have diagnostic hardware and software that will better help pinpoint the vibration more than what we can do in our garages. You have already checked everything that anyone here would have recommended. Everything in the drivetrain will have to be systematically and thoroughly checked and sadly, even with all that, you may still not cure it completely. I got lucky with mine (see my giant vibration thread) but it took a lot of time, money and patience.

 

[BettyWhite06LJ]

The easiest and the quickest fix for this is front locking hubs. You can chase down all the different parts of the drivetrain for balance/tolerances/wear and tear and it's a never ending rabbit hole. I and several others here have broken our heads trying to figure out why the vibration goes away in some cases without the front driveshaft in place. There is still no clear answer.

You may be right. I will probably have close to the price of a conversion kit sunk into this rabbit hole before it is all said and done. May be cheaper to invest in a good ratchet strap and just disconnect the front DS and slap it to the frame rail when not in use, lol.

 

[bobthetj03]

As an experiment, try lowering the t-case skid a little at a time and test drive. Go 1/4" increments with washers and longer bolts.

 

[Daves]

TJ vibration gone: Update



For those of you that responded to my post of my TJ vibration at 62mph and up, well the vibration issue is fixed. After rebuilding the entire suspension and steering, driveshafts, bearings, and having wheels balanced twice, it turned out to be two bad tires. How did I finally find it you ask? I was reading about a different way to balance problem wheels. It’s a method called “Road Force Balancing”. The Machine simulates the road and tells you if the tire, or wheel, or both are bad. Then it tells you if you can rotate the tire on the rim to make it work. Well I had two tires that came out bad from the factory. One they replaced, the other they were able to rotate the tire on the rim to get it in spec. It’s not so much a balance issue as it is an out of round defect from the manufacturer. Hope this helps someone else having and issue.