Hi, As the title says I have a vibration that starts when i reach exactly 50 mph. then dies down around 58 mph. the steering wheels jumps up and down and the jeep shakes at this speed. this is a fairly new (last few weeks) problem that has recently come up. any ideas as to the problem and the fix. the jeep is bone stock.
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50 mph vibrations, any ideas
- Thread starter ThE HiV
- Start date
joe_peters
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Grants Pass, OryGun
Been in any mud holes lately? You could have some mud stuck to the backside of a wheel.
Check your wheels and see if it looks like you have thrown a weight.
Check your front suspension/steering components.
Check your wheels and see if it looks like you have thrown a weight.
Check your front suspension/steering components.
SanDiegoOverland
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- San Diego
probably a wheel weight or tire related issue. I think that mostly because it sounds like it started "all of a sudden". Spin balancing the tires is probably the most cost effective/easiest thing to try.
I had the same type of issue @ 50mph, but it basically started with the install of a set of wheels. Having recently swapped out the older existing tires, with new goodyear wranglers, the problem is completely gone.
I had the same type of issue @ 50mph, but it basically started with the install of a set of wheels. Having recently swapped out the older existing tires, with new goodyear wranglers, the problem is completely gone.
rocknxj
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Clinton, Utah (SLC area)
I've heard of this. Ended up being a worn driveshaft u-joint that progressively worsened until it failed. I swore it was a wheel weight at first.
POSJ
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Minot ND, Unfortunately
Had this same issue and it was a wheel weight, mine vibed from 43-46 mph's.
old_man
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Loveland, Colorado
My experience is that any vibes over 50mph tend to be drive shaft related.
Electrichorseman
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Central New Jersey
Missing wheel weight will cause the vibration but a worn steering damper will make it worse. Check the damper it should have resistance on the in and out travel.
SanDiegoOverland
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- San Diego
heyhar
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- PA (near Poconos)
I had a similar 'balance' problem for a little while, speed dependent, but after a while, I started getting the jerky steering wheel while parking. Turns out the axle u-joints were starting to bind. After I replaced them, it was like a free wheel balance.
Unrelated to the u-joints, about a year later, the vehicle started to have wheel balance problems again. I had them balanced at three different well respected shops, all with the same results. Turns out three of the matched set were out of round, one pretty badly. All of the shops said they watched them while they were on the machine, and nothing seemed out of the ordinary. They had about 30k miles on then, were wearing great, and looked almost new. I took off a rear wheel, and one by one installed the tires and let them spin at idle (don't try this with LSD!), and it was readily apparent what the problem was. I replaced them, and the Jeep has never been smoother! I had a highly regarded front-end shop tell me that those particular tires will never go out of round, which is why I was going nuts looking at everything else.
I guess what I'm trying to say is to keep looking. Any little problem, especially on a solid axle front-end, can manifest itself as a number of other problems. Lately, when we acquire another XJ, the first thing that happens is that almost all of the front end gets replaced, and we start from there.
Unrelated to the u-joints, about a year later, the vehicle started to have wheel balance problems again. I had them balanced at three different well respected shops, all with the same results. Turns out three of the matched set were out of round, one pretty badly. All of the shops said they watched them while they were on the machine, and nothing seemed out of the ordinary. They had about 30k miles on then, were wearing great, and looked almost new. I took off a rear wheel, and one by one installed the tires and let them spin at idle (don't try this with LSD!), and it was readily apparent what the problem was. I replaced them, and the Jeep has never been smoother! I had a highly regarded front-end shop tell me that those particular tires will never go out of round, which is why I was going nuts looking at everything else.
I guess what I'm trying to say is to keep looking. Any little problem, especially on a solid axle front-end, can manifest itself as a number of other problems. Lately, when we acquire another XJ, the first thing that happens is that almost all of the front end gets replaced, and we start from there.
rocknxj
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Clinton, Utah (SLC area)
Happened on my kid's Jeep (100K XJ) after a hard acceleration. Baffled us for a month. U-joint finally went after an 8 hour trail ride. Replaced it at the camp ground and was smooth as a baby's butt after that.
