Front end vibration help

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trialanderror

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04. I replaced my front drive shaft recently and I was hoping to fix a front end vibration. Well that vibration was fixed but now I have a new or newly noticed vibration. Replaced shocks And springs and most front end component about 4 years ago when I purchase the Jeep. The current vibration is very noticeable from 40 mph up. If I turn to pass the vibration goes away for a moment but no play when I check For slop on wheel bearing. Rotated tires no change. Please help
David
 

tommudd

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Little more information would be most helpful. Such as year, how many miles on it
How many miles you drive per year etc
But first, have you checked the right side CV and Intermediate shaft ?
They can wear out and cause similar issues as to what you are describing
also just a not if you drive say 15-20,000 miles a year, then springs and shocks are done for anyways since stock type springs and shocks are end of their life by 60-65,000 miles
( stock springs are too weak and stock type shocks are junk )
Did you rebuild the front driveshaft or replace the whole thing with new ?
 

trialanderror

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Year 04. Mileage 188,000
Less than 20,000 miles on front end components
i have not checked right side cv I’ll research that thanks. I replaced shocks bilstein and old man emu Heavy Springs
Replaced front drive shaft.
Thanks David
 

tommudd

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When replacing the CV, ALWAYS , ALWAYS replace the Intermediate Shaft as well
if one or the other is worn any at all it will cause the other to go bad way quicker
 

Doing10to20

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Is the vibration in the steering wheel? Or do you feel it in the seat? If in steering wheel could be needs a balancing or you got a bent wheel, in the seat could something more involved like a wheel bearing ect.
 

trialanderror

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Is the vibration in the steering wheel? Or do you feel it in the seat? If in steering wheel could be needs a balancing or you got a bent wheel, in the seat could something more involved like a wheel bearing ect.


The best way I can describe it as under the engine. The first vibration from the bad Front drive shaft was directly under me and It did shake the seat and foot pedals however this vibration is in front of the passenger compartment and the steering wheel is very calm almost no vibration. It drives true on the hi way suspension works great.
 

Doing10to20

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The best way I can describe it as under the engine. The first vibration from the bad Front drive shaft was directly under me and It did shake the seat and foot pedals however this vibration is in front of the passenger compartment and the steering wheel is very calm almost no vibration. It drives true on the hi way suspension works great.


Damn...stupid question but did you put the clip back in when you replaced the cv shaft? I speak from experience not ashamed to admit it but I forgot the clip,then go vibration then got clanking
 

trialanderror

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Damn...stupid question but did you put the clip back in when you replaced the cv shaft? I speak from experience not ashamed to admit it but I forgot the clip,then go vibration then got clanking


Great question Because I don’t know what clip you are referring to. I purchased a new front drive shaft (full complete shaft) when I replaced it the only thing I remember are the 2 outside u shaped washer type thing with 4 bolt holes. thanks for your help
 

Doing10to20

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Great question Because I don’t know what clip you are referring to. I purchased a new front drive shaft (full complete shaft) when I replaced it the only thing I remember are the 2 outside u shaped washer type thing with 4 bolt holes. thanks for your help

Well if you removed the cv shafts theres a clip that goes from that cv to the center shaft keeps them in locked so they work properly ,when I replaced my passenger side cv I assumed the clip was already on the new cv and nobody thought to check and well it wasnt,had to use my old one once i realized the mistake,your issues reminded me of the issues I was having so figured I'd mention my experience
 

trialanderror

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Well if you removed the cv shafts theres a clip that goes from that cv to the center shaft keeps them in locked so they work properly ,when I replaced my passenger side cv I assumed the clip was already on the new cv and nobody thought to check and well it wasnt,had to use my old one once i realized the mistake,your issues reminded me of the issues I was having so figured I'd mention my experience


Ok thanks We might be talking about different things I only changed the front drive shaft from the transmission to the front differential. Sorry if I’m using the wrong term.
 

Doing10to20

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Ok thanks We might be talking about different things I only changed the front drive shaft from the transmission to the front differential. Sorry if I’m using the wrong term.
All good I thought I read you was messing around with cv shafts, somebody else mention them smh I gotta keep track of the messages better
 

trialanderror

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Ok thanks We might be talking about different things I only changed the front drive shaft from the transmission to the front differential. Sorry if I’m using the wrong term.


No worries
Another member said that the vibration might be a Front CV shaft so that is what I’ll investigate this weekend
Thanks
 

Doing10to20

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No worries
Another member said that the vibration might be a Front CV shaft so that is what I’ll investigate this weekend
Thanks
Right on man,let me know because I always some kind of vibrations haha..so I'm always interested in finding out what somebody else found, I'm always chasing it i fix one thing then it's another
 
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Year 04. Mileage 188,000
Less than 20,000 miles on front end components
i have not checked right side cv I’ll research that thanks. I replaced shocks bilstein and old man emu Heavy Springs
Replaced front drive shaft.
Thanks David

You're talking about a vibration right around 35-45MPH, and around 1,300-1,600 RPM's correct?

Does the vibration happen in any other speeds? Or only in this range?

Have you tried removing the front driveshaft completely and seeing if the vibration is still there?

Does the vibration start when you keep the engine at a constant speed/RPM, but stop once you let off the gas?
 

trialanderror

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Yes the vibration goes away when I let off the gas or go down a hill. speed range is 35 to 65 mph and any acceleration above 2000 rpm

haven’t tried removing front drive shaft
 
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Yes the vibration goes away when I let off the gas or go down a hill. speed range is 35 to 65 mph and any acceleration above 2000 rpm

haven’t tried removing front drive shaft

I'm having a similar issue, and I keep replacing/fixing things till it stops.

Honestly thinking my transmission is going bad and developing a shimmy.
 

XWrench3

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I'm going to throw something out there, that someone with experience with these newer engines will have to answer. are these engines externally balanced like some of the late 70's Chrysler v-8's were? one of my old Mopar's threw the balance weight that was spot welded to the torque converter, and it vibrated at specific engine speeds. luckily it did not take a lot of diagnostic work, or work to repair it. the weight was at the bottom of the inspection pan, and my dad was a welder. if these engines are balanced like that, it's possible that could be the problem.
 

Rich Jennings

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Right on man,let me know because I always some kind of vibrations haha..so I'm always interested in finding out what somebody else found, I'm always chasing it i fix one thing then it's another
I have a 2006 Liberty and right after having the trans serviced, I had a terrible vibration I thought was from the rear. No bad parts and what I discovered that two tubes of "shudder fix" into the trans stopped the vibration 100%. I seems that the stuff in the torque converter that creates friction, was drained out. This stuff really works!
 

mercdudecbr600

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I suspect your front inner cv joints. Check those for slop, there should be almost none.

Napa has new lifetime cv axles for fairly cheap and I found that my intermediate shaft had no perceivable wear even after 135k miles so I just reused it. You will have to remove everything except lower control arms to get them out so make sure you check them first.
 

CrazyDrei

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04. I replaced my front drive shaft recently and I was hoping to fix a front end vibration. Well that vibration was fixed but now I have a new or newly noticed vibration. Replaced shocks And springs and most front end component about 4 years ago when I purchase the Jeep. The current vibration is very noticeable from 40 mph up. If I turn to pass the vibration goes away for a moment but no play when I check For slop on wheel bearing. Rotated tires no change. Please help
David

trialanderror,

Any luck figuring out where the vibration is coming from or getting it fixed? Also is it a "vibration" or a "death wobble"

Usually vibrations are caused by anything that is spinning. I would start with pulling the front drive shaft out that you replaced. Drive around and see if that changes anything.

Inspect front differential mounts. Inspect engine and transmission mounts. Inspect cross members.

You checked the wheel hubs by lifting the Jeep and trying to wiggle them. Also check the ball joints while you have it up. Check upper and lower control arm bushings. Rotate tires front to rear, this would tell you if the wheels themselves are causing the vibration.

Going in deeper, pull out the CV axles and drive around.

Lastly the strut shocks. If you are running OME heavy springs, they put more strain on the shocks. Either replace them or just pick up a set of eBay struts for $100 and drive around with them for a day see if that fixes the vibration. If it does you can get correct new struts for you OME springs and keep the el cheappos as a diagnostic/emergency set.

All the above was listed from easiest to most difficult, from least time consuming to most time consuming and from least expensive to most expensive.

Good luck, hope this helps.
 

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