Vibration under acceleration

jpsageusa

jpsageusa

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Oak Harbor, WA
So I am just throwing this out there! I just bought a 2005 TJ automatic with 2" lift and 160,000 miles that has a vibration that I can feel in the steering wheel under acceleration and a wheel bearing whine when I let off the gas. The whine is barely perceptible but... It has been in two shops who have been happy to take my money (>$2000.00) but seem to be saying that "it's a Jeep after all."

It feels to me like the off-road vibration you get when you are in 4-wheel drive (it is not in 4-wheel drive). I am thinking of removing the front drive shaft to see if that changes anything.

We bought this to be our snow-bird vehicle that we tow behind our motorhome.

I guess I am asking if I am expecting too much from this old buggy?

John.
 
Please provide more details. Does the vibration occur at certain speeds? Have had tire balance checked?

Removing the front DS is a good idea to see if that changes anything.

I've never heard a wheel bearing "whine". They usually sort of rumble or vibrate and can usually be verified by increased noise turning one way or the other with reduced noise when turning the opposite way, increasing or decreasing or otherwise changing load on the bad bearing.

A whine is more typically caused by gears in the transmission or differential.

Spend some time reading threads on this forum and you'll probably learn a lot about your new-to-you TJ. Just keep in mind that it's basically 18 years old and depending on previous owners' diligence with maintenance, it may need some TLC to get it up to snuff for your desired usage. And there are some non-maintenance failure-prone items that you may want to address such as OPDA and PCM. Search the forum and you'll find plenty of info. This thread may be helpful:
https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/so-how-terrible-are-the-05-06-model-years-really.63489/
 
Can you post a pic of your rear drive shaft angle- if they did new control arms it is possible the rear pinion needs adjusted- it’s a Jeep is no excuse - a TJ is as mechanically sophisticated as a new Ford F350 as far as the driveline, steering and related parts -they are designed to drive fantastic, smooth and quiet.
 
Last edited:
g.hayduke said:
Please provide more details. Does the vibration occur at certain speeds? Have had tire balance checked?

Removing the front DS is a good idea to see if that changes anything.

I've never heard a wheel bearing "whine". They usually sort of rumble or vibrate and can usually be verified by increased noise turning one way or the other with reduced noise when turning the opposite way, increasing or decreasing or otherwise changing load on the bad bearing.

A whine is more typically caused by gears in the transmission or differential.

Spend some time reading threads on this forum and you'll probably learn a lot about your new-to-you TJ. Just keep in mind that it's basically 18 years old and depending on previous owners' diligence with maintenance, it may need some TLC to get it up to snuff for your desired usage. And there are some non-maintenance failure-prone items that you may want to address such as OPDA and PCM. Search the forum and you'll find plenty of info. This thread may be helpful:
https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/so-how-terrible-are-the-05-06-model-years-really.63489/
Click to expand...

I will read the tread but as for more details.
Work done:
- rebuilt rear differential
- rear drive shaft universals replaced
- transfer case o rings replaced
- transfer case 1" drop
- replace front cv joint and triple link seal ujoint
- drive shaft repair (done in Texas by previous owner)

The vibration that I feel in steering wheel is at any speed when adding power and seems worse the harder the acceleration like going up a hill.
I think you might be right about the whine; it does sound like gears but it is an automatic. Do transfer case have a noise when you decel? I will get it on the road tomorrow or Monday and find a long hill and see if the sound changes with steering wheel movement. I did read a thread on the SYE upgrade but I wouldn't expect it with just a 2" lift.
John
 
AndyG said:
Can you post a pic of your rear drive shaft angle- if they did new control arms it is possible the rear pinion needs adjusted- it’s a Jeep is no excuse - a TJ is as mechanically sophisticated at a new Ford F350 as far as the driveline, steering and related parts -they are designed to drive fantastic, smooth and quiet.
Click to expand...

I just pulled into the garage and will take pictures of rear drive line tomorrow.
 
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jpsageusa said:
I just pulled into the garage and will take pictures of rear drive line tomorrow.
Click to expand...

The first one is the on the rear end. The second is on the drive shaft. I will have to put it on the lift to get the angle of the transfer case.

PXL_20221108_231349643.jpg


PXL_20221108_231447953.jpg
 
Jerry Bransford said:
Your rear drivetrain angles are fine if you are still running the factory control arms and factory rear driveshaft.

I suspect a front end problem or an out of balance front tire.
Click to expand...

OP note this post-stock arms set the angle pretty close

Also you can look and see if the shaft had ever been balanced and maybe appears to have lost a weight- also be sure the joint bolts are snug and seated properly-
 
So I am getting a lesson on TJs. I thought the cross member was just a skid plate so I started taking it down to get a better picture and got a lesson. I see the little hockey pucks that the first shop installed to drop the rear of the trans/transfer case. In the am, I am going to remove them and test drive it to see if the vibration changes. From there it will be front drive shaft removal, tire exchange (I assume my 1970 commando wheels are the same-the tires are too old for the road but they are ok for test drive) and finally send the drive shaft to a shop to have it tuned.

Regardless of the outcome after Thanksgiving it will be behind my motorhome headed to AZ. I getting too old for winter. Thank you guys for your help.

John Sage
 
jpsageusa said:
So I am getting a lesson on TJs. I thought the cross member was just a skid plate so I started taking it down to get a better picture and got a lesson. I see the little hockey pucks that the first shop installed to drop the rear of the trans/transfer case. In the am, I am going to remove them and test drive it to see if the vibration changes. From there it will be front drive shaft removal, tire exchange (I assume my 1970 commando wheels are the same-the tires are too old for the road but they are ok for test drive) and finally send the drive shaft to a shop to have it tuned.

Regardless of the outcome after Thanksgiving it will be behind my motorhome headed to AZ. I getting too old for winter. Thank you guys for your help.

John Sage
Click to expand...

Your early Jeep wheels are the wrong bolt pattern so they will be a no go.
 
Thanks to everyone for their help but an especially thank you to the guys of "Drive Line Service Of Bellingham Inc" in Bellingham Washington. I talked to them on the phone about rebuilding my front driveshaft. I asked if I should buy a new drive shaft for ~$200.00? He said I could buy chi......e junk or I could let him tune mine for about that price and he would use US parts. When I took it up to him and mentioned my symptoms he immediately interrupted me with "your pinion angle is wrong". In the end I bought SYE from Tom Woods (I also got adjustable control arms) and I had the guys in Bellingham build my drive shaft.

I have not put the control arms in yet--no excuse other than life--but the SYE fixed the vibration. I am happy!
Unlike many experiences the guys "Drive Line Service Of Bellingham Inc" provided everything on time and under estimate.

Thanks everyone.
John
 
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