I need a little help diagnosing a shake/wobble/heavy vibration that recently started on our TJ. 1997 2.5L 5 speed, in November I added a RC 3.25" lift, which is essentially their 2.5" springs and a 3/4" spacer. We've put about 750 miles on it since then with no issues. Running 31/10.5 R15 on 15x8" rims
2 weeks ago my wife drove it and it started shaking on her, so much for her she actually ran off on the shoulder trying to come to a stop. Called me I was thinking death wobble, so I met her, let her drive another vehicle home and I drove the tj, at that time I could not recreate the problem.
This week I went through and inspected underneath and checked tightness on all components related to the lift, nothing noticeably out of whack, the front track bar did need the axle side bolt retorqued, it was slightly loose. Test drove it and now I can fairly consistently get it to react and shake. Here's what it does:
At somewhere around 45 you can feel a vibration that gets worse as you get closer to 50, its not subtle its pretty violent and will shake yout phone or whatever right off the dash. I feel it mostly in the seat of my pants, almost a side to side like someone is shaking the car. The steering seems to stay pretty steady, the wheel is definitely not getting pulled from my hand.
If I accelerate beyond 50 it goes away 99% there is a slight vibration that feels more like a tire out of balance. I've driven it up to 65 range and that's the only vibe in it.
Upon deceleration it will have that hard shake as it slows through that 45-50 mph range. It does seem more pronounced in 4th gear, but if I slow in 5th to the same speed range it will do it but a little less dramatic as its really lugging the engine at that point. I have not tried to take 3rd up to that speed.
Could this be a driveline vibration? What could have changed, broke, or loosened to have this start while my wife was driving? We've had it to 70+ multiple times since putting the lift on with no hint if a shaking or vibration issue until now.
I don't think its standard "Death Wobble" it seems more speed related, I've driven Dodge trucks most of my life and this shake is not in the wheel like one of hose truck was. The 4 lane near our house is pretty rough and bumps potholes etc, have not seemed to effect it at all.
Thanks, sorry for the long post but wanted as much info out as possible and be strategic on how I try to eliminate this.
2 weeks ago my wife drove it and it started shaking on her, so much for her she actually ran off on the shoulder trying to come to a stop. Called me I was thinking death wobble, so I met her, let her drive another vehicle home and I drove the tj, at that time I could not recreate the problem.
This week I went through and inspected underneath and checked tightness on all components related to the lift, nothing noticeably out of whack, the front track bar did need the axle side bolt retorqued, it was slightly loose. Test drove it and now I can fairly consistently get it to react and shake. Here's what it does:
At somewhere around 45 you can feel a vibration that gets worse as you get closer to 50, its not subtle its pretty violent and will shake yout phone or whatever right off the dash. I feel it mostly in the seat of my pants, almost a side to side like someone is shaking the car. The steering seems to stay pretty steady, the wheel is definitely not getting pulled from my hand.
If I accelerate beyond 50 it goes away 99% there is a slight vibration that feels more like a tire out of balance. I've driven it up to 65 range and that's the only vibe in it.
Upon deceleration it will have that hard shake as it slows through that 45-50 mph range. It does seem more pronounced in 4th gear, but if I slow in 5th to the same speed range it will do it but a little less dramatic as its really lugging the engine at that point. I have not tried to take 3rd up to that speed.
Could this be a driveline vibration? What could have changed, broke, or loosened to have this start while my wife was driving? We've had it to 70+ multiple times since putting the lift on with no hint if a shaking or vibration issue until now.
I don't think its standard "Death Wobble" it seems more speed related, I've driven Dodge trucks most of my life and this shake is not in the wheel like one of hose truck was. The 4 lane near our house is pretty rough and bumps potholes etc, have not seemed to effect it at all.
Thanks, sorry for the long post but wanted as much info out as possible and be strategic on how I try to eliminate this.