Rear view mirror vibrating over 60 mph

[RubiconMan]

The rear view mirror is smooth until I reach 60 mph and it gets worse the faster I go, everything is blurred after 60 mph.

I just had the tires rotated and balanced at Discount Tire and I just noticed that the driver side axle is leaking. Could this be the cause of the rear view mirror becoming blurred.

I also attached a photo of the passenger rear axle and the inside of the tire rim.

Could the rear axle bearing cause the issue with the rear view mirror?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Jerry Bransford]

The >60 mph vibration is likely caused by an imperfect tire balance. I once had to take my TJ into Discount Tire three times in one day before they decided to spend enough time balancing my tires to get them balanced perfectly. They were good only after the 3rd balance job.

 

[RubiconMan]

The >60 mph vibration is likely caused by an imperfect tire balance. I once had to take my TJ into Discount Tire three times in one day before they decided to spend enough time balancing my tires to get them balanced perfectly. They were good only after the 3rd balance job.

Thanks Jerry, what about the leaking rear axle seal? Would a bad axle bearing cause vibrations over 60/

 

[Jerry Bransford]

Thanks Jerry, what about the leaking rear axle seal? Would a bad axle bearing cause vibrations over 60/

Probably not. A leaking axle seal doesn't normally cause the bearing to go bad either, it just leaks past the bearing. Unless the leak was never addressed and the axle ran out of gear lube to leak.

 

[LONGJP2]

A bad seal might not cause a bad bearing, but a bad bearing can definitely lead to a bad seal.
Lift axle and check for play at the tire.

Since it's on the driver side, try watching the edge of the tire while driving.
Look for a slight shimmy vs. smooth and straight.

 

[TurboTJ]

What is the frequency of the vibration? With 35 inch tires, 60 mph is about 10 revolutions per second, so 10 Hz. Higher frequency than that? Probably a drive shaft.

 

[toximus]

Check that the screw attaching the mirror to the mounting tab is tight.

That mounting tab could also be loose and need to be reglued.

 

[Brian.souhan]

Old thread, but hoping for some thoughts as I’m having a similar issue…I did the glass beads for balance but that was many years ago, and I have heard they can turn to dust and become not effective. I recently had to replace the transmission and they suggested a new rear drive shaft. Prior to all of this I’ve had no noticeable vibrations, but now I see some in the rear view mirror, usually when on the gas…. I do have the old drive shaft, but the new one is a tom woods, same as old one, so I’m having a hard time believing it is the driveshaft or the u joints or even the lift (again, I’ve had this set up for 10s of thousands of miles).

My biggest concern is I have about a 1200 mile round trip, leaving Thursday. I might be able to get it into the shop, but unlikely. So skip trip or drive it with spare drive shaft and see what happens?

I don’t mind if it’s the driveshaft and the ujoint goes during trip. I’m mostly concerned what other damage the vibrations might do…again only see in the rear view mirror, maybe feel sometimes, but not sure.