Hey all,
My 90 xj is running and driving like a dream on good roads, but after I drive down rough roads to fish (I live on Lake Cumberland in KY) it develops a shimmy that can turn to wobble. The mystery is: if I let it set for a while, it's fine next time out. Sometimes it will start on a particular bridge w/ expansion seams / concrete slab and sometimes it will cease after a couple of miles. Off main roads, I generally creep. Where & how do I start looking?

 

Check the u-joints (driveline and axle), tierods, balljoints, etc. Anything that moves you find questionable, ask. Possibly a bad wheel bearing. Any shocks appear to be leaking? Have someone turn the wheel back and forth as you watch the trackbar mount at the axle. Watch the steering box to see if it shifts any. There is a brace behind it that can break. Check tire pressure. Any zerk fittings? Grease them.

With a 4wd vehicle, it could be anything causing it. Sometimes issues can be replicated every time, like the same road in the same location. Sometimes issues are so random they can be tough to track down.

 

Thanks, New wheel bearings and u-joints in front, it seems to be a whole jeep vibration. I will have to wait on the helper, as I live alone & pretty much off the grid.

 

If there was any mud on the road check to see if there is any stock on the inside of your rims .

 

Wheels are clean, I wonder about the ball joints, 304k

 

Get some one to turn the steering wheel back and forth so you can be looking for any play in all the moving parts in the front end