Starting to get wobbles at 60mph. Most common culprits?
04-27-2015 | 10:00 PM
#16
Beach Bum
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 6,123
Likes: 21
From: Cape Hatteras, North Carolina
Year: 2000 WJ
Model: Grand Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
I'm having the same issue, minus some of the rusty. I just replaced my track bar and it was a pain. The axle side bolt seized to the inner sleeve of the bushing. After 2 days of PB, heat, prying, PB, hammer, beer, heat and PB... I finally bought a big cutting disc and turned my buffer into a grinder lol. I just replaced a completely shot wheel hub not long ago ( literally split in half when I pulled it off), now the track bar and I'm still getting highway wobble. Only happens around 50-55 and gets worse if I merge right (putting weight on the driver side).
I didn't have wobble long before doing the track bar so I don't think it ovaled the hole out. Kinda hard to tell on my 97 with no lift. All of the steering components are in the way. I'm going to try a new steering stabilizer next. I need to check the alignment but my work schedule doesn't comply well with shop hours
I didn't have wobble long before doing the track bar so I don't think it ovaled the hole out. Kinda hard to tell on my 97 with no lift. All of the steering components are in the way. I'm going to try a new steering stabilizer next. I need to check the alignment but my work schedule doesn't comply well with shop hours
..If one Wheel bearing/hub is bad, replace both!
Last edited by SteveMongr; 04-28-2015 at 03:11 PM. Reason: clarify
04-27-2015 | 10:03 PM
#17
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 734
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From: Connecticut
Year: 1995
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
steering stabilizer is optional on a non lifted so it's not likely that. I agree with the prior comment about doing both wheels at once and you should def check the balance all four tires and do the alignment.
04-27-2015 | 10:30 PM
#19
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 90
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From: Petaluma CA
Year: 1988
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
i agree with everyone, your jeep has lots of parts that need to be swapped. As for your vibration, it could be something as simple as tire balance. the fact that you can get to 55 before it starts points in that direction even more so. Should cost you about 20 bucks to get that done professionally. If it works you can start planning an appropriate time to fix the rest. I hope, for your sake, this solves your problem.
04-28-2015 | 06:44 AM
#20
Thread Starter
Banned
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,744
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From: USA
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L i6
Oh, just a point to mention, my wheel bearings are new.
So, shocks and bearings are new.
Everything else is 1998.
Dumb question, but how do tires go out of balance?
The front tires are 2 years old, and the rear ones are brand new.
This started happening over the winter.
Alignment has been bad ever since I got the car.
Steering wheel is slightly off center, and slightly pulls a little bit to the right.
So, shocks and bearings are new.
Everything else is 1998.
Dumb question, but how do tires go out of balance?
The front tires are 2 years old, and the rear ones are brand new.
This started happening over the winter.
Alignment has been bad ever since I got the car.
Steering wheel is slightly off center, and slightly pulls a little bit to the right.
Last edited by BimmerJeeper; 04-28-2015 at 06:47 AM.
04-28-2015 | 07:03 AM
#21
Beach Bum
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 6,123
Likes: 21
From: Cape Hatteras, North Carolina
Year: 2000 WJ
Model: Grand Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Uneven wear can throw off tire balance.
Also, the steel bands inside tire carcass can break, due to hitting a curb or pothole.
And if wheel or wheel edge is bent, tire will no longer be perfectly round.
Also, the steel bands inside tire carcass can break, due to hitting a curb or pothole.
And if wheel or wheel edge is bent, tire will no longer be perfectly round.
04-28-2015 | 07:45 AM
#22
Beach Bum
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 6,123
Likes: 21
From: Cape Hatteras, North Carolina
Year: 2000 WJ
Model: Grand Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Closely inspect wheels while off.
Not saying that the issue is not in the TRE's however, (Tie Rod Ends)
04-28-2015 | 08:11 AM
#24
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 734
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From: Connecticut
Year: 1995
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Oh, just a point to mention, my wheel bearings are new. So, shocks and bearings are new. Everything else is 1998. Dumb question, but how do tires go out of balance? The front tires are 2 years old, and the rear ones are brand new. This started happening over the winter. Alignment has been bad ever since I got the car. Steering wheel is slightly off center, and slightly pulls a little bit to the right.
04-28-2015 | 09:38 AM
#25
::CF Administrator::
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 14,474
Likes: 790
From: Blunt, South Dakota
Year: 97
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.6 stroker
The Barnacle strike again.
Replace everything up front that you haven't already replaced. That cancer is awful. If your steel looks like that, just imagine what those YEARS of neglect have done to the rubber.
Good call on getting someone else to do the work. You can't handle this one. And we can't handle watching you try.
Replace everything up front that you haven't already replaced. That cancer is awful. If your steel looks like that, just imagine what those YEARS of neglect have done to the rubber.
Good call on getting someone else to do the work. You can't handle this one. And we can't handle watching you try.
04-28-2015 | 11:01 AM
#26
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 90
Likes: 0
From: Petaluma CA
Year: 1988
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Moving the tires to the front is a great troubleshooting technique. I also reccomend that you have this repaired by a professional however, for some of us that is not an option. I have never had "enough" money to pay someone $100 an hour to do something that I can eventually figure out. You can rent a DD for two days for less than on hour of labor. Get a buddy that knows a little to help you out. If you dont have a buddy that can help, get one. Every Cherokee owner needs friends that can help.
04-28-2015 | 04:23 PM
#27
Beach Bum
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 6,123
Likes: 21
From: Cape Hatteras, North Carolina
Year: 2000 WJ
Model: Grand Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
You really don't have much experience with road salt, eh?
Those bolts - particularly the frame side - are a serious pain in the rectum. Even with a ****load of torque to break the free, they seize to the bushing just like the leaf springs. My LCA frame bolts I had to cut the heads and nuts off of, spread the mount, and pry out the remains.
Those bolts - particularly the frame side - are a serious pain in the rectum. Even with a ****load of torque to break the free, they seize to the bushing just like the leaf springs. My LCA frame bolts I had to cut the heads and nuts off of, spread the mount, and pry out the remains.
I spent a lot of time and effort to find an XJ that had zero corrosion underneath.
Here is the 1996 lower arm bolt you mention, it came out by hand after removing nut.
Also, other fasteners left over from the 'build'. Only tossed two or three bolts. Reused the rear sway bolts for the front skid (uses the same captured nuts).
Anyone that has pulled an AW4 will recognize one bastard bolt. And yes, the track bar bolt is bent and has stripped threads.
Last edited by SteveMongr; 04-28-2015 at 04:27 PM.
04-28-2015 | 10:09 PM
#28
Thread Starter
Banned
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,744
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From: USA
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L i6
Thanks for the ideas.
First, I will be inflating the tires all to the right PSI.
I will move the new rear tires to the front.
That will be a free way to rule out the front tire balance.
But, this will require the XJ to be lifted off all 4 wheels.
That means buying 2 more jackstands for another $100 that I may never use again.
It might be easier to just have a shop swap the wheels.
First, I will be inflating the tires all to the right PSI.
I will move the new rear tires to the front.
That will be a free way to rule out the front tire balance.
But, this will require the XJ to be lifted off all 4 wheels.
That means buying 2 more jackstands for another $100 that I may never use again.
It might be easier to just have a shop swap the wheels.
04-28-2015 | 10:20 PM
#29
Newbie
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
Model: Cherokee
Take a look at your tires the tube might have popped or have been punctured making the tire swell aka making a bump .
Another culprit may be if you've been parking on asphalt it could just have a flat spot. Depending on how far you drive it it should work it's way out.
Another culprit may be if you've been parking on asphalt it could just have a flat spot. Depending on how far you drive it it should work it's way out.
04-28-2015 | 10:24 PM
#30
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 734
Likes: 2
From: Connecticut
Year: 1995
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Thanks for the ideas. First, I will be inflating the tires all to the right PSI. I will move the new rear tires to the front. That will be a free way to rule out the front tire balance. But, this will require the XJ to be lifted off all 4 wheels. That means buying 2 more jackstands for another $100 that I may never use again. It might be easier to just have a shop swap the wheels.