Hello Fellow Cherokee Bros,

I upgraded my stock 15" steel wheels on my 2000 XJ for the 5 spoke "Ecco" alloys. I used my existing tires as they only have 5K miles on them. When I got my XJ back I noticed vibration at highway speeds, about 60 mph. Figured the wheels were not balanced correctly, but the tire shop was closed at this time. I had a lot of errands to run and put about 120 miles on the rig before I could get back into tire shop and during that time I also noticed the alignment was off - pulling to the right. This morning they rebalanced the wheels, confirmed they were out of balance. The vibration stopped but it still pulls to the right. I have to correct by steering to the left at about 10 o'clock.

Any ideas what happened? Did the out of balance tires mess up the alignment? Do I have to spend $75 on an alignment now?

Any help is greatly appreciated.

 

Sounds fishy - vibration shouldn't have thrown off the alignment unless it was some serious vibration.

It's possible that the vibrations pushed a steering component that was on the verge of failure into failing and the extra slop is allowing some wandering. You'd think the shop would have noticed that when they were under there though.

 

It was pretty severe shaking, but ya, I thought what you thought! I am pretty dumbfounded. What steering component could have gone out? I just cant make sense of it.

 

You'd have to check what's off.
There are plenty of resources for doing an "at home" alignment. Many claim that it's nearly as good as a shop.
75 is better than the 90 they want around here though.

The thing is, I would think a bad component would come with vibration or wobble.

There are guys on here that do tires professionally, maybe they can enlighten us as to a valid reason.

 

Does it actually pull to the right, needing constant steering input?...or simply have the steering wheel not dead ahead, so that it need pointing straight ahead, but no "tugging" or steering input from you?

If the former, your wheels are not aligned..there are a few ways to check..google

if the latter, it can be corrected by adjusting the draglink and tie rod ends..its counter-intuitive, and NOT the way the FSM says, but as I recall, make sure the steering wheel is held dead ahead, adjust the draglink end till the DS wheel is toe dead ahead, then the PS tie-rod to make PS wheel dead ahead. Thats how I got mine spot on after a lift. I have a few ways to measure toe.

any adjustment of these parts cause steering wheel position to alter, unless it is held or locked dead ahead

 

 

 

Good idea. I will let ya'll know if there are any updates. As always, appreciate all of the help!

 

If the vehicle is pulling to one side, then you hit the brakes and it feels like it abruptly pulls in the opposite direction, that is a strong indication that a caliper is sticking. Common on XJs and if you ever suspect this is happening, it is highly recommended that you address it promptly. It is a fire/melting hazard when ignored.

 

 

It could have been a tire pull by them moving the tire to the rear it will drive good until you move the tire back up front and then it will pull again , a easy way to see if you have a tire pull all you need to do is move the tire on the right to the left and the left to the right and if the pull moves to the other side then it is a tire pull .

 

X2 on the tire pull. I had a pull to the right on my Ford Ranger, and figured I had problems. Upon mentioning to my dad, (mechanic for over 50 years), he told me what to check.

Try running your hand over the rear tires, you may find that they have a slight, almost feathered or cupped feel. It probably wont be noticeable by eye but you will probably feel it. I rotated them to the rear and never had a problem again. They will most likely begin to wear normally and hopefully return to normal.

Do you do a lot of city driving or highway driving? Maybe more frequent rotations may be needed.

 

Most of the miles I have put on it were highway - bought it 3 months ago. The tires only have 5K miles on them. I will do what you mention above and let you know. Drive into work today was nice, drove straight the whole time.

 

Could have been a low pressure situation in that one tire they put to rear. They had to redo the balance right.. kids these days don't adjust pressures on mounting and balancing.

I'v asked for such service, and tipped them extra for it. Only to get home and find tires differing by 20lbs or so.

 

Hahaha, totally. I try to do all my own service when possible to ensure it is done right. I pretty much don't trust anyone.