XJ drivetrain vib under load?

Gmachine

Well-Known Member
Joined
Apr 26, 2005
It's a 99 XJ with RE3.5 lift that's been on for the past 3 years. I replaced the universal joint when I lifted it. It couldn't have been more than 15K miles ago. I found a brake shoe on the back that had come apart( material from the rivets) and replaced and reassembled. The steering wheel is fine, so I don't think it's in the front end.

I noticed the vibration last Saturday going down the highway at 65MPH. All of a sudden it started shaking real bad. It only does it under load. Engine revs fine in N. I replaced the trans. mount aready too.
 
Death wobble perhaps? Check your front end parts and make sure they're all tight and lubed.

I was going to suggest a slip yoke eliminator at first, but the whole shaking badly kind've leads me away from that. You may have both problems though. If you have constant vibration and certain speeds I would tend to think it was in the drivetrain. (ie need for SYE) But if you're experiencing violent shaking at high speeds that really sounds like death wobble.
 
The steering wheel doesn't seem to be an issue. It's definately coming from the rear. It's been fine for 15k miles now, but I guess I could still need a SYE
 
You mentioned a brake show going bad in the past. Have you pulled the drums off since you noticed this vibe? Maybe the brake show failure was not simply a rivet coming apart. Parking brake crap hooked up fine? I recently found my p'brake cable, spring, and a chunk of brake shoe material in my drum..never had any noticable vibes though.
 
I believe I stumbled across the brake problem, but I would think if it was a balance issue it would be under speed and not just load.
 
I would jack up the rear and check the U-joint again.
 
89wrangler, you were correct! I couldn't tell that the u joints were all that bad. They had a little play in them, but when I removed one of the cups the steel was about a 1/4 gone.

It's back on the road now. Thanks!
 
yea, a lifted vehicle will go through u joints. do you have a sye?
 
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