Awful Vibration After Accident
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Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
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Awful Vibration After Accident
Hi guys, I have a 200 Jeep XJ with 145k on it. I recently went off the road when I hit a slick patch of ice, and ended up the ditch. No major damage, just a cracked steering box. I have been driving the jeep for 2 months since it has gotten back on the road, and I have started to get some bad vibrations. The vibrations seem to come from the passenger side, front tire. I only get the vibrations when I am driving very slow (5-20 mph) and when I am slowing down to a stop. It is so bad that it rattles interior plastic and makes a rough shuddering noise. I am starting to think that my front passenger hub may be bad since it took most of the beating in the accident. I replaced both front hubs in Feb 2017 with Timkens, and the brakes were done in November of 2017. I have checked the ball joints and they seem tight, and I am assuming it is either the brake caliper or the hub. Am I way off track here? Not sure if it matters or not, but trans mount and motor mounts were also replaced in Feb of 2017. Steering seems tight, nothing loose. Whats your opinion?
#3
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if you haven't done an alignment since the accident, i would definitely do that. also i think you are on the right track with the hub unit. since it's a timkin, you may be able to get it replaced under warranty.
your track bar would have taken a hard hit also. be sure to check both ends.
if there is any play in the TRE, i would change that out too, before you do an alignment, of course.
worst cast scenario, you may have bent an axle tube. that will take some precise measuring to tell if it's just slightly bent.
hitting a ditch can affect many areas in the front end, steering, suspension, frame and hard components.
good luck, hope it's not hard to find.
your track bar would have taken a hard hit also. be sure to check both ends.
if there is any play in the TRE, i would change that out too, before you do an alignment, of course.
worst cast scenario, you may have bent an axle tube. that will take some precise measuring to tell if it's just slightly bent.
hitting a ditch can affect many areas in the front end, steering, suspension, frame and hard components.
good luck, hope it's not hard to find.
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Thanks fr the advice! I did have it aligned since the accident. I replaced both ends of the drag link before the alignment, as they had gone bad from the weight of the steering box. Track bar ends seem tight as well. Really hoping its just a bad hub.
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Well Friday I replaced the passenger side hub, and not much of a difference. Still vibrates bad when braking. I am thinking maybe the rotors are warped? I’m half tempted to take it into a shop and have them diagnose it, as my brakes were done a year and a half ago. Plan on replacing the rotors and calipers as well and replacing the tie rod (driver side has some play, but I doubt it’s the issue). Any suggestions?
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Year: 1995
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Engine: I6 4.0L
Is it only happening when braking now, or still when at low speeds?
How are the upper control arms and bushings? Shock mounts?
I'd do a careful inspection for cracks in the mounting points for the control arms.
Have you tried moving the tire (swap it for the rear drivers, for example) to eliminate the wheel/tire?
How are the upper control arms and bushings? Shock mounts?
I'd do a careful inspection for cracks in the mounting points for the control arms.
Have you tried moving the tire (swap it for the rear drivers, for example) to eliminate the wheel/tire?
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I tend to notice it more when braking. I will crawl under and check the upper control arms today, as well as swap the tires out and see if that helps. Shock mounts look decent from what I can tell. Could it be sway bar disconnects? Mine are stock and look like the bushing could be pinched pretty well
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Year: 1995
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I tend to notice it more when braking. I will crawl under and check the upper control arms today, as well as swap the tires out and see if that helps. Shock mounts look decent from what I can tell. Could it be sway bar disconnects? Mine are stock and look like the bushing could be pinched pretty well
My gut feeling (in order of highest suspicion) is issues with the control arms (upper bushings bad or cracked mount), cracked track bar mount, warped rotor or bent axle tube. You'll know more once you do the requisite noggin' poking.
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Those are great places to start, I appreciate it! Sway bar links are just pinched in, so I don't think those are the problem. If the upper control arms are as bad as the lowers, I imagine they will need to be replaced anyway. I was doing some reading, and it sounds like my plan is to buy the Rusty's fixed upper control arms, and then buy the replacement axle bushing and press them in. First step is some nogging pokin in the mentioned areas, and then to swap out the tire and see where that puts me at. I forgot to mention that I am on 31 inch Cooper mudders, along with a 3 inch lift. I would expect some vibration/road noise, but no where near what I am dealing with now. I will try and grab some photos tonight and post them up, as I know you guys have better eyes for issues than I do.
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Year: 1995
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I've heard that UCA bushing is a PITA to get at. If your lowers were real bad it would definitely stand to reason the uppers were not far behind. It could be that the running into the ditch just exacerbated an issue that was already coming down the pike.
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Upper control arm bushing
Track bar mount passenger side
Track bar mount passenger side
Track bar mount passenger side
Track bar mount driver side
Driver side tie rod, needs replaced
Track bar mount passenger side
Backside of track bar mount, not sure if this is issue
Upper control arm driver side
Upper control arm driver side
Upper control arm
Track bar mount passenger side
Track bar mount passenger side
Track bar mount passenger side
Track bar mount driver side
Driver side tie rod, needs replaced
Track bar mount passenger side
Backside of track bar mount, not sure if this is issue
Upper control arm driver side
Upper control arm driver side
Upper control arm
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Lately I have been noticing a slight metallic noise while driving, so I ordered new powerstop rotors to swap out. Also ordered a rustys heavy duty tie rod, hopefully I get some results