Hi Im new to the site and have a question about a problem with my 98 cherokee. To start off my jeep is totally stock with the exception of going from 215 to 235 tires. The problem im having is a humming and vibration noise coming from the rear of the jeep. The humming can get loud and the vibration isnt shaking the bolts out of the jeep but you can definetly feel it. The noise and vibration start at 30mph to about 45mph then goes away, but isnt that bad. When I reach 65mph the noise and vibration come back and get worse the faster it go. And is basically always present while coasting (foot off gas and brake, I have an automatic trans) and gets worse as I slow down, I can hear the humming and feel the vibrations all the way down to 10 or 15mph. I went under thinking u joints. They feel tight but found the slip joint has some up and down, left and right play, is this normal? And by play I dont mean rotating I mean pushing up on the u joint for the yoke, if I felt that much play in anything else in the drive line I would say thats my problem, but being its the slip joint idk. My first thought after that was bad slip joint so I was going to go with a sye and a front drive shaft so I dont have this problem again. But wanted to ask and see if anybody else had the same or similar problem that might point me to the right spot if I am looking in the wrong place. I will appreciate any help or advice I can get. Thanks for your time!

 

No one has ever had this happen before or something similar?? Im really hoping to be 100% sure its the slip joint before i go and order parts.

 

Here are some threads by fellow members of CF that might help you out with your problem:

https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f2/grinding-noise-38194/

https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f2/xj-axle-noise-71258/

Hope this helps, good luck!

 

It could be as simple as your tires being out of balance.