Rear axle feels like it wants to fall off. Help!
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 72
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From: Tuscaloosa, AL
Year: 1989
Model: Cherokee
So idk where this post should go. Feel free to move it wherever admins.
Recently my '89 xj has what i call a rear shake. When i hit around 45 mph-55 mph and stay at a constant speed for a few seconds, I will start to get a rear to front shake almost as if the axle is falling behind and trying to catch up. It doesn't affect my steering wheel at all. Its kind of violent though. If I let off the throttle the vibration stops. Its even hard for me to recreate it because its kind of a semi rare occurrence. But it is driving me insane. Crawling under this xj for months now and I'm at a loss. Everything looks great underneath. Any help is appreciated.
Jeep Details:
1.5" Rough Country lift
235 tires
everything else is stock.
Recently my '89 xj has what i call a rear shake. When i hit around 45 mph-55 mph and stay at a constant speed for a few seconds, I will start to get a rear to front shake almost as if the axle is falling behind and trying to catch up. It doesn't affect my steering wheel at all. Its kind of violent though. If I let off the throttle the vibration stops. Its even hard for me to recreate it because its kind of a semi rare occurrence. But it is driving me insane. Crawling under this xj for months now and I'm at a loss. Everything looks great underneath. Any help is appreciated.
Jeep Details:
1.5" Rough Country lift
235 tires
everything else is stock.
Member
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 149
Likes: 1
From: fountain hills az
Year: 1999
Engine: 4.0l 310,000 miles
remove your rear drive shaft and inspect both u-joints very carefully. Check transmission mount and both engine mounts with a flashlight for cracks or looseness. The drivers side engine mount likes to crack out first. Checking the drive shaft installed does not tell you very much, so do the work to find the answer.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 72
Likes: 0
From: Tuscaloosa, AL
Year: 1989
Model: Cherokee
remove your rear drive shaft and inspect both u-joints very carefully. Check transmission mount and both engine mounts with a flashlight for cracks or looseness. The drivers side engine mount likes to crack out first. Checking the drive shaft installed does not tell you very much, so do the work to find the answer.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 72
Likes: 0
From: Tuscaloosa, AL
Year: 1989
Model: Cherokee
This weekend I plan on inspecting all the engine and tranny mounts. Also I'm probably just gonna replace the u-joints even though they feel solid. They are original so probably better to get something new anyway.
All tires are balanced as well. That was the first thing I checked.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 72
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From: Tuscaloosa, AL
Year: 1989
Model: Cherokee
Just wanted to update anyone who may have had this issue. It was finally solved. And I was completely dumbfounded when i found a vacuum hose undone going into the m.a.p sensor and a vacuum hose undone going into the charcoal canister. Once i plugged them back in the shaking has not returned. Go figure. Still beats the hell out of me how that was what caused it to feel like it was from the rear and not like it was coming from the drive line. But that was what it was. Thanks for all your help!
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 43,971
Likes: 1,577
From: Prescott, Az
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
Just wanted to update anyone who may have had this issue. It was finally solved. And I was completely dumbfounded when i found a vacuum hose undone going into the m.a.p sensor and a vacuum hose undone going into the charcoal canister. Once i plugged them back in the shaking has not returned. Go figure. Still beats the hell out of me how that was what caused it to feel like it was from the rear and not like it was coming from the drive line. But that was what it was. Thanks for all your help!
::CF Moderator::
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 43,971
Likes: 1,577
From: Prescott, Az
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 72
Likes: 0
From: Tuscaloosa, AL
Year: 1989
Model: Cherokee
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