I’m getting a vibration that I feel in the steering wheel. It occurs between 15 and 20 mph, seems to go away above and below this range, and is strongest at 17-18 mph. Not that noticeable, but still strange and I would like to get to the bottom of it. Any ideas?

Appears to only occur in gear while accelerating or deaccelerating, and becomes more noticeable/stronger sensation when accelerating or deaccelerating faster.
Any and all advice greatly appreciated!

 

Additional information:


Everything stock: 4.0L + AX-15 + NP231
- x4 new tires and balanced
- new rear: brakes, wheel bearings, fluid, shocks, leaf springs and shackles
- new front: track bar, steering stabilizer, control arms x4 + bushings, shocks, ball joints, axle shaft u-joints, tie rod ends + drag link replaced 2019, but confirmed solid from alignment done today, alignment also within spec, brakes all new 6 months ago, wheel bearings 1 month ago.

 

Update: pulled front driveshaft, made no difference, same vibration/shake from front end.

 

The thing to do is to have someone saw the steering wheel back and forth while you look at all the pivot points in the steering. Whatever is loose, then needs to be fixed

 

Check your tie rod ends, track bar, drag link etc.

When you replaced the tires, did you get an alignment?

 

Leaning more towards driveline related, it could be coming from the transmission, since the vibration is only felt in gear.

 

replacing the trans mount and engine mounts (especially LH) is a very good idea anyway as they are frequent failure points and the only way you can tell is to take them right out.

Use only good quality items, not cheap parts which are hopeless

I would personally advise all XJ owners to replace the 3 bolts that hold the steering box in place...this was a factory recall, but mine snapped with very little warning

 

Thanks for the tip, I will check on the steering box bolts. Motor mounts are Brown Dog units, new in January of this year, also did tranny mount then, so I think I can rule that out. Plus, would a worn mount be felt in the steering wheel?

 

Have a resolve this?

What do you think of the brown dog mount?

 

This is my second pair of brown dog mounts (rubber), the first I installed on an '88 and still have, great response and feel over stock rubber. The only issue is, yes a bit more vibration is felt in the cab if you don't get the through-bolt torque dialed in perfectly.​

 

As for resolving this issue, no.... I have not figured it out yet.

I broke down and brought it to a shop to get a professional diagnosis, but even they could not figure it out – they said everything looks good (but maybe they did not do their best to troubleshoot, I am thinking they might be distracted by all the new parts)

I replaced the rear driveshaft and still no change. (it was easier to just replace it altogether than getting the old one balanced/serviced since I am too far from a driveline shop)

 

Another update since the last post:

Brought it to another shop for a second opinion. This new shop claimed I had several bent wheels which were causing the vibration. I don't agree with this diagnosis since I swapped all 4 wheels and tires off my '88 (which drives very smooth) and the exact same vibration is felt.

 

Sorry you haven't been able to get it resolved. I'm sure that's annoying.

And thanks for your thoughts on the motor mounts. I'm debating whether to go that route for my DD