Vibration in steering wheel under acceleration
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 49
Likes: 0
From: Idaho
Year: 2001
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 inline 6
I have a 96 jeep cherokee 4.0 4x4 3inch lift and 31s.
Last weekend I went out wheelin and came over a hill a hit a nice big pot hole. Ever since I've had vibrations in the steering wheel under acceleration. Anyone else have this problem? I already got my wheels rebalanced because the researching I did said that could be a cause. Also i replaced the steering stabilizer just because I needed a new one anyways. Alignment? U joint? Tie rod? I don't know. Help me out please.
Last weekend I went out wheelin and came over a hill a hit a nice big pot hole. Ever since I've had vibrations in the steering wheel under acceleration. Anyone else have this problem? I already got my wheels rebalanced because the researching I did said that could be a cause. Also i replaced the steering stabilizer just because I needed a new one anyways. Alignment? U joint? Tie rod? I don't know. Help me out please.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 49
Likes: 0
From: Idaho
Year: 2001
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 inline 6
I got them rotated when I balanced them. Belt was replaced a month ago. What should I shake and what should I look for while doing it?
I meant a belt in the tire, but if you rotated them you already swapped front/rear.
Does it go away if you are in 4WD?
I'd inspect everything I could in the front suspension, from the wheel bearings, ball joints and tire rod ends to the trac bar, bushings and control arms. U-joints and drive shaft too. Something got bent or knocked loose when you hit that bump and its changing position when you accelerate. Just gotta look one piece at a time until you find it.
If I had to guess (and that is exactly what I'm doing) I'd start with a tie rod end, possibly loose and allowing the tire to pull itself out of alignment (toe) when you accelerate. I've had that happen.
Last edited by Radi; Mar 25, 2014 at 01:43 AM.
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 638
Likes: 16
From: Midwest
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0L
if you feel it while accelerating and tends to go away while you coast i would suspect u-joints either in the axles or the drive shaft. while inspecting those inspect the other components that were listed
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 49
Likes: 0
From: Idaho
Year: 2001
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 inline 6
Could it be a wheel bearing making it vibrate? Went to les schwab for a balance again today and they said my front left wheel bearing is out. Replacing it tomorrow
Trending Topics
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 638
Likes: 16
From: Midwest
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0L
I'm still thinking U-joints. are there any play in either of them you'll need to use a pry bar or see if there is any bright orange dust around any of them. that dust is powdered rust caused by play in the joints.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 49
Likes: 0
From: Idaho
Year: 2001
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 inline 6
My jeep is a 5 speed and it's only under acceleration when I get vibes. I hit a large pot hole wheeling on the right side and ever since it's done it. So far I've replaced the driver hub assembly just because it was out, the track bar because there was play and today I replaced the u joints in my front driveshaft. Anymore ideas would help a lot


