Hello all!

Recently I have noticed a vibration noise that seems to be coming from the center or rear of my 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee which has approx. 130K on it and it is 4 x 4 all time. Around 40mph there is a slight vibration in the steering wheel but that goes away around 45mph. Then between 50-65 i hear the noise of a vibration but I don't feel anything. It seems to get louder if I am on the gas and when I let off it gets quiet or goes away. I can't hear anything if my window is down or music is playing (just to give you and idea of how loud it is). I replaced my wheel bearings about two weeks ago and my front drive shaft about 6 months ago.

 

Welcome to CF!

Have someone check the pinion bearings and gear lash in the rear differential. Bad u-joints in the rear drive shaft will cause a vibration, but not change with power setting.

I'm 70 years old and have driven a lot of different cars in my days, but these jeeps seem to destroy rear axles way too quickly, and I don't know the reason. The Dana 35 is not the strongest kid on the block.

 

When I took it in for the bearings they said that my transfer case "could" be going bad. Would that make this kind of noise? Other people have told me the transfer case would make a grinding noise not a vibration noise. Is that true?

I'm getting an idea that maybe they did something when they fixed the bearings because it didn't make this noise until I got it back from them. I don't know if since they had to press the bearings out of the rear if it could have screwed something up? Sorry if that sounds stupid...but they tried to sell me on the transfer case way too hard and got kind of angry when I said no.

Thanks so much for sharing your knowledge with me!

 

The bearings are pressed onto the axles and pulling them doesn't have any effect on the differential, driveshaft, or transfer case.

 

could it possibly be my rear axle going bad?

 

Yes, and that's why I suggested you have it checked out.