Noise and shaking when I let off the accelerator

CMullin · **Joined:** Tue Oct 20, 2015 10:58 am **Posts:** 19

Hi everyone,

I have a 05 Jeep liberty CRD with 174,000 miles. Over the past 2 weeks my jeep started making a weird noise (whining/buzzing vibration noises) and is shaking when I let off the accelerator. The noise happens every time during engine braking/downshifting, but goes away at idle. The noise/shaking seems like it keeps getting worse, but I can't figure out what the problem is. I'm worried if I keep driving it something is going to brake / it also may be dangerous to drive.

Has anyone had this issue before? Any advice would be really appreciated!!

Thanks,
Cristina

APC9199 · **Posted:** Mon Feb 05, 2018 6:20 pm

Unfortunately, noises and vibrations can be very hard to diagnose on the Liberty. They can appear to be in the front when they are actually in the rear, and vice versa. They can sound mechanical and actually be electronic or fuel or fluid related. I have chased so many noises that simply couldn't be found without replacing parts, it is maddening. I would start by checking the front cv-axles, front prop driveshaft and the rear driveshaft. Those are the most likely to cause vibrations under different loads and speeds.

GordnadoCRD · **Posted:** Mon Feb 05, 2018 6:53 pm

Making and sharing a video would be much more informative as well.

diesel_guy86 · **Posted:** Mon Feb 05, 2018 7:31 pm

Check the u-joints in the driveshaft between the transmission and rear axle.

CMullin · **Joined:** Tue Oct 20, 2015 10:58 am **Posts:** 19

So at first I thought it was fuel or transmission related (it was a more subtle bogging sound or loss of power when I let off the accelerator)... but after your comments I listened a little closer and thought OK maybe it could be the drift shaft again. I broke the front joint in my front drive shaft in the past (about a year ago) and replaced only the joint closest to the front of the vehicle. Probably should have replaced the entire thing since it looks like the rear joint is broken - check out the video attached and let me know what you think. I also looked at the rear drive shaft and u-joints.. there was no extra movement there.

https://youtu.be/V_vexxPvHUc

rankom · **Posted:** Tue Feb 06, 2018 10:40 am

yes ,your front drive shaft does need to be removed and needs new joint. BUT your problem is most likely rear u joint at rear DIFF just like diesel guy suggested , that u joint can be dry and seized bearings in it.

CMullin · **Joined:** Tue Oct 20, 2015 10:58 am **Posts:** 19

OK lots of work to do! Anyone know where I can find good directions or a video about replacing the rear u joint on the rear diff? Any recommendations on the best place to purchase this part?

APC9199 · **Posted:** Tue Feb 06, 2018 12:08 pm

CMullin wrote:

OK lots of work to do! Anyone know where I can find good directions or a video about replacing the rear u joint on the rear diff? Any recommendations on the best place to purchase this part?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k67g4azuJ7g

Should be able to get the parts from RockAuto or Amazon. I don't have the part number available right now.

WWDiesel · **Posted:** Tue Feb 06, 2018 12:48 pm

CMullin wrote:

OK lots of work to do! Anyone know where I can find good directions or a video about replacing the rear u joint on the rear diff? Any recommendations on the best place to purchase this part?

Front & rear u-joints on the rear driveshaft use the same part numbers.
Autozone list Moog Super Strength brand u-joints for the Jeep Liberty. Part Number: 280
Advance Auto Parts list both Moog Super Strength and Spicer brand u-joints for the Jeep Liberty.
Moog PN: 280
Spicer PN: #5-153X

Note: the replacement joints listed above both are both greaseable (grease fitting)

CMullin · **Joined:** Tue Oct 20, 2015 10:58 am **Posts:** 19

Are there grease fittings for the rear u-joint?

WWDiesel · **Posted:** Tue Feb 06, 2018 3:38 pm

CMullin wrote:

Are there grease fittings for the rear u-joint?

Only on some replacement joints like the ones I listed. The factory OEM joints do not have grease fittings. :roll:

GordnadoCRD · **Posted:** Tue Feb 06, 2018 6:43 pm

I don't know the reason for this, but it seems to me, that the Transfer Case CV joint of the front drive line fails about 3:1 compared to all the other joints.

WWDiesel · **Posted:** Tue Feb 06, 2018 10:46 pm

GordnadoCRD wrote:

I don't know the reason for this, but it seems to me, that the Transfer Case CV joint of the front drive line fails about 3:1 compared to all the other joints.

It may be due to the design of the very small rubber boot on it. It flexes so much that it breaks open, grease slungs out, dirt gets in, and joint wears out and fails. :roll:

Most CV joints just like the other five on the Jeep have large accordian type boots. The one on Transfer Case end of the front drive shaft has one of the smallest rubber boots I have ever seen on a CV joint. :shock:

GordnadoCRD · **Posted:** Tue Feb 06, 2018 11:54 pm

I had one fail in just over 100 miles. It boggles me how the original mopar one lasted over 100k., especially when it's not even dealing with changing angles like the rear ones do. I've wondered if it's a heat issue, and whether a coating of dry graphite lube around the outer surface could help, but haven't had time to test that theory yet.

CMullin · **Joined:** Tue Oct 20, 2015 10:58 am **Posts:** 19

Follow-up: So you were all right the rear U-joint on the rear drive shaft was shot! I replaced both the U-joints on the rear drive shaft. Took off and checked the rear CV joint on the front drive shaft. It's missing the boot and will need to be replaced eventually but is still in OK shape for now. All noises went away and it drove great for about 200 miles....

Now the check engine light is on and the transmission is slipping, shifting hard, and there's a lag when I put in into drive before the gears catch and the jeep starts to go. Transmission fluid looks fine and is full. I don't think this is related to the work done on the drive shaft... could it be?

Current Error Codes:
PO700 Auto Tansmission Control System Malfunction
PO734 A/T Additional Gear Ratio Error in Fourth Gear
PO733 A/T Additional Gear Ratio Error in Third Gear
PO732 A/T Additional Gear Ratio Error in SecondGear

Any thoughts about this would be appreciated! I think the jeeps going to stop running on me any minute

Planning to take it to a shop to have it checked out tomorrow, but I'd also love to hear any of your thoughts about what might be going on. Are our CRDs known for having transmission issues?

GordnadoCRD · **Posted:** Wed Feb 14, 2018 4:34 pm

The 545RFE transmission has an input speed sensor, and an output speed sensor. Both sensors are the same part, and, I have recently learned, they do fail, and really confuse the TCM. If one or both of these are sending pulses beyond the range of expected, it flags an interior error. The reason I lean towards the speed sensors, is the error existing in every gear.
The P0700 is simply the TCM sending a request to the ECM, asking it to turn the CEL on. This one is not self cancelling as far as I can tell. I've always had to manually cancel it.

flash7210 · **Posted:** Wed Feb 14, 2018 7:20 pm

GordnadoCRD wrote:

The 545RFE transmission has an input speed sensor, and an output speed sensor. Both sensors are the same part, and, I have recently learned, they do fail, and really confuse the TCM. If one or both of these are sending pulses beyond the range of expected, it flags an interior error. The reason I lean towards the speed sensors, is the error existing in every gear.
The P0700 is simply the TCM sending a request to the ECM, asking it to turn the CEL on. This one is not self cancelling as far as I can tell. I've always had to manually cancel it.

x2

Also, be sure you are checking the trans fluid with the engine running at idle.
And these transmissions seem to work best when slightly overfilled.

Noise and shaking when I let off the accelerator

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