Whump, Whump, What the...?

Cacher123 · **Posted:** Fri Nov 02, 2007 10:41 pm

Ok, front left tire was cupping. Replaced 2 fronts, got the alignment (watched the guy do it, saw the computer display, went from red - out of spec, to green - in spec). Front end was developing a shimmy over the past couple months that I thought the alignment & replacing the cupped tire would fix. (it got a little better after the alignment). There was also some tire noise associated which I attributed to the cupped tire.

However,

The front end still seems to shimmy some as I approach 60-70 or so and get slightly worse as I go faster. Used to be rock steady. If I rest my hand on the steering wheel I can actually see & feel it shaking back and forth. It's not horrible like something's gonna fall off but it's def there. Seems to be alot of tire noise associated with it that I didn't have before. Almost sounds like the noise you get when you are getting a flat tire (slapping noise) but no where as loud. Passengers don't really notice it but I do, it's that slight (well, not so slight now). There may also be a little more play in the steering than there was but that just might be my imagination.

I has 4 SRAs on the KJ before. I now have 2 R/SAs in the front and 2 S/RAs in the rear. The front tires were replaced when the alignment was done, rears weren't but the noise/feel didn't change. Alignment is perfect according to the alignment machine but there is still the very slightest pull to the left. So slight that I can drive on a straight road with my hands off the wheel ond only very, very slowly will it barely drift a little to the left.

90K miles/ 5 yrs old

Anyone have any ideas what would cause this shimmy?

Guest · **Posted:** Fri Nov 02, 2007 10:50 pm

Does it wander? if it wanders, get your balljoints replaced. The guy doing your alignment should've known to check them beforehand.

mine is starting to wander again...it's gettin that time. Just have a local shop install the Moogs and be done with it.

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Fri Nov 02, 2007 10:54 pm

Have someone sit in the KJ and with the key in the run postion(engine off) have them turn the steering wheel(just a little jar to the R/L,not much needed) to the L/R.Then you lie under the front and watch the steering rack and tie rod links and ends for any play.You could have a bad tie rod end or worn rack bushing.

Mine always has had a "shimmy" in the steering wheel ever since new due to the MT/R's and Trxus MT's I run.The pulling to the left is normal,your body wieght is what is doing that,since they align a vehicle without you sitting in it.

Cacher123 · **Posted:** Fri Nov 02, 2007 10:59 pm

Thanks for the suggestions, thought about BJs, gonna check the other stuff. Got an appt with JEEP on Wed next. Gonna have them check out the front end. if it's BJs, they gotta replace em under the recall, If it's rack or whatever, yuck!

Cacher123 · **Posted:** Mon Nov 05, 2007 12:55 pm

Bringin it in tommorrow. Any last minute ideas on what should be checked?

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Mon Nov 05, 2007 1:12 pm

Did they balance the rear tires when they put new tires on the front? That could cause some minor vibrations.

Mine wonders alittle around 65-75mph. Ball-Joints and steering is in great shape(moog lowers). I think my wondering is due to crappy tires though. I also have some minor vibrations which I know is caused by the tires.

Mine pulls to the right. If I am going in a straight line my steering wheel is turned to the left around 1". Ive had it aligned twice and it didnt change.

Whump, Whump, What the...?

Who is online