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Drivetrain Vibration
http://www.lostjeeps.com/forum/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=12152		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  KJART [ Wed Sep 06, 2006 11:18 pm ]
Post subject:  Drivetrain Vibration
I know this has been discussed before but my search result are not yielding the answers I'm looking for.

I have a 2003 Sport that has a drivetrain vibration at 50mph and at speeds above 75 mph. I took it to the dealership only to be told that there is a TSB that "DC is aware of the problem and are looking into it". My dealership says they need to wait and see what DC finds out before they can fix it. They did say however that they would fix the problem before I reach 70K (I have 63K now) so I will need to take it in again soon.

Hasn't this TSB been out there for quite a while with no follow up from DC?

Those of you that have had this problem before, what was done to fix it?

Thanks
Author:  jason thompson [ Wed Sep 06, 2006 11:37 pm ]
Post subject: 
why do you think it it a drive train vibe?
the only drive train vibe that I have heard of is when you need to adjust the rear pinion angle to correct for lift but that is on wranglers that have a drive shaft that is about 1/2 as long as the KJ

I would try the easy things first such as tires and ball joints
I will tel you that the tires on our KJ for some reason need to be rebalanced about 2 times a year or about every 6K depending on how much wheeling we do in that time but when it shakes we bring it to our guy and for $40 he pulls the 4 wheels and rebalances and if you look you can see wher the weight is more or less wieght and not in the same spot
I would also check for ball joints and stearing rod end links being worn as they could cause a vib
You may also want to have your rotors checked if they warp they will cause strange vibes and with rear disk breaks if one on the rear warps then you could be mistaking that for a drive line vibe
It could also be a realy bad shock on one side in the rear

I hope that this was not info over load
Author:  KJART [ Thu Sep 07, 2006 12:04 am ]
Post subject: 
Thanks for the excellent suggestions...however all other possibilities have been ruled out. It is definately a drivetrain vibration. I have had the problem since it was brand new but never got around to fixing it because I figured there would end up being a recall.

I am now getting it fixed because my drivetrain warranty is about to expire and my commute now routinely involves traveling on the interstate. I believe this is a fairly common problem on many KJs. Owners always seem to say the vibration appears at 50 and above 75. My dealership is clueless and I just want to know what other have had done so I know where to tell them to start. I think I remember some owners on the old site saying that they replaced the driveshaft and others had the rear dif rebuilt.

That brings up another question...do all KJs have that huge damper hanging off the rear diff? No "male" jokes please. :wink:

By the way...you are correct I also have found that KJs are extremely sensitive when it comes to wheel balancing.
Author:  snow blower [ Thu Sep 07, 2006 5:54 pm ]
Post subject: 
is your libby stick or auto?? My 6-speed renny shakes quite a lot... well not the whole thing, just the shifter. If i drive a long distance resting my hand on the shifter, my hand actually goes kinda numb hahaha
Author:  KJART [ Thu Sep 07, 2006 9:52 pm ]
Post subject: 
It is an automatic. I should have also mentioned that it is pretty much stock (no lift and 245/70/16 tires).
Author:  jason thompson [ Thu Sep 07, 2006 10:06 pm ]
Post subject: 
If your DS looks like this then I would say that it is a drive line vibe but I could not imagine a KJ with a DS like this

Image

another fix would be adjustable LCA's and fix your pinion angle
Author:  FreedomKJ [ Thu Sep 07, 2006 10:18 pm ]
Post subject: 
Don't forget the possibility of a poorly balanced driveshaft.
Author:  jason thompson [ Thu Sep 07, 2006 10:46 pm ]
Post subject: 
FreedomKJ wrote:
Don't forget the possibility of a poorly balanced driveshaft.



yes very true
also I had a realy realy bad vibe from a bent front shaft on my TJ so just a slight ding would result in a vibe also
it was so bad I had to pull over and remove the DS to get home
I would find it hard to belive that a fully stock KJ has a drive line vibe some thing is just fishy
Author:  KJART [ Fri Sep 08, 2006 1:59 pm ]
Post subject: 
Quote:
yes very true
also I had a realy realy bad vibe from a bent front shaft on my TJ so just a slight ding would result in a vibe also
it was so bad I had to pull over and remove the DS to get home
I would find it hard to belive that a fully stock KJ has a drive line vibe some thing is just fishy


It is a common problem, that is why there is a TSB. Trust me it is a drivetrain vibration. KJs are known for this hence the huge damper hanging from the rear diff. In fact, I remember reading in 2001 a caption under a spy photo of the KJ that read something to the effect that engineers were having troubles with drivetrain vibration issues. I could be wrong but if I remember correctly I beleive the issue delayed the KJs release. It seems to mostly affect 04 and older KJs. I know most owners with this issue have already had it fixed I am just wondering what worked.

I am well aware of issues presented by pinion angles, slip yokes, etc... I previously had an XJ with a 4" lift. This problem is different it has to be an unbalanced driveshaft or something to do with the rear diff or transfer case.
Author:  Jeepjeepster [ Fri Sep 08, 2006 2:19 pm ]
Post subject: 
Hmm, I have the ome 2" lift and have 0 vibes.

Jason, is that jeepinbyals jeep? :shock:
Author:  KJART [ Fri Sep 08, 2006 2:39 pm ]
Post subject: 
I had the OME lift on my vehicle as well, a couple years back, and it did not seem to affect the vibration (better or worse). Pinion angle does not seem to be a contributing factor.
Author:  jason thompson [ Fri Sep 08, 2006 6:11 pm ]
Post subject: 
Jeepjeepster wrote:
Hmm, I have the ome 2" lift and have 0 vibes.

Jason, is that jeepinbyals jeep? :shock:



no that is my TJ and the pic does not do it justice and to see it up on a rack with no tires tuching the ground :shock:
Author:  jason thompson [ Fri Sep 08, 2006 6:15 pm ]
Post subject: 
KJART wrote:
Quote:
yes very true
also I had a realy realy bad vibe from a bent front shaft on my TJ so just a slight ding would result in a vibe also
it was so bad I had to pull over and remove the DS to get home
I would find it hard to belive that a fully stock KJ has a drive line vibe some thing is just fishy


It is a common problem, that is why there is a TSB. Trust me it is a drivetrain vibration. KJs are known for this hence the huge damper hanging from the rear diff. In fact, I remember reading in 2001 a caption under a spy photo of the KJ that read something to the effect that engineers were having troubles with drivetrain vibration issues. I could be wrong but if I remember correctly I beleive the issue delayed the KJs release. It seems to mostly affect 04 and older KJs. I know most owners with this issue have already had it fixed I am just wondering what worked.

I am well aware of issues presented by pinion angles, slip yokes, etc... I previously had an XJ with a 4" lift. This problem is different it has to be an unbalanced driveshaft or something to do with the rear diff or transfer case.




If you feel that it is due to an unbalanced DS just pull it and go get it ballanced I only paid $30 for mine to be done ,flat rate dont matter what it comes off of



wich brings up another question I have is the T-case in the KJ the same as the ones in the XJ if so could I install a SYE and have a DS built for it using a generic DS and cut or re tube to length?
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