LOST JEEPS :: View topic - Highway noise in 2WD only

My guess is u-joints. When under load, they seem fine, but when left to coast, they start to vibrate. 50-60 MPH happens to be that happy place for your KJ where it hits that magical harmonic vibration point. That is my 2 cents...

Well, I just got off the phone with Sears. They said they can't find anything wrong with it (wtf???)

It seems like they probably just drove it around the parking lot and said "I don't hear it". So now I get to go in there and take them along on a test-drive with me.

(not a huge fan of Sears, but the dealership has refused to touch anything near my suspension and NTB can't do an alignment to save their lives)

I took sears out for a test ride, and they were able to hear it "Yep, it's a U-Joint" they said. They kept it overnight and started working on it today.

Just got a call, though. U-Joint isn't the problem. Splines on the CV are worn out like crazy, so I need the whole mess replaced. Unfortunately, CV was my original guess, and much more than what a U-Joint would cost - $650.

Mechanics, especially those in [modern] chain stores don't normally want to touch modified vehicles.
They want to make sure that it is worth their time. Because all that they are thinking is that it is going to be difficult.
I got a very similar quote from one of my guys that told me the Liberty wasn't meant to go off road.
He wanted to charge me extra because I had a different suspension.
I said no thanks, I've done this before (taking apart the suspension and putting it back together).

Mechanics, especially those in [modern] chain stores don't normally want to touch modified vehicles.

Man, I would really do the U-Joint first. Did you actually see the splines on the CV? Before I spent $650 on it, I would make sure that it's 100% what they said.

Sometimes places like that try to jip you; say you need something when really you don't. Do you not have a local shop there you know well enough that can work on it for you?

Se7enLC get the parts yourself (like Tom said) and you'll savee $$$ that way; even more if you're able to do it yourself.

:shock:

Wow - that's pretty bad. I've only seen 1 other one that bad and that was from LOST member 'callaway'... I helped him change his last spring and his was also just about as bad. Changed mine since then, but it didn't look anything like that.

Good thing you got it swapped - despite the cost.

"Dammit Larry you just better not break it again!" :ROTFL:

(But I HAD to test the repairs! ....... right? :twisted:

)

Author:	Se7enLC [ Mon Jun 13, 2011 11:15 am ]
Post subject:	Highway noise in 2WD only - ThumpThumpThumpThump
I'm experiencing a brand new noise with my 2005 KJ (Frankenlifted), but I suspect somebody else has heard it before. It happens on the highway (>50mph or so) Goes ThumpThumpThumpThump Does NOT happen in 4WD Doesn't happen (or isn't as noticable) when accelerating (that is to say that the best way to hear/feel it is to accelerate to 60mph or so and then coast, and it'll make the noise and feel like the whole thing is going to rattle apart until the speed drops below 50 or so) It's not the brakes (just had pads+rotors all replaced) It's not the tires (they are < 1 year old, all balanced fine) It's not the alignment (just had it checked) I have a guess as to what it might be, but I'm curious if anybody else has the same guess.

Author:	long_tall_texan [ Mon Jun 13, 2011 11:38 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Highway noise in 2WD only - ThumpThumpThumpThump
My guess is u-joints. When under load, they seem fine, but when left to coast, they start to vibrate. 50-60 MPH happens to be that happy place for your KJ where it hits that magical harmonic vibration point. That is my 2 cents...

Author:	Se7enLC [ Mon Jun 13, 2011 12:17 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Highway noise in 2WD only - ThumpThumpThumpThump
long_tall_texan wrote: My guess is u-joints. When under load, they seem fine, but when left to coast, they start to vibrate. 50-60 MPH happens to be that happy place for your KJ where it hits that magical harmonic vibration point. That is my 2 cents... I like that much better than my guess, which was CV joints. Then again, it might because a U-Joint will be significantly cheaper to fix.

Author:	blackwidowkj06 [ Mon Jun 13, 2011 1:23 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Highway noise in 2WD only - ThumpThumpThumpThump
U-Joints... Parts are reasonably priced but labor is if you can't do the job yourself.

Author:	Se7enLC [ Mon Jun 13, 2011 2:46 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Highway noise in 2WD only - ThumpThumpThumpThump
Well, I just got off the phone with Sears. They said they can't find anything wrong with it (wtf???) It seems like they probably just drove it around the parking lot and said "I don't hear it". So now I get to go in there and take them along on a test-drive with me. (not a huge fan of Sears, but the dealership has refused to touch anything near my suspension and NTB can't do an alignment to save their lives)

LOST JEEPS http://www.lostjeeps.com/forum/phpBB3/

Highway noise in 2WD only - ThumpThumpThumpThump http://www.lostjeeps.com/forum/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=61179	Page 1 of 1

Author:	blackwidowkj06 [ Mon Jun 13, 2011 5:15 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Highway noise in 2WD only - ThumpThumpThumpThump
Se7enLC wrote: Well, I just got off the phone with Sears. They said they can't find anything wrong with it (wtf???) It seems like they probably just drove it around the parking lot and said "I don't hear it". So now I get to go in there and take them along on a test-drive with me. (not a huge fan of Sears, but the dealership has refused to touch anything near my suspension and NTB can't do an alignment to save their lives) Buy a rear u-joint. pay a local mechanic for the labor of replacing it, problem solved. you can buy rear ujoint that can be greased.

Author:	Se7enLC [ Tue Jun 14, 2011 1:30 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Highway noise in 2WD only - ThumpThumpThumpThump
I took sears out for a test ride, and they were able to hear it "Yep, it's a U-Joint" they said. They kept it overnight and started working on it today. Just got a call, though. U-Joint isn't the problem. Splines on the CV are worn out like crazy, so I need the whole mess replaced. Unfortunately, CV was my original guess, and much more than what a U-Joint would cost - $650.

Author:	blackwidowkj06 [ Tue Jun 14, 2011 4:48 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Highway noise in 2WD only - ThumpThumpThumpThump
Se7enLC wrote: I took sears out for a test ride, and they were able to hear it "Yep, it's a U-Joint" they said. They kept it overnight and started working on it today. Just got a call, though. U-Joint isn't the problem. Splines on the CV are worn out like crazy, so I need the whole mess replaced. Unfortunately, CV was my original guess, and much more than what a U-Joint would cost - $650. Man, I would really do the U-Joint first. Did you actually see the splines on the CV? Before I spent $650 on it, I would make sure that it's 100% what they said. Sometimes places like that try to jip you; say you need something when really you don't. Do you not have a local shop there you know well enough that can work on it for you? Can anyone else chime in on this? I'm not that knowledgeable on CVs.

Author:	tommudd [ Tue Jun 14, 2011 5:08 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Highway noise in 2WD only - ThumpThumpThumpThump
650 for what? get the parts yourself and save a bunch parts are like 140 or so plus 45 minutes of your time if you know how to take the front end apart

Author:	blackwidowkj06 [ Tue Jun 14, 2011 6:50 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Highway noise in 2WD only - ThumpThumpThumpThump
tommudd wrote: 650 for what? Tom, that's exactly what I was thinking. Se7enLC get the parts yourself (like Tom said) and you'll savee $$$ that way; even more if you're able to do it yourself.

Author:	infernicus [ Tue Jun 14, 2011 8:32 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Highway noise in 2WD only - ThumpThumpThumpThump
Mechanics, especially those in [modern] chain stores don't normally want to touch modified vehicles. They want to make sure that it is worth their time. Because all that they are thinking is that it is going to be difficult. I got a very similar quote from one of my guys that told me the Liberty wasn't meant to go off road. He wanted to charge me extra because I had a different suspension. I said no thanks, I've done this before (taking apart the suspension and putting it back together).

Author:	blackwidowkj06 [ Tue Jun 14, 2011 9:51 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Highway noise in 2WD only - ThumpThumpThumpThump
infernicus wrote: Mechanics, especially those in [modern] chain stores don't normally want to touch modified vehicles. They want to make sure that it is worth their time. Because all that they are thinking is that it is going to be difficult. I got a very similar quote from one of my guys that told me the Liberty wasn't meant to go off road. He wanted to charge me extra because I had a different suspension. I said no thanks, I've done this before (taking apart the suspension and putting it back together). Just read your story and I'm speachless It's not that difficult to tear down a lifted Liberty IF you know what you're doing

Author:	Se7enLC [ Wed Jun 15, 2011 11:22 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Highway noise in 2WD only - ThumpThumpThumpThump
infernicus wrote: Mechanics, especially those in [modern] chain stores don't normally want to touch modified vehicles. The DEALER wouldn't touch it, either. Not many offroad shops anywhere within a couple hours drive of here, or I'd go there (not that I even offroad anymore, but they are the only ones that understand lifted vehicles) Quote: Man, I would really do the U-Joint first. Did you actually see the splines on the CV? Before I spent $650 on it, I would make sure that it's 100% what they said. I didn't see them personally, but I believe it. I've been feeling and hearing bad noises from what I thought was the front end for quite some time (and kept putting off getting it fixed). I suspecting the CV before even bringing it in. I didn't say anything to the techs at all, so they came up with it independently. I believe they were replacing the entire half-axle, but I'm not positive what parts are included with a CV. I'll find out what the cost breakdown is when I pick it up (I don't want to delay things any more than they already have been - they've had my jeep since 8am Monday) Quote: Sometimes places like that try to jip you; say you need something when really you don't. Do you not have a local shop there you know well enough that can work on it for you? Agreed - some places will definitely try to jip you. But consider that they tried to send me home without doing any work at all, and I had to beg them to take another test drive. If they were in it for gouging me, they would have at least tried instead of saying "nothing wrong, come pick it up" I'm still looking for a local shop, but there aren't really not a lot of offroad-friendly places around Boston. I used to just go to the dealer, but then realized that once you change out your suspension, they have no idea what to do (and anything wrong, they just say "it's your suspension's fault, we can't fix it"). NTB was at least willing to work on it, but after installing my upper control arms, they F'd me over by not properly aligning it and ruining my tires (after having them re-check the alignment after my tires for destroyed, they said "alignment is fine", and then I drove from NTB directly to Sears and they showed me just how off it was). Sears has to be able to do every kind of car, so they at least have to use some intelligence when working on them, and I like that it's close enough to work that I can drop it off and bicycle to work from there. I've had the U-Joints done before (at maybe 40 or 50k, which is about 40 or 50k ago). Could very well have gone bad again, I suppose. Quote: Se7enLC get the parts yourself (like Tom said) and you'll savee $$$ that way; even more if you're able to do it yourself. Not sure that's true. Most shops will charge double-labor or more if you bring your own parts in, so buying your own parts is a wash unless you do it yourself. Also, since they already had it disassembled to find out the problem, I'd have had to get it towed home, then order the parts online (paying freight and spending days waiting for them to arrive). Considering that it was a highway-only noise, if I'd tried to do it entirely myself, it would have been hard to diagnose without taking it all apart and visually inspecting. I wouldn't really know what to look for, even. I think this will be $500 well spent to not take a vacation day and have my jeep out of service for a week waiting. I don't do much for maintenance/repairs myself, so the 45 minute job would end up being more like 4+ hours spread over a whole week, with a lot of frustrations, a huge mess, and a lot of time spent on forums asking "does this look right?" I'll do the electrical work, installed hitch, stereo, etc. I do oil changes on the motorcycle, because they are stupidly expensive at a shop (over $100), but 3 qts of oil and a filter is practically free, and you don't even need to remove anything from the bike except the filter itself and the drain bolt. I bring the jeep into a shop for oil changes, though - because they only cost $20-$50, and it's more of a pain (dealing with skid plates, etc). Thanks for all the helpful suggestions! I'll let you know how it turns out when I pick it up (today, hopefully)

Author:	tommudd [ Wed Jun 15, 2011 11:49 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Highway noise in 2WD only - ThumpThumpThumpThump
as far as parts should be the CV and the intermediate shaft is all. Hopefully you're getting either new CV or a rebuilt from NAPA and not from any of the other parts stores.

Author:	Se7enLC [ Thu Jun 16, 2011 9:26 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Highway noise in 2WD only - ThumpThumpThumpThump
For anyone that's curious, here's what my CV shaft looks like: And yeah, the bill came out like this: CV Joint: $111.09 Axle Stub: $390 Install, Drive Line: $85 Undercar Rep, misc serv: $42.50 Feels like a new car again! I guess I didn't realize just how bad it had gotten, I can feel the difference even at low speeds.

Page 1 of 1	All times are UTC - 5 hours [ DST ]
Powered by phpBB © 2000, 2002, 2005, 2007 phpBB Group http://www.phpbb.com/

Author:	blackwidowkj06 [ Wed Jun 15, 2011 12:41 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Highway noise in 2WD only - ThumpThumpThumpThump
I didn't know you were around Boston. That explains ALOT!!! I live in Kentucky, and off-road shops are a dime a dozen here. Most auto-repairs stores where I live have worked on modified vehicles (like mine). They know what they're doing. There's only one place I go to for my Jeep to be worked on. GRF Welding and Auto Repair. They have worked on my Jeep countless times and since I've been there so much; the labor to do anything is cheap. For example: This past January I had them install my Reese hitch, check the front end (cause I heard a noise) and changed the spark plugs all for a $100 bill. I had a wheel sensor go out not too long ago; bought the part and was only charged $40 for labor. They didn't charge me anything for them test driving and looking under the Jeep to see if it was the wheel sensor. I have built a relationship with this shop over a couple years and will continue to go to them for all me Jeep repairs (and some custom built mods ) BTWm they're SUPER close to where I live. Give it time, you will find a shop like I have. Once you do find a shop that you trust to work on your Jeep, build a lasting relationship with them. It will help you out in the long run. The only reason I know what I know about Jeeps is reading and learning from the best on here and I'm self-taught. I understand why you want to go ahead and let Sears fix the Jeep. Keep us up-to-date on the Jeep. Maybe post a pic of it on here telling it's all better now

Author:	KJWildman [ Wed Jun 15, 2011 6:58 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Highway noise in 2WD only - ThumpThumpThumpThump
Couple of years back I jumped the KJ off a dune at Silver Lake Sand Dunes up in MI, came down nose first with my foot on the stupid pedal and took out the pass. side CV and intermediate shaft and it was $575 at the local off road shop up there to replace it, so $650 doesn't sound too awful bad for Sears shop. I would've done it myself but was 300miles from home driving the motorhome and my wife followed me in the Jeep and she didn't want me to mess with it in the state park campground where we were staying , so I just dropped it off on the way home and then we went back up the next weekend and picked it up. Should've heard my wife when we got to Silver Lake dunes entrance "Dammit Larry you just better not break it again!" (But I HAD to test the repairs! ....... right? )

Author:	Se7enLC [ Thu Jun 16, 2011 10:11 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Highway noise in 2WD only - ThumpThumpThumpThump
yellocoyote wrote: :shock: Wow - that's pretty bad. I've only seen 1 other one that bad and that was from LOST member 'callaway'... I helped him change his last spring and his was also just about as bad. Changed mine since then, but it didn't look anything like that. Good thing you got it swapped - despite the cost. Yeah, I'm not really sure how that could have happened. The tech was so excited to show it to me, explained how it wasn't supposed to be tapered at all, and compared it to the other end and showed me a photo of the new one before they installed it. Here's what the other end of that one looks like (still worn, but not tapered): I'm guessing that once it starts to wear, it just beings to wear even faster, especially once that retention clip entirely disappeared. I hope this isn't a recurring theme, though - I only have 90k on the jeep, and only 60k or so since lifting.

Author:	lionseye640 [ Thu Jun 30, 2011 8:46 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Highway noise in 2WD only - ThumpThumpThumpThump
Glad you found the source of the thumpthumpthumpthump... mine's been doing that for a couple years now, been to numerous shops, had numerous parts replaced and nada... Ah well. Eventually it will break or it's just my Jeep's mating call

Author:	woodtick [ Thu Jun 30, 2011 9:53 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Highway noise in 2WD only - ThumpThumpThumpThump
KJWildman wrote: "Dammit Larry you just better not break it again!" (But I HAD to test the repairs! ....... right? ) That sounds familiar. Just switch Larry with Doug!