LOTS of vibration, just replaced U-joints

lorilou · **Joined:** Fri Sep 09, 2011 4:40 pm **Posts:** 15

Hello again!

Just last week, started feeling a strong vibration when driving down the road. (KJ, Command-trac). It felt kind of like when crossing a cattle guard on the highway, just a quick thumping and then smooth sailing again. We watched the road carefully, but nothing unusual in the surface, although it seemed to do it in the same locations. The car has about 80k miles.

This week, we took the car in to have our mechanic replace the R&P bushings we'd brought in from the States. While at it, we had him check the noise. Well, it turned out we had bad u-joints, which were replaced today. We're in Costa Rica, so nothing ever goes as planned. He had trouble seating the new joints, but a machine shop did the work, had a bit of trouble with one side but not the other, and they eventually had to pry the yoke open just a tad.

Anyways, when the mechanic came to deliver our car, bad news. The vibration is even worse. I've spent hours on this forum tonight looking for what it might be. Most likely cause sounds like the rear CV on the front driveshaft. Does this make sense? Before getting it fixed, the sound/vibration seemed to come from the rear. Tonight, it seems to be all over, both front and rear. It doesn't do it below 40 mph, and stops doing it around 65 mph. More upon deceleration than acceleration (reason it does it in certain locations is probably because there are curves in the road where we always have to slow down). It shakes the steering wheel. The mechanic also mentioned that the rear damper seemed to have a bit of play in it.

Does anyone have any ideas? And, if its the driveshaft or CV's, we'll need to bring those items in from the dealer in the capital (ouch $$$). So, at least a three-day turnaround to get parts down here at the beach. My second question is: will we cause more damage if we drive the car for another week as-is? We live about a mile off the paved highway on a dirt & gravel road, 4WD access only. Just coming off the rainy season, our road is not in terribly good shape, so lots of ruts and bumps, loose rock on the steep & windy road. Luckily, we don't work, so driving would be minimal, 30 miles tops.

Thanks for your advice!!!

TwoBobsKJ · **Joined:** Fri May 11, 2012 8:03 pm **Posts:** 463

Hmmm, those vibes can be a bear to track down!

The u-joint issue: Could be that the wrong size was purchased. There is a 3.2 inch size and a 3.6 inch size frequently listed for the Liberty. Most take the 3.2 inch version but given the mechanic had to pry the yoke open leads me to believe the 3.6's were installed. You could be getting vibes from the u-joints even now as they could be under stress from being wedged into the yoke.

As for the rear CV on the front driveshaft... Have you taken a look at the boot on the rear CV? If it is torn at all the joint is probably trashed. And since you said you drive on the beach there is probably a lot of sand in there that is grinding it to death without the boot to protect it.

Don't order from a dealer as they will try to sell you a complete driveshaft - which you DON'T need! Buy the CV joint from DriveshaftParts.com - the link will take you right to the page for the CV joint. (FYI: I noticed they just dropped the price AGAIN! Now down to $55US!

May have to pick up a spare for mine!)

Reuse the bolts from your original, not the allen-head bolts that come with the kit. Otherwise everything you need is right there.

Hope this helps!

Bob

lorilou · **Joined:** Fri Sep 09, 2011 4:40 pm **Posts:** 15

Thanks, Bob

Our mechanic says the boot is ripped. So, sounds like we DO need the CV replaced. But he's suggesting we get the shafts as well. Under what conditions would we need the shafts replaced?

Here's what he's done so far:
Replaced the rear Ujoints, still vibrating
Took out the rear driveshart and testdrove it. Still vibrates, even worse
Returned car to ujoint guy, they reseated the ujoing, replaced the driveshaft. Still vibrates
Took out the front driveshaft, still vibrates, but found the torn boot

Picked up the car today and the vibration seems to be very minimal, but still does it around 45 mph. Like going over a cattle guard.

I hate to be just throwing parts in this thing just to see what happens. Is that the way they usually diagnose these thing??? LOL.. :oops:

tommudd · **Posted:** Tue Nov 20, 2012 4:54 pm

Not the right way to repair the problem
Sounds like they are just parts replacer's, throw enough new parts at it and it will fix it sooner or later
Now
what boot was ripped? Rear boot on the front driveshaft? If so that is common and a wear issue, parts here in the US are 65-70 bucks, takes a few minutes to replace.
If its the boot on one of the CVs still not hard to do but ???
So back to what boot is ripped??
Was there anything that happened for it to start vibrating or was it just all of a sudden?

lorilou · **Joined:** Fri Sep 09, 2011 4:40 pm **Posts:** 15

I don't know if it will be much help, but here's exactly what he's telling us. Quote from his email:

#1-The problem is the front half shaft c/v joints, they are causing the vibration, and NEEDS TO BE REPLACED.

#2-The front drive shaft has one loose c/v joint but most important is the grease boot is torn and SHOULD BE REPLACED, will be a problem soon

He doesn't specify, but in our conversation yesterday, I'm pretty sure he said the rear one. He was givng me a hard time cuz I've been spouting all this stuff I'm learning on these boards. (But trying not to offend him).

tommudd · **Posted:** Tue Nov 20, 2012 5:17 pm

Thats what it sounds like then is the rear boot on the front driveshaft
Its a common item to wear, then when it does dirt gets in ( your case sand I assume) and wears out the joint.
The whole thing is available from driveshaftparts out of Florida ME807 is the parts number includes new bearings/boot etc to replair. Price is like I said 65-70 bucks plus shipping
very easy to do.
Now has he tried it without the front driveshaft in? You can drive it that way until its repaired

lorilou · **Joined:** Fri Sep 09, 2011 4:40 pm **Posts:** 15

Sorry, Tom - I forgot to answer one question:

We don't recall anything specific as the cause. The problem was first noticed on a trip back from San Jose, so we'd been on the road (paved highway) for almost four hours. Close to home, still on highway, we noticed the "rough spot" and thought it was the road. It started doing it more and more, till we figured out it wasn't the road.

Interestingly, after replacing the ujoints and taking out first the rear and then the front driveshaft to troubleshoot the vibration, today it is much better, but as I mentioned, you can make it happen at 45 mph.

We do live at the beach, but it is up a one mile dirt and gravel road that's in bad shape. The Libby is not the best car here, because it has such a low clearance. We hit quite a lot on the way downhill, on the front end as it dips. The mechanic did mention that it looked like the rear differential had a hit.

Sure appreciate all the advice!
Lori

lorilou · **Joined:** Fri Sep 09, 2011 4:40 pm **Posts:** 15

tommudd wrote:

Thats what it sounds like then is the rear boot on the front driveshaft
Its a common item to wear, then when it does dirt gets in ( your case sand I assume) and wears out the joint.
The whole thing is available from driveshaftparts out of Florida ME807 is the parts number includes new bearings/boot etc to replair. Price is like I said 65-70 bucks plus shipping
very easy to do.
Now has he tried it without the front driveshaft in? You can drive it that way until its repaired

Yes, but would that mean we wouldn't have four wheel drive? Our driveway requires four wheel drive, especially in the rain. So... we have no access without 4wd. Beautiful, but a pain in the rear sometimes!!!

tommudd · **Posted:** Tue Nov 20, 2012 5:35 pm

Yes sadly if you remove it no 4 wheel drive
but possibly could check just to make sure
bet it is nice living back off the main road like that
You need to send me some photos :wink:

lorilou · **Joined:** Fri Sep 09, 2011 4:40 pm **Posts:** 15

Ok, just a couple more things:

Sounds like, but not sure, the mechanic is saying we need a whole new driveshaft. But sounds like the advice here is just new CV joint and boot, and only on the rear front driveshaft, right? No reason we would need the two half shafts...

Here's a pic of the FLATEST part of our road - hubby and the work crew, since its a private road. :lol:

Elmer · **Joined:** Sat Sep 22, 2012 11:43 am **Posts:** 83

Beautiful property you've got there. Very jealous!

Good luck with the driveshift issue!

lorilou · **Joined:** Fri Sep 09, 2011 4:40 pm **Posts:** 15

Thank you, Elmer, but there's nothing to be jealous about. The grass is always greener, you know what they say! It looks and sounds like paradise, but it's a very frustrating place to live for a Gringo.

Most things here have American "brand names", but in truth they're manufactured in Latin America for the Latin American market. For example, a GE top of the line refrigerator looks like the ones at home, but in truth have very little insulation (imagine that, in a tropical country!) and the stainless is not so great. I paid over $2200 for a refrigerator that in the US would cost maybe $1200 and would have better components. Instead of expecting it to last ten years, I can only expect it to last a couple. Everything is made in China and the quality is something that in America would never be acceptable. Frustrating!!! The R&P bushings were $12 online in Miami, but here it would have cost us $80 EACH to have it manufactured, because it's not available unless you buy the whole R&P.

And, you can see by my story what the roads do to your car! In San Jose, the capital, you can be driving down the street and hit what you think is a giant pothole, but instead its a sewer opening where someone stole the manhole cover to sell the metal. And it never gets replaced, AND no warning whatsoever! :ROTFL:

Ya gotta laugh it off...

Sometimes I long for home (San Diego)!!!
Still, it IS beautiful!

tommudd · **Posted:** Tue Nov 20, 2012 8:16 pm

You can just replace the head, it all comes in a package, new head. bearings , grease, boot clips etc . Can you order from there and have something shipped or is that expensive as well?

Your place does look great, great views and the roads look familiar!
But I know what you mean about cheap items made in China.
In Tanzania every time I try and repair anything I get frustrated due to finding a part that looks like it may last more than two weeks. I bought a hammer and it lasted about half a day before the head just exploded ! So now each time I take tools along with things I know I'll need. pain in the rear for sure.
Paradise yes if you don't have to buy anything while enjoying the sunshine :ROTFL:

If I can help any to get parts and ship or whatever let me know

Tom

lorilou · **Joined:** Fri Sep 09, 2011 4:40 pm **Posts:** 15

, Tanzania sounds just like Costa Rica! My expectations about quality have been seriously eroded!

I hope I don't sound really dense here, so please forgive me! I may have explained using terms that aren't necessarily interchangeable. Some of these parts are really confusing!

The way I understand it, when you guys talk about the "rear CV on the front driveshaft", you're talking about the shaft that runs from the transfer case to the front of the car, right? So in this case, we're referring to the CV boot thats back towards the transfer case?

Here, our mechanic says it's the front CV boot on that same shaft. On Morris 4x4, it would require part #520994FRK $129.99 to fix it?

AND IN ADDITION to that, we need to replace the front half shafts. The reason for this is that, when he disconnected the front driveshaft, the vibration continued - so it's not bad CV's on THAT shaft. To fix that, recommending part #5066020AA and 5066021AA Axle Assembly, outer right (and left) hand CV with front Dana 30 and 3.7. $190 EACH. And axle shaft seals, bearings for each.

It seems odd to me that you have to buy the whole axle assembly for $190. Are just the CV's available for that part?

Again, sorry for being a num-nutz on this. Auto mechanics isn't my strong suit. Now, if you want to know how to run an accounting department, well, there I can help you out! Meantime, this is driving me to :5SHOTS:

Happy Thanksgiving!!!!

LOTS of vibration, just replaced U-joints

Who is online