Possible Torque Converter_Symptoms?

Greaser · **Posted:** Fri Mar 30, 2012 10:48 am

I have been noticing a vibration/shutter while accelerating, it happens consistently at around 45mph, but that's the only time. If I am on the highway going 60-65 and accelerate it doesn't vibrate or shutter, which I know is another symptom of a weak torque converter. I did just install some bigger tires and OME lift kit, and started noticing the vibration almost immediately after, I don't know if maybe the added weight from the tires might have exploited a weakness (tc).

CATCRD · **Posted:** Fri Mar 30, 2012 11:49 pm

Lifted and suddenly vibrating sounds like rear driveshaft u-joints to me. They are running at new, steeper angles. Maybe one is dry inside.

patmaz · **Joined:** Sat Jan 01, 2011 2:52 pm **Posts:** 134

Yes definetaly rear shaft u-joints,probably one wich is binding with the new lift,or a possible alignement problem,but i guess you did get an alignement,so yes,99% u-joint!

Greaser · **Posted:** Sat Mar 31, 2012 8:19 pm

I really haven't thought of the u-joints, I will give that a shot before anything drastic. I have been too busy at work to do an alignment yet, but will be doing one soon, thanks for your input, I really appreciate it.

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Greaser · **Posted:** Tue Apr 03, 2012 9:57 pm

Well, replaced both u-joints today, I opted to buy ones from O'Reilly auto parts, just because the dealership wanted 95.00 a piece for them. The ones I bought are the better, most expensive brand that have grease plugs. After I installed these u-joints the vibration got even worse, it will vibrate all the time now under light acceleration above 40mph. I got it home and shot them up with grease, I didn't do that while installing them assuming that they came pretty well pre-greased, so I hope that takes care of the vibration. If it doesn't, than I guess I will opt in to buying 200.00 worth of u-joints and hoping that takes care of it.

liberty2.8 · **Posted:** Wed Apr 04, 2012 7:59 am

Wow, I would have thought u-joints as well. I replaced mine several months ago when I started getting this terrible vibration that got progressivly worse over several days. Took it to a local shop for an estimate and they also confirmed rear u-joint was bad but price was too high. Replaced both front and rear with the needle-type grease fill hole and problem solved, was I happy! Really not a hard job with the right tools. I wouldn't think u-joints from dealer would fix problem if the O'Reilly ones didn't.

Greaser · **Posted:** Wed Apr 04, 2012 8:43 am

No, the O'Reilly ones made things worse, I think I will give Napa a call. I got the wrong U-Joints at first from O'Reilly so I don't have much faith in the ones that I installed, we'll see I guess

patmaz · **Joined:** Sat Jan 01, 2011 2:52 pm **Posts:** 134

Well,this is weird,looks like you got unlucky with the u-joints,you might want to try another set,if it dosent take care of the vibration,it would probably be a good idea to get the driveshaft balanced,but if it didnt get shock of any kind,it might not be the reason...

First thing i would do,get another set of u-joints,then get an alignement,and you will see,when you say it vibrates,is it like a vibration you can feel in the seat/steering or it feels like the back of the jeep is rolling like on oval tires?I know this sounds funny but a u-joint vibration feels like the truck is going up and down rapidly,like if you had an oval wheel somewhere...

If the vibration is like an unbalanced tire feel,that shakes your pants and makes the truck rattle from everywhere,then it might be the alignement,the tires/wheels out of balance,or yes the torque converter...

Also,are your motor mounts good?If the motor mounts are going bad,the engine might be off of its normal angle,and with the new lift,could cause some binding,but then again you would have other symptoms...Like some marble sounds when shifting from park to reverse/drive...

I wish you luck for finding the problem,it can be tricky sometimes....

P.s,have you thought about the axle-shaft vibration problem on our CRD s,if your vibration is like a steering/tire feel,it might be it,just slide under the jeep and try to move the axle-shafts from the diff going out to see if there is any movement,there are many posts here about thoses axles getting loose from the splines(often appears after a lift)....I know this looks like a lot of stuff,but im just trying to help you here!

Greaser · **Posted:** Wed Apr 04, 2012 11:54 am

patmaz wrote:

Well,this is weird,looks like you got unlucky with the u-joints,you might want to try another set,if it dosent take care of the vibration,it would probably be a good idea to get the driveshaft balanced,but if it didnt get shock of any kind,it might not be the reason...

First thing i would do,get another set of u-joints,then get an alignement,and you will see,when you say it vibrates,is it like a vibration you can feel in the seat/steering or it feels like the back of the jeep is rolling like on oval tires?I know this sounds funny but a u-joint vibration feels like the truck is going up and down rapidly,like if you had an oval wheel somewhere...

If the vibration is like an unbalanced tire feel,that shakes your pants and makes the truck rattle from everywhere,then it might be the alignement,the tires/wheels out of balance,or yes the torque converter...

Also,are your motor mounts good?If the motor mounts are going bad,the engine might be off of its normal angle,and with the new lift,could cause some binding,but then again you would have other symptoms...Like some marble sounds when shifting from park to reverse/drive...

I wish you luck for finding the problem,it can be tricky sometimes....

P.s,have you thought about the axle-shaft vibration problem on our CRD s,if your vibration is like a steering/tire feel,it might be it,just slide under the jeep and try to move the axle-shafts from the diff going out to see if there is any movement,there are many posts here about thoses axles getting loose from the splines(often appears after a lift)....I know this looks like a lot of stuff,but im just trying to help you here!

Thanks for the advice, I did get another set of u-joints, I will try to install today, its funny, I bought from Napa this time, but they are the exact same brand and part number. I will most definitely check out the front axles, that would make sense that it might appear after I did the u-joints last night, since the whole vehicle was in the air and the suspension dropped down might have popped them out a little more.

papaindigo · **Posted:** Wed Apr 04, 2012 12:27 pm

Just to get it out there IIRC there are front and rear "U" joints and I would not assume only 1 set is bad. Of course CV joints on axles could be an issue but that failure, based on past experience in other vehicles, tends to come with clicking on left or right turns.

Greaser · **Posted:** Wed Apr 04, 2012 3:19 pm

Just checked out the front axles out in the parking lot, they seem ok, I did find a good test/check for balancing the driveshaft in the fsm using hose clamps, I'll try that out later before the u-joints.

Greaser · **Posted:** Thu Apr 05, 2012 9:12 pm

Well today, I brought my driveshaft over to a driveshaft shop, immediately the tech noticed that the u-joints weren't seated all the way, I thought they were, based on the fact I was able to install the retaining clips, but he is the expert on driveshafts so I didn't fight him on this, so they took it, installed there own u-joints (which were spicer) and re-balanced my driveshaft, it was a little out of balance, but not terribly. I installed the driveshaft, test drove and much much better, vibrations are mostly gone, I still notice a real light vibration still at around 35mph, then at 45mph, but nothing like the original vibration. Thanks for the help everyone!

Possible Torque Converter_Symptoms?

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