97 Cherokee Country 4x4

[LivinLife]

Took my Jeep in this morning to have a rear tire wobble checked out. They drove it around in the parking lot, feeder road, and highway. It was noticed in all three instances. They put it up and took the tire off and found nothing wrong. Did the spin deal and all, but, that one wheel moved properly. I'm told it's a four wheel drive problem. Does that sound right?

The scenerio...this started about a week ago with a slight bumpty bump while driving down the road. Now it's turned into a full blown bump/wobble and it feels like the wheel is going to come off! It makes no difference in the speed or road surface. It starts the minute I start pullin it out of the driveway.

[fredjacksonsan]

So they spin balanced the wheel while it was off of the vehicle?

[LivinLife]

I was not present during the process. I was told that this wheel did not spin in unison with the others. This is why they said it was a four wheel drive problem. I didn't get any other explanation beyond that. They don't do four wheel drive and was told I needed to take it to a specialty shop. I'm hoping to get an idea before going that route.

[Ray H]

Originally Posted by LivinLife

I was not present during the process. I was told that this wheel did not spin in unison with the others. This is why they said it was a four wheel drive problem. I didn't get any other explanation beyond that. They don't do four wheel drive and was told I needed to take it to a specialty shop. I'm hoping to get an idea before going that route.

First off. 4WD problem??? Theyre full of it. Take it to another shop.

[fredjacksonsan]

Yep, not a 4wd problem.....if it's in 2wd it's a rear wheel drive problem...Ray didn't say it, but I will: sounds like an incompetent shop.

First thing I'd try is switching the rear tires r-l and l-r. If the vibration moves to the other side, it's the rim/tire. If it stays where it is, it's the axle/assembly.

I had a similar problem a few years ago, it was an almost-new tire that started thumping similarly to how you describe. Took it back to where I bought it, they put it on the balancing machine, tried to balance it then said my rim was bad. I got them to take the tire off the rim and spin balance the rim by itself. Rim was nearly perfect, so it had to be the tire. They concluded the belts had slipped and got me a new tire....

[AlohaBra]

1. Jack it up and run in two wheel drive* I have had an axle bearing go at one time
2. Put the spare on and try it or go RF to RR to test.
3. Since you have the Command Trac in 2WD it is not the 4X4.