97 Cherokee w/ rear end vibration when decelerating

[cordy74]

I've got a '97 Cherokee Country, 4.0L, 4WD with 110,000 miles on it that hums and vibrates when I decelerate. The vibration happens when I let my foot off the gas and does not stop until the Jeep comes to a stop. Vibration frequency is consistent with speed (decreases as speed decreases) and occurs with or without braking and in Drive or Neutral. I've checked out the U-joints and they all look and feel solid. It seems to be coming from the rear of the Jeep but I can't be completely positive on that. The vibration also disappears if I put my foot back on the gas and accelerate. I'm afraid the rear differential might be going out on me but don't know for sure. Any comments or suggestions?

[Cherokee98]

Hi, i have a similar problem, my 98 cherokee often (not always) shakes when i go over a 100km/h and then when i slitly press on the brakes it shakes even more and i often have to let go the brakes to make it stop shaking. It also shakes when i switch lanes at about 100km/h. Any comments will be appreciated.

[Dale Aeppli]

Originally Posted by cordy74

I've got a '97 Cherokee Country, 4.0L, 4WD with 110,000 miles on it that hums and vibrates when I decelerate. The vibration happens when I let my foot off the gas and does not stop until the Jeep comes to a stop. Vibration frequency is consistent with speed (decreases as speed decreases) and occurs with or without braking and in Drive or Neutral. I've checked out the U-joints and they all look and feel solid. It seems to be coming from the rear of the Jeep but I can't be completely positive on that. The vibration also disappears if I put my foot back on the gas and accelerate. I'm afraid the rear differential might be going out on me but don't know for sure. Any comments or suggestions?

HI I WOULD RECHECK THE UNIVERSAL JOINTS THEY CAN BE BAD & UNLESS YOU DROP THE DRIVESHAFT & CHECK THEM BY REMOVING THE DRIVESHAFT SO YOU CAN ACTUALLY CHECK THEM BY HAND FOR TIGHTNESS IF YOU JEEP IS A HIGH MILEAGE VEHICLE IT MIGHT BE WISE TO DROP THE DRIVESHAFT & CHECK. IF YOU DO DROP IT ON YOUR OWN BE SURE TO YOU HOLD THE 2 CAPS ON THE REAR UNIVERSAL JOINT. DON'T LET THEM FALL OFF THE NEEDLE BEARINGS WILL FALL ALL APART. THE DRIVE LINE CAN HIDE A LOT OF SLACK THAT YOU CAN'T NOTICE, WHEN IT IS IN PLACE DALE [email protected]