My XJ shakes at 55-60... CANT FIX IT!!!!

[cmacartney]

Hi everyone, I know this topic has come up in the past but nothin in them has helped me so far. My car shakes like the wheels are out of balance. Not all the time though... which is wierd. But at about 55-62mph. I have taken my jeep to 4 different shops and noone can fix it! At first I of course thought of the wheel balance. The has been done dozens of times and no help. (on the car and off) I have made sure my front end is in good shape and aligned and even replaced the brake rotors, ball joints, steering stablizer, shocks, and a few other parts. The ONLY thing that my mechanic thinks COULD solve it now, is I have about an inch of play in my steering box. That could cause the front end to shake. BUT its an $800 gamble that might not fix it! The only other cheaper thing to do is try new wheels and tires to eliminate that as a problem. Does anyone have any other advice? Its been happening for over a year and I'm gonna sell if it if doesnt stop! Thanks so much!

[Cam7]

A bad steering box will do that< I only had one vechile a Old T Bird, had to replace the box. Dont know if you can adjust the XJ I have to check the manual. Should be able to pick up a used one at a salvage yard reasonable.

[gtmud]

First thing, when does it shake, after you hit a bump in the road? Alignment is a major issue wiht the XJ. If it is out then wierd things happen. you mentioned that you changed items, how about the track bar? When the "shops" did the alignment, did they give you a print out of were your caster/camber, and toe-in/out was set to. My XJ developed a bad "wobble" after I installed a 2" lift, the alignment fixed it.
Yes, there is an adjustment for your steering box. On the top is a nut and a threaded shaft that should accept an alen wrench. Loosen the nut, and turn the shaft a little, check your steering, becareful not too over tighten the shaft. I agree with Cam7, go to the junk yard and get a steering box out of a newer wreck, much cheaper. Good luck.

[89ltd]

I have an 89 cherokee with the same problem but my track bar has about half inch play in it, the only way to check this is to look under with a flash light while somebody else turns the steering wheel back and forth to check the play. I noticed when my steering was turned from left to right, the wheels would not turn , however the front end would move from left to right, the whole body!!!! If I go under and grab it and try to move it , it feels solid. I have n't changed it yet so I cant' really say for sure. A new track bar ( non dealer ) $74 canadian. (I'm talking about where the ball joint bolts to the frame bracket)

[runuover]

Originally Posted by cmacartney

Hi everyone, I know this topic has come up in the past but nothin in them has helped me so far. My car shakes like the wheels are out of balance. Not all the time though... which is wierd. But at about 55-62mph. I have taken my jeep to 4 different shops and noone can fix it! At first I of course thought of the wheel balance. The has been done dozens of times and no help. (on the car and off) I have made sure my front end is in good shape and aligned and even replaced the brake rotors, ball joints, steering stablizer, shocks, and a few other parts. The ONLY thing that my mechanic thinks COULD solve it now, is I have about an inch of play in my steering box. That could cause the front end to shake. BUT its an $800 gamble that might not fix it! The only other cheaper thing to do is try new wheels and tires to eliminate that as a problem. Does anyone have any other advice? Its been happening for over a year and I'm gonna sell if it if doesnt stop! Thanks so much!

mine did that with my 36 inch super swampers and i replased all that crap and it turned out to be tire presure

[cmacartney]

its the weirdest thing. It feels sorta OK now... but its still there. I think its the wheels. When my shop balances them, I drive it and its worse, i go back and then put all 4 wheels back on the balancer and they are off balance again! it happens everytime!!! So im thinking of new wheels and tires to see if thats it. I DO also have about and inch of play in my steering, but i dont notice it when i hit a bump, so i have the feeling its the wheels/tires. thanks for all the imput!

[runuover]

Originally Posted by cmacartney

its the weirdest thing. It feels sorta OK now... but its still there. I think its the wheels. When my shop balances them, I drive it and its worse, i go back and then put all 4 wheels back on the balancer and they are off balance again! it happens everytime!!! So im thinking of new wheels and tires to see if thats it. I DO also have about and inch of play in my steering, but i dont notice it when i hit a bump, so i have the feeling its the wheels/tires. thanks for all the imput!

mine has got a little play in the steering but its not that bad mine might wobble if i hit a good bump but thats the price u pay to play.

[60thxjowner]

Originally Posted by cmacartney

Hi everyone, I know this topic has come up in the past but nothin in them has helped me so far. My car shakes like the wheels are out of balance. Not all the time though... which is wierd. But at about 55-62mph. I have taken my jeep to 4 different shops and noone can fix it! At first I of course thought of the wheel balance. The has been done dozens of times and no help. (on the car and off) I have made sure my front end is in good shape and aligned and even replaced the brake rotors, ball joints, steering stablizer, shocks, and a few other parts. The ONLY thing that my mechanic thinks COULD solve it now, is I have about an inch of play in my steering box. That could cause the front end to shake. BUT its an $800 gamble that might not fix it! The only other cheaper thing to do is try new wheels and tires to eliminate that as a problem. Does anyone have any other advice? Its been happening for over a year and I'm gonna sell if it if doesnt stop! Thanks so much!

You could try taking a look at the transfer case...