crazy shake

collegekid20 · #1 06-13-2005, 09:01 AM

Well i can't figure out what is wrong with my 96 cherokee. When on the highway traveling between 45 and 60 i get a constant shake that comes from my front wheels. It is not extreme (shaking the whole vehicle) but it is certainly noticable. It is not there when i drive past 65 up to 70 or 80 and when i drop below 45. However on a two occasions i was exiting the highway and as soon as i spplied the brake the front steering column and front wheels starting shaking so violently i thought my entire drive train was going to fall off. I spent the weekend replacing the right side upper and lower ball joints because they were shot and taking all the tie rods off and checking them. All the tie rods were in good shape but i replaced the boots because they were worn. I thought i had fixed the problem. It did the same thing on the way to work this morning and i don't now what to do short of paying some place to tell me whats wrong. Anyone have any ideas of what else i could check before i take it in. Thanks.

thinmints · #2 06-13-2005, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by collegekid20

Well i can't figure out what is wrong with my 96 cherokee. When on the highway traveling between 45 and 60 i get a constant shake that comes from my front wheels. It is not extreme (shaking the whole vehicle) but it is certainly noticable. It is not there when i drive past 65 up to 70 or 80 and when i drop below 45. However on a two occasions i was exiting the highway and as soon as i spplied the brake the front steering column and front wheels starting shaking so violently i thought my entire drive train was going to fall off. I spent the weekend replacing the right side upper and lower ball joints because they were shot and taking all the tie rods off and checking them. All the tie rods were in good shape but i replaced the boots because they were worn. I thought i had fixed the problem. It did the same thing on the way to work this morning and i don't now what to do short of paying some place to tell me whats wrong. Anyone have any ideas of what else i could check before i take it in. Thanks.

You have Death Wobble it has been coverd in this form many times, you might check your steering shock also you may want to see if your fromt rotors have been replaced under the recall notice, other than that you have covered just about any other possible causes a front end alignment will help as well

rksnc · #3 06-13-2005, 02:27 PM

I would bet that the rotors are warp. One test is to stop by appling the hand brake. This way you are slowing the Jeep down with just the rear brakes. This will show that it is mostly in the front brakes. If they have never been change before you will find that they are composit rotors and the replace will not be. Depnding on mileage calipers may need to b changed. They may be dragging and causes some heat build up. This will also cause rotors to warp.

collegekid20 · #4 06-13-2005, 03:17 PM

I put new rotors and brakes on maybe 4 months ago they are both still in good shape. I do have another opinion i am going to test this evening. I was told i may have a crossed or broken wire inside my tire that has not yet blown i am not sure this is the problem but i am going to test it out tonight by swaping my fronts and rears ans seeing if it makes a difference. I'll post what i find!

collegekid20 · #5 06-14-2005, 08:25 AM

well i had a tire weight off the front left tire so i got those balanced. The rears have recently been balanced as well. The shake is mostly gone. No trouble on braking and driving is fine except for a quite small tremor when driving aroun 65. I think i may have to adjust my steering box or somthing to work that out. anywaz thanks for the help.

IdahoJeeper · #6 06-15-2005, 01:43 AM

dont forget that suggestion for the steering stabilizer. if that's gone you'll notice every little wiggle coming out of your front end...

TinterJim · #7 06-15-2005, 08:05 PM

I would get a new steering stablizer just for good measure. They are not expensive and easy to put on.

collegekid20 · #8 06-16-2005, 11:28 AM

i put on a new stabalizer arm on when i replaced the tie rod boots. The shake is minimal and i am not worried that it will be much of a problem. The jeep has 240k on it and i am looking at getting a newer jeep soon and seing this one. For the price i am selling i fdon't think a little wiggle will be much of an issue. Thanks for all the advice everyone offered. If you are in the indiana area and looking for a strong jeep motor let me know i am asking 2200 for the vehicle. I have repared all the body rust and the engine is still very strong. Its a really good vehicle ust maybe a little dirty at the moment.

Arctic4lo · #9 06-17-2005, 03:56 AM

Balance your tires. Check your trackbar for tightness. Get an alignment. Check all other nuts and bolts.

elkriver · #10 06-29-2005, 04:21 PM

my 96 shakes like a s.o.b. under the conditions described.I put a steering stabilizer on had the brakes done front end is tight and new wheels.Guess what ,it still shakes .

89ltd · #11 07-03-2005, 12:07 PM

I had the same problem with my 89 ltd. , it was the TRACKBAR....

Kings-x59 · #12 07-04-2005, 01:50 PM

Take a look at the front stabalizer bar bushings and link bushings. Doing all of them at once runs about 70 or 80 bucks. Easy to do - minimal wrenching and no special tools.
This tightened up my front end a bunch on my '96. But, I have bad news, if this doesn't resolve the vibration, it's time for new ball joints.

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