Please see my sig. for spec.

I have been noticing a slight vibration in the steering wheel for the past few months. I think that it is actually coming from the front right side of the jeep. Over the past couple weeks, I have noticed that I am now getting a vibration through the whole vehicle at highway speeds. Nothing outrageous, but just enough to feel it. I brought it to the dealer to let them take a look at it. The first thing they said is that I should go back and have a balance and alignment done. I go and have the balance and alignment done, and I am still feeling this vibration. I don't think it is as bad as it was before the work, but it's still there.

Of course the dealership has said that if the balance and alignment don't solve the problem, that they might have an issue warrantying the work because of the aftermarket mods.

My question is with the small lift and spacers I have on the jeep, is that enough to have caused a mechanical breakdown of something up front on the jeep?

Any input is greatly appreciated.

db1

 

I would start by going over the spacers/wheels, and all the suspension bolts and making sure they are torqued to spec and done so properly (IE jeep on ground to torque track bar, etc.)

If this is something that is slowly creeping in, it sounds like maybe something is loosening up. Check your Ball joints for excessive play, generally give everything a good look over and see if you can spot anything.

It's possible you slung a wheel weight, but it sounds more like a slow progression, and the wheel weight wouldnt act that way, it would be rather immediate.

 

I didn't change out the trackbar when I did the left. I hardly got any shift in the axles. I rotate the tires every 5k, and I check to make sure the spacers are tighten up good. I've never felt a loose one.

What is the best way to check the ball joints? Someone told me to jack up the front of the jeep, and grap the wheel at 9 o'clock and 3 o'clock, and see if there was any movement in the tire. When I did this, the whole steering wheel moved. I had my wife try to hold the steering wheel in place, and I was still able to get some movement. Would my mods put an unusual stress on the ball joints?

As far as the wheel weights, that was taken care of when they balanced the tires.

 

the trackbar comment was just an example of torqueing things while they are in thier proper position. some people torque the trackbar with the jeep in the air, and that is incorrect, it will cause it to bind.

Just because you didnt change it out, doesnt mean you shouldnt check the torques on the bolts as they could be loosening up.

Have you gone through and greased everything that can be?

You did what i would do to check my balljoints. No, your mods shouldnt effect them, but that doesnt mean you cant have a bad one either, so they should be checked.

I would have the wife sit in the Jeep and move the steering back and forth slightly while you stay under the front of the Jeep and keep a close eye on the components for excessive movement.

Is your steering stab leaking?

I run spidertrack spacers as well, nearly 20k miles on them and never once did they loosen, but i was just trying to help you cover all the bases to maybe see where the problem is.

I understand that they rebalanced your tires, I had mine rebalanced 4 times in as many months until i found someone who did it right.

If all that yields no results, I am out of ideas.

 

I appreciate the help. Thank you.

 

drive shaft and axle u-joints are more famous for causing a vibration. check those too

 

I'd check the SS too. It may have been leaking slowly and just finally gave out. When running larger tires, it is harder for the SS to keep the slightest bump from keeping them running in a straight line.

 

I would check the laws in your state I do not beleive that the minor mods you have made is cause to void the warranty. Offroad abuse is another story, not saying you are - likely not with ATs.

It is just a dealship being a dealership.

 

I had a slight vibration in my Jeep and when I checked the toe i was toed out 1/8" so I toed in 1/8" and the vibration was gone.

 

I have to ask a dumb question....what is SS???

Also, only done some minor offroading. Nothing that I would think would have caused any damage.