2004 Jeep Liberty Rear End Issue

[TDean]

I have a 2004 Jeep Liberty that has been my daily driver for several years now. Some time back I started to notice that if I let off the throttle and and then accelerated that I would like the rear diff shifted. Over time it has gotten worse so I started reading through different forums and everything seemed to point to the lower rear control arms. I replaced those and no change. I replaced the Upper Control arm and still no change. I do hear an occasional clunk but haven't been able to find a direct relation to the rear end waggle. Jeep has approx. 150k miles, everything is solid underneath, no rust or damage. Springs and shock all good. Front suspension and steering all good. No grinding or vibrations. Tire pressure is good and tires in great shape.

If anyone has any suggestions as to what to check next it would be greatly appreciated, I'm puzzled by this one. My next step is going to be to strap my GoPro underneath and see if I can see any indication of what might bee happening.

 

[KJowner]

That's strange, you have done the usual causes of rear end steering. Was there no improvement at all with replacement lower arms?
Try swapping the wheels front to back.

 

[TDean]

That's strange, you have done the usual causes of rear end steering. Was there no improvement at all with replacement lower arms?
Try swapping the wheels front to back.

No change. Wheels and tires good. Swerves when you let off or get back on throttle like typical with bad lower control arms. Also feels squirrely on uneven or dippy road. At times it almost feels like driving with both rear tires at really low air pressure but I've checked that too.

 

[KJowner]

Check the front lower ball joint and track rod ends, there isn't much else at the back to look at!

 

[TDean]

Check the front lower ball joint and track rod ends, there isn't much else at the back to look at!

Checked front end. Everything looks good visually. No play. No shake or shimmy in steering. Jeep is solid, no rust or I would think something going on with unibody.

 

[KJowner]

Really strange, I think your right about setting up the camera to see what's happening, only other thing that comes to mind is faulty new bushes, But that's grasping at straws!

 

[u2slow]

Any bolt holes egged out?

 

[ikuo78]

Are your Trac-Lok's stuck?
Another possibility is that one of the brakes is stuck on.

 

[seafish]

My guess would also be bad new lower control arms or maybe the mounting bracket holes are egged out

 

[DadOSix]

Broken/loose upper control arm ball joint mount.

Where the stud for the upper control arm in the rear attaches to the rear differential.

It is about the only thing left back there! i had one break from fatigue.

also take another look at your lowers. the arm can look good but the bushings do wear out.