2007 Liberty front vibration

[jetmech84]

2007 Liberty front vibration: cv axle or bad engine ?

I have been looking for the cause of a front vibe using a ton of great info on this forum. Started out by noticing the boot on the aft CV joint on the front propeller shaft was pretty much gone and the joint was sloppy. Removed the shaft and replaced the CV joint. The front joint was tight and moved freely so I left it alone. Put the shaft back in and it was better but still noticeable above 45 mph. Wheel bearings and ball joints seem to be in good shape but if I put my hand on the passenger side cv axle to intermediate shaft joint I can push the CV axle up about 10 degrees very easily. From everything I have read here this is not good. So this past week I took the Jeep to a local shop who said he works on a lot of Jeeps to get the cv axle and intermediate shaft replaced. He called me the next morning to tell me the drive line was fine and he is certain the vibration is actually a pulse in the exhaust system and I am going to need a new engine soon. It only has 129,000 miles on it and I would be surprised if the engine was no good any more. Needless to say I paid him a small diagnostic fee and ran away as fast as I could. I love this Jeep but can't afford a new or reman engine right now. Any words of wisdom from this group would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks everyone.

 

[Myke]

Where are you located? Maybe one of us is close enough to check it out in person or suggest a quality mechanic.

Is it lifted? Any other mods?

The cv should only move in towards the engine and out towards the wheel (left/right) not up and down I believe.

 

[Myke]

Where are you located? Maybe one of us is close enough to check it out in person or suggest a quality mechanic.

Is it lifted? Any other mods?

The cv should only move in towards the engine and out towards the wheel (left/right) not up and down I believe.

Did you check your ball joints? Rear shaft u joints?

 

[jetmech84]

I'm in Michigan, near Kalamazoo. Rear u joints seem fine. Just had the diff fluid and t-case fluid replaced. No leaks of any kind underneath.

 

[jetmech84]

And yes, it is lifted. Sorry, forgot to answer that one.

 

[Myke]

And yes, it is lifted. Sorry, forgot to answer that one.

How big of a lift. You're rear pinion angle can cause vibs around that speed.

 

[jetmech84]

It's a Daystar (I think) 2.5 lift kit. I did not install it - it was already lifted when I bought it 2 years ago. Ran fine with no vibes back then but about late May I stated noticing the vibes.

 

[HoosierJeeper]

I'm guessing intermediate shaft. Does it kind of sound/feel like an out of balance tire? That's how mine felt.

U joints can cause a vibration too, but they also usually make noises too. Any chirping sounds at low speeds?

 

[jetmech84]

Yes, it does kind of sound like an out of balance tire but I know they are good. Had them checked before I joined this group. No chirping or squeaking type sounds. Just the "thumping" sound when I am above about 45 mph. I put it on jack stands last weekend and took the front right tire off so I could watch the CV axle. When I rotate the hub the CV joint next to the intermediate shaft runs true for most of the revolution then kind of twists and jumps before running true again. Does it at very nearly the same spot every time. I really think I am going to have the intermediate shaft and passenger side CV axle replaced. Anyone else ever been told that a vibration can be caused by the exhaust ? This guy never did answer how that could happen. My assumption would be a valve issue ??

 

[HoosierJeeper]

I've never heard of exhaust causing a vibration...I mean maybe if something is seriously messed up but I'm guessing the vibration would be the least of your concerns.

Get a Napa reman passenger side CV and find an intermediate shaft on eBay, they're all the same.

 

[rjkj2005]

I have been looking for the cause of a front vibe using a ton of great info on this forum. Started out by noticing the boot on the aft CV joint on the front propeller shaft was pretty much gone and the joint was sloppy. Removed the shaft and replaced the CV joint. The front joint was tight and moved freely so I left it alone. Put the shaft back in and it was better but still noticeable above 45 mph. Wheel bearings and ball joints seem to be in good shape but if I put my hand on the passenger side cv axle to intermediate shaft joint I can push the CV axle up about 10 degrees very easily. From everything I have read here this is not good. So this past week I took the Jeep to a local shop who said he works on a lot of Jeeps to get the cv axle and intermediate shaft replaced. He called me the next morning to tell me the drive line was fine and he is certain the vibration is actually a pulse in the exhaust system and I am going to need a new engine soon. It only has 129,000 miles on it and I would be surprised if the engine was no good any more. Needless to say I paid him a small diagnostic fee and ran away as fast as I could. I love this Jeep but can't afford a new or reman engine right now. Any words of wisdom from this group would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks everyone.

This nylon bearing wears out in the passenger side axle tube. You can see how the bottom is worn. This allows the CV and inner axle to move up and down causing a vibration. There is a metal needle bearing available for a replacement.

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[jetmech84]

Exactly HoosierJeeper. That's what I was thinking too. Going with the NAPA reman and found the shaft on eBay for $98.00. Seriously appreciate your input and help.

 

[jetmech84]

Thanks rjkj2005 ! Excellent picture and I suspect that's my issue.

 

[HoosierJeeper]

Exactly HoosierJeeper. That's what I was thinking too. Going with the NAPA reman and found the shaft on eBay for $98.00. Seriously appreciate your input and help.

No prob!

Thanks rjkj2005 ! Excellent picture and I suspect that's my issue.

I've heard it's kind of a ***** to get to, that bearing. At 129k, you might just need the intermediate shaft and CV. That's all I've replaced on mine. Probably jinxed it now though. :gr_grin: Typically, the bearing makes a click noise. If you're replacing it yourself, I'd consider just doing the intermediate shaft and CV. If you're taking it in, I'd have them do the bearing and seal too.

 

[jetmech84]

I will be taking somewhere as soon as I find a mechanic with his brain in his head and not his buns. I'll have him look for the metal needle bearing that was mentioned in an earlier reply. I'll continue the thread as soon as I get the work done so I can share the result with the group.

 

[HoosierJeeper]

Find a place that'll let you bring stuff in. You might have to spec an 02 when you order the bearing, I think after 02 they got plastic but they might have even replaced that part # with plastic.

 

[kejobe]

This nylon bearing wears out in the passenger side axle tube. You can see how the bottom is worn. This allows the CV and inner axle to move up and down causing a vibration. There is a metal needle bearing available for a replacement.

Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk

This the one?

https://www.4wheelparts.com/Drivetr...tl00_ContentPlaceHolder1_pDetail_productSpecs

 

[rjkj2005]

This the one?

https://www.4wheelparts.com/Drivetr...tl00_ContentPlaceHolder1_pDetail_productSpecs

That appears to be it. Don't for get the seal and inner axle.

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[kejobe]

That appears to be it. Don't for get the seal and inner axle.

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I was just looking for if/when I need to do the cv's. Not needed right now. :gr_grin:

 

[smittyfromPA]

I had both CV axles and Intermediate replaced a few months ago and I still get a vibration noticeable after 55MPH. Its a rhythmic whoop-whoop or like a thuuuump thuuuump sound. Had tires balanced and rotated to rule that out. Rear u-joint and front driveshaft both replaced 26K miles ago, new upper and lower ball joints 11K miles ago. I stopped letting it drive me crazy (because it was driving me nuts) and just turn up the radio on the highway.