Vibration between 45 and 55 mph

[FMfm]

I have a 07 Liberty Sport all stock with 65K miles on it. This week I started getting a very annoying vibration commencing at 45 mph. It seems to diminish above 60 and also seems to get a little worse when you step on the gas. You can feel it in the seat of your pants and in the steering wheel. Could it be U-joints? Front drive shaft? Can you give me a list of things to check and how to check them? Thanks.

 

[tommudd]

I would start with the rear u-joints, mine went out at about 55,000. They felt tight but when I tore them down they were almost rusted solid
Next would be the rear boot on the front driveshaft
Start there

 

[Karlosfandango]

Try rotating tyres? I had a slight rumble/vibration at 60mph from the back. Swapped tyres round and it appears to have sorted it.

 

[FMfm]

I just crawled under it and looked at the front drive shaft. Both boots are intact and I can't detect any slop at all in the CV joints at either end. I will have to pull the rear drive shaft later. I did replace the rear u-joint about a year and a half ago but maybe the front one is shot now.

 

[Hedsic]

Mines does this as well. When I checked the Ujoints after driving it everything was cool to the touch so i'm still trying to figure out what it is.

 

[tommudd]

I just crawled under it and looked at the front drive shaft. Both boots are intact and I can't detect any slop at all in the CV joints at either end. I will have to pull the rear drive shaft later. I did replace the rear u-joint about a year and a half ago but maybe the front one is shot now.

Didn't know you had replaced one before,....I always replace both and then you're done hopefully for a while

 

[Luke]

I have replaced the Ujoints .. and my vibe still remains. Does it shake your rear view mirror? I'm thinking of having the shaft balanced next.

 

[FMfm]

There is another guy here at work who also owns a Liberty. I described the symptoms to him and he agrees its the u-joints on the rear drive shaft because his does the exact same thing. He says he has replaced his u-joint so often that he went to a junk yard and bought a second drive shaft that he pre-loaded with a new set of u-joints for when they crap out again. That way he can just swap drive shafts and be on his way again. I plan to replace both joints tonight and will report back tomorrow.

 

[Luke]

^^^ I wish mine was that simple... there was absolutely no change to the vibes.

When I am loaded to the max... the vibe is gone. I am certainly no expert but it would seem that in that situation the slip yoke is pushed back (fwd) to near stock position.

I am afraid (in my situation) it may just the pinion angle / slip yoke issue... and I haven't found a quick and easy solution to that.... yet


NOTE: I didn't read that your KJ is stock ... until after my post... apples and oranges

 

[FMfm]

It was the rear U-Joint on the rear drive shaft. Replaced them both and vibration is gone. Glad it was a relatively easy and inexpensive fix. It is interesting how that vibration transmitted so well to the steering wheel. Thank you tommud.

 

[KeriRae]

There is another guy here at work who also owns a Liberty. I described the symptoms to him and he agrees its the u-joints on the rear drive shaft because his does the exact same thing. He says he has replaced his u-joint so often that he went to a junk yard and bought a second drive shaft that he pre-loaded with a new set of u-joints for when they crap out again. That way he can just swap drive shafts and be on his way again. I plan to replace both joints tonight and will report back tomorrow.

It was the rear U-Joint on the rear drive shaft. Replaced them both and vibration is gone. Glad it was a relatively easy and inexpensive fix. It is interesting how that vibration transmitted so well to the steering wheel. Thank you tommud.

Thanks for posting this question. I just bought a 2007 Liberty with the same issue. There were many opinions around me about what it could be but none made sense. This may have just saved me a lot of time and money.
Now, I gotta fix this damn PT light and I'm good to go!

 

[KeriRae]

I have a 07 Liberty Sport all stock with 65K miles on it. This week I started getting a very annoying vibration commencing at 45 mph. It seems to diminish above 60 and also seems to get a little worse when you step on the gas. You can feel it in the seat of your pants and in the steering wheel. Could it be U-joints? Front drive shaft? Can you give me a list of things to check and how to check them? Thanks.

I have this issue and also get a huge thump while driving on the highway. It's strong enough to scare anybody. Then the 4x4 light comes on. It's the light with the swerving waves under the truck. I think that means it's in 4x4.
After that happens, it seems to jack up the rpms and kind of jerks when you slow down.
I was wondering if that's the ujoint too.

Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[duderz7]

Sounds to me like u joint as well, replace both. The light you describe sounds like it has something to do with traction control. If you drivline is flopping around it could be telling your computer wheels are slipping. Your description sounds like u joint are in bad shape, replace ASAP. You don't want that thing breaking loose at highway speeds.

 

[KeriRae]

There is another guy here at work who also owns a Liberty. I described the symptoms to him and he agrees its the u-joints on the rear drive shaft because his does the exact same thing. He says he has replaced his u-joint so often that he went to a junk yard and bought a second drive shaft that he pre-loaded with a new set of u-joints for when they crap out again. That way he can just swap drive shafts and be on his way again. I plan to replace both joints tonight and will report back tomorrow.

People say I should replace both ujoints. I found them online for less than $15. Which doesn't sound right. Do I need to replace the drive shaft? How can I tell if the drive shaft needs to be replaced?
Does anybody know what parts I need? I don't want to replace one then find it didn't solve the problem.
Thank you

 

[KeriRae]

Let me ask again because my mechanic is saying I don't need to replace the shaft.

What else would make the joints go out and will they go out again if I don't replace the shaft?

Does anybody know? I am now getting it at 40mph and don't want to drive it above 30mph.

 

[HoosierJeeper]

The auto part store Ujoints are trash, I was replacing them annually. Go to a local driveshaft shop and see if you can get Neapco ones. I think I paid $8 each. The owner said he used to use Spicers, but they have gone down in quality so he switched. Actually, you could just take them the whole driveshaft and have them replace the U joints.

 

[Jeremy-WI]

You don't need to replace the driveshaft unless it is damaged, the u joint does have needle bearings that need grease and even the best sealed bearings will go dry eventually and the joint will go bad

 

[duderz7]

Take the whole shaft to the driveline shop, they'll be able to tell you if your shaft needs replaced or just joints. This is on my to do list also.

 

[jeeptorino68]

If your u joints are so bad that it is flopping around that much to cause the Trac control light to come on it woukd have broken or fallen apart by now...

Likely multiple things coming to light at ince. Sounds like you are already replacing u jojnts.
Any codes or check engine light?
Tires are balanced and tightened properly?

 

[KeriRae]

Thank you to everybody who answered.
I agree that the issues appear to be seperate.

I think the cost is what got me thinking I was missing something since Ujoints are just $25 each.

I will do what y'all recommend.
Thanks so much!