Vibration

[Ray A]

New to the site. Have 06 Liberty about 4 yrs now. Daughter owned it 6 yrs before me and she drove it like she thought it was a tank. I've replaced most of the front end. I occasionally get a strong vibration I feel in the steering wheel and brake pedal on the highway. If I pull over to the shoulder and stop hard, take off again it stops. Anyone have a thought on that?

 

[HoosierJeeper]

Is it when braking?

 

[LibertyTC]

Welcome to the forum. Sounds like a warped front brake rotor or a sticking caliper.
Shops can easily tell by using a run out dial indicator.

 

[HoosierJeeper]

Could be slide pins too...I’m replacing the caliper bracket for that issue. Rather would try that first than have to get a reman caliper!

 

[Ray A]

It does it only occasionally. Can't feel it until over 60ish mph. Then braking hard to a stop makes it go away.

 

[HoosierJeeper]

Does it only happen if you’re braking? Is the torque converter locking up (RPMs dropping) as it happens?

 

[Ray A]

When the vibration happens it feels strongest in the steering wheel. Can actually see it. It's just strange how I can pull over, brake hard to a stop, then take off again and it goes away. A mechanic friend said it could ''possibly'' be a bearing race slipping out of place and seating back in after the hard breaking. I'm stumped. Don't want to spend for a repair then find out it wasn't the problem.

 

[JasonJ]

When the vibration happens it feels strongest in the steering wheel. Can actually see it. It's just strange how I can pull over, brake hard to a stop, then take off again and it goes away. A mechanic friend said it could ''possibly'' be a bearing race slipping out of place and seating back in after the hard breaking. I'm stumped. Don't want to spend for a repair then find out it wasn't the problem.

If hard braking resolves it temporarily, it seems to me that something is shifting out of place for sure... but more likely a control arm/bushing issue, or perhaps an axle mount, or brake caliper mounting problem.

Has anyone actually gotten under it to inspect it, visually? Put hands on the bearing/hub assembly and checked for play? Looked for signs of worn control arm bushings, front/rear and top/bottom?

 

[HoosierJeeper]

Make sure your caliper bolts and caliper bracket bolts are tight too.