2004TJ front end wobble
#71
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: 2004TJ front end wobble
Jerry -
Much thanks. I am so glad to hear there is a specific cause and cure.
I'll check the trackbar tonight.
I took the Jeep to my (non-dealership) mechanic to have the tires
rotated and balanced. What this did was change the wobble
significantly - instead of starting from the driver's side wheel and
proceeding through the top (feels like the top anyway) of the front
suspension, that same kind of bump doesn't do anything. Instead, now a
more shallow ridge-type bump hitting both wheels starts the oscillation
and it remains in the bottom of the suspension evenly distributed
between both wheels. Unfortunately this never damps out and requires
slowing alot before it stops.
But it changed. Next is to check the trackbar bolt, tighten as
necessary, check the rest of the front end for anything unusual while
it is up off the ground, then back to the mechanic tomorrow morning to
insist on perfect balance on the front tires and to have the alignment
checked.
I'll keep updating as this goes. Appreciate the feedback.
--doug
Much thanks. I am so glad to hear there is a specific cause and cure.
I'll check the trackbar tonight.
I took the Jeep to my (non-dealership) mechanic to have the tires
rotated and balanced. What this did was change the wobble
significantly - instead of starting from the driver's side wheel and
proceeding through the top (feels like the top anyway) of the front
suspension, that same kind of bump doesn't do anything. Instead, now a
more shallow ridge-type bump hitting both wheels starts the oscillation
and it remains in the bottom of the suspension evenly distributed
between both wheels. Unfortunately this never damps out and requires
slowing alot before it stops.
But it changed. Next is to check the trackbar bolt, tighten as
necessary, check the rest of the front end for anything unusual while
it is up off the ground, then back to the mechanic tomorrow morning to
insist on perfect balance on the front tires and to have the alignment
checked.
I'll keep updating as this goes. Appreciate the feedback.
--doug
#72
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: 2004TJ front end wobble
Jerry -
Much thanks. I am so glad to hear there is a specific cause and cure.
I'll check the trackbar tonight.
I took the Jeep to my (non-dealership) mechanic to have the tires
rotated and balanced. What this did was change the wobble
significantly - instead of starting from the driver's side wheel and
proceeding through the top (feels like the top anyway) of the front
suspension, that same kind of bump doesn't do anything. Instead, now a
more shallow ridge-type bump hitting both wheels starts the oscillation
and it remains in the bottom of the suspension evenly distributed
between both wheels. Unfortunately this never damps out and requires
slowing alot before it stops.
But it changed. Next is to check the trackbar bolt, tighten as
necessary, check the rest of the front end for anything unusual while
it is up off the ground, then back to the mechanic tomorrow morning to
insist on perfect balance on the front tires and to have the alignment
checked.
I'll keep updating as this goes. Appreciate the feedback.
--doug
Much thanks. I am so glad to hear there is a specific cause and cure.
I'll check the trackbar tonight.
I took the Jeep to my (non-dealership) mechanic to have the tires
rotated and balanced. What this did was change the wobble
significantly - instead of starting from the driver's side wheel and
proceeding through the top (feels like the top anyway) of the front
suspension, that same kind of bump doesn't do anything. Instead, now a
more shallow ridge-type bump hitting both wheels starts the oscillation
and it remains in the bottom of the suspension evenly distributed
between both wheels. Unfortunately this never damps out and requires
slowing alot before it stops.
But it changed. Next is to check the trackbar bolt, tighten as
necessary, check the rest of the front end for anything unusual while
it is up off the ground, then back to the mechanic tomorrow morning to
insist on perfect balance on the front tires and to have the alignment
checked.
I'll keep updating as this goes. Appreciate the feedback.
--doug
#73
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: 2004TJ front end wobble
Jerry -
Much thanks. I am so glad to hear there is a specific cause and cure.
I'll check the trackbar tonight.
I took the Jeep to my (non-dealership) mechanic to have the tires
rotated and balanced. What this did was change the wobble
significantly - instead of starting from the driver's side wheel and
proceeding through the top (feels like the top anyway) of the front
suspension, that same kind of bump doesn't do anything. Instead, now a
more shallow ridge-type bump hitting both wheels starts the oscillation
and it remains in the bottom of the suspension evenly distributed
between both wheels. Unfortunately this never damps out and requires
slowing alot before it stops.
But it changed. Next is to check the trackbar bolt, tighten as
necessary, check the rest of the front end for anything unusual while
it is up off the ground, then back to the mechanic tomorrow morning to
insist on perfect balance on the front tires and to have the alignment
checked.
I'll keep updating as this goes. Appreciate the feedback.
--doug
Much thanks. I am so glad to hear there is a specific cause and cure.
I'll check the trackbar tonight.
I took the Jeep to my (non-dealership) mechanic to have the tires
rotated and balanced. What this did was change the wobble
significantly - instead of starting from the driver's side wheel and
proceeding through the top (feels like the top anyway) of the front
suspension, that same kind of bump doesn't do anything. Instead, now a
more shallow ridge-type bump hitting both wheels starts the oscillation
and it remains in the bottom of the suspension evenly distributed
between both wheels. Unfortunately this never damps out and requires
slowing alot before it stops.
But it changed. Next is to check the trackbar bolt, tighten as
necessary, check the rest of the front end for anything unusual while
it is up off the ground, then back to the mechanic tomorrow morning to
insist on perfect balance on the front tires and to have the alignment
checked.
I'll keep updating as this goes. Appreciate the feedback.
--doug
#74
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: 2004TJ front end wobble
> So I switched to a street tire (BFG radial long trail T/A)and have
> never had a problem since, the car runs so smooth that its hard to
> believe your actually in a Jeep.
Sounds like tires could be one of the causes. That would be a shame,
the Goodyear MTRs still look very good on the car. I'll keep this in
mind if I can't get the balance correct or if I find the tire is out of
round as another poster suggested.
I am so hoping that tightening the trackbar will stop this.
--doug
> never had a problem since, the car runs so smooth that its hard to
> believe your actually in a Jeep.
Sounds like tires could be one of the causes. That would be a shame,
the Goodyear MTRs still look very good on the car. I'll keep this in
mind if I can't get the balance correct or if I find the tire is out of
round as another poster suggested.
I am so hoping that tightening the trackbar will stop this.
--doug
#75
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: 2004TJ front end wobble
> So I switched to a street tire (BFG radial long trail T/A)and have
> never had a problem since, the car runs so smooth that its hard to
> believe your actually in a Jeep.
Sounds like tires could be one of the causes. That would be a shame,
the Goodyear MTRs still look very good on the car. I'll keep this in
mind if I can't get the balance correct or if I find the tire is out of
round as another poster suggested.
I am so hoping that tightening the trackbar will stop this.
--doug
> never had a problem since, the car runs so smooth that its hard to
> believe your actually in a Jeep.
Sounds like tires could be one of the causes. That would be a shame,
the Goodyear MTRs still look very good on the car. I'll keep this in
mind if I can't get the balance correct or if I find the tire is out of
round as another poster suggested.
I am so hoping that tightening the trackbar will stop this.
--doug
#76
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: 2004TJ front end wobble
> So I switched to a street tire (BFG radial long trail T/A)and have
> never had a problem since, the car runs so smooth that its hard to
> believe your actually in a Jeep.
Sounds like tires could be one of the causes. That would be a shame,
the Goodyear MTRs still look very good on the car. I'll keep this in
mind if I can't get the balance correct or if I find the tire is out of
round as another poster suggested.
I am so hoping that tightening the trackbar will stop this.
--doug
> never had a problem since, the car runs so smooth that its hard to
> believe your actually in a Jeep.
Sounds like tires could be one of the causes. That would be a shame,
the Goodyear MTRs still look very good on the car. I'll keep this in
mind if I can't get the balance correct or if I find the tire is out of
round as another poster suggested.
I am so hoping that tightening the trackbar will stop this.
--doug
#77
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: 2004TJ front end wobble
> So I switched to a street tire (BFG radial long trail T/A)and have
> never had a problem since, the car runs so smooth that its hard to
> believe your actually in a Jeep.
Sounds like tires could be one of the causes. That would be a shame,
the Goodyear MTRs still look very good on the car. I'll keep this in
mind if I can't get the balance correct or if I find the tire is out of
round as another poster suggested.
I am so hoping that tightening the trackbar will stop this.
--doug
> never had a problem since, the car runs so smooth that its hard to
> believe your actually in a Jeep.
Sounds like tires could be one of the causes. That would be a shame,
the Goodyear MTRs still look very good on the car. I'll keep this in
mind if I can't get the balance correct or if I find the tire is out of
round as another poster suggested.
I am so hoping that tightening the trackbar will stop this.
--doug
#78
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: 2004TJ front end wobble
Update -
I tightened the trackbar bolt at the axle to 50 ft-lbs - that made a
difference in the handling, but when I decided to try for 55 ft-lbs,
the bolt broke. Fortunately retrieving the nut from inside the bracket
wasn't too difficult...
The FSM specifies 40 ft-lbs - and it looks like that's about the limit.
Also - all that should be needed with a rubber bushing like that is
enough torque to secure the bolt - the mating of rubber bushing at the
center to bolt should do the rest. Excessive lateral torque would
cause the compressed surface of bolt -> bracket -> surface of bushing
->anterior surface of bushing -> bracket -> nut to bear, which is not
right. Sigh. I should have checked the setting before tightening.
It's possible the bushing is worn, but it doesn't look it. I can get a
replacement bolt tomorrow, tighten it to the 40 ft-lb setting, then see
where we go from there.
--doug
I tightened the trackbar bolt at the axle to 50 ft-lbs - that made a
difference in the handling, but when I decided to try for 55 ft-lbs,
the bolt broke. Fortunately retrieving the nut from inside the bracket
wasn't too difficult...
The FSM specifies 40 ft-lbs - and it looks like that's about the limit.
Also - all that should be needed with a rubber bushing like that is
enough torque to secure the bolt - the mating of rubber bushing at the
center to bolt should do the rest. Excessive lateral torque would
cause the compressed surface of bolt -> bracket -> surface of bushing
->anterior surface of bushing -> bracket -> nut to bear, which is not
right. Sigh. I should have checked the setting before tightening.
It's possible the bushing is worn, but it doesn't look it. I can get a
replacement bolt tomorrow, tighten it to the 40 ft-lb setting, then see
where we go from there.
--doug
#79
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: 2004TJ front end wobble
Update -
I tightened the trackbar bolt at the axle to 50 ft-lbs - that made a
difference in the handling, but when I decided to try for 55 ft-lbs,
the bolt broke. Fortunately retrieving the nut from inside the bracket
wasn't too difficult...
The FSM specifies 40 ft-lbs - and it looks like that's about the limit.
Also - all that should be needed with a rubber bushing like that is
enough torque to secure the bolt - the mating of rubber bushing at the
center to bolt should do the rest. Excessive lateral torque would
cause the compressed surface of bolt -> bracket -> surface of bushing
->anterior surface of bushing -> bracket -> nut to bear, which is not
right. Sigh. I should have checked the setting before tightening.
It's possible the bushing is worn, but it doesn't look it. I can get a
replacement bolt tomorrow, tighten it to the 40 ft-lb setting, then see
where we go from there.
--doug
I tightened the trackbar bolt at the axle to 50 ft-lbs - that made a
difference in the handling, but when I decided to try for 55 ft-lbs,
the bolt broke. Fortunately retrieving the nut from inside the bracket
wasn't too difficult...
The FSM specifies 40 ft-lbs - and it looks like that's about the limit.
Also - all that should be needed with a rubber bushing like that is
enough torque to secure the bolt - the mating of rubber bushing at the
center to bolt should do the rest. Excessive lateral torque would
cause the compressed surface of bolt -> bracket -> surface of bushing
->anterior surface of bushing -> bracket -> nut to bear, which is not
right. Sigh. I should have checked the setting before tightening.
It's possible the bushing is worn, but it doesn't look it. I can get a
replacement bolt tomorrow, tighten it to the 40 ft-lb setting, then see
where we go from there.
--doug
#80
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: 2004TJ front end wobble
Update -
I tightened the trackbar bolt at the axle to 50 ft-lbs - that made a
difference in the handling, but when I decided to try for 55 ft-lbs,
the bolt broke. Fortunately retrieving the nut from inside the bracket
wasn't too difficult...
The FSM specifies 40 ft-lbs - and it looks like that's about the limit.
Also - all that should be needed with a rubber bushing like that is
enough torque to secure the bolt - the mating of rubber bushing at the
center to bolt should do the rest. Excessive lateral torque would
cause the compressed surface of bolt -> bracket -> surface of bushing
->anterior surface of bushing -> bracket -> nut to bear, which is not
right. Sigh. I should have checked the setting before tightening.
It's possible the bushing is worn, but it doesn't look it. I can get a
replacement bolt tomorrow, tighten it to the 40 ft-lb setting, then see
where we go from there.
--doug
I tightened the trackbar bolt at the axle to 50 ft-lbs - that made a
difference in the handling, but when I decided to try for 55 ft-lbs,
the bolt broke. Fortunately retrieving the nut from inside the bracket
wasn't too difficult...
The FSM specifies 40 ft-lbs - and it looks like that's about the limit.
Also - all that should be needed with a rubber bushing like that is
enough torque to secure the bolt - the mating of rubber bushing at the
center to bolt should do the rest. Excessive lateral torque would
cause the compressed surface of bolt -> bracket -> surface of bushing
->anterior surface of bushing -> bracket -> nut to bear, which is not
right. Sigh. I should have checked the setting before tightening.
It's possible the bushing is worn, but it doesn't look it. I can get a
replacement bolt tomorrow, tighten it to the 40 ft-lb setting, then see
where we go from there.
--doug