TJ: Front end bounce at certain speeds
 

I've got a 2002 TJ Sahara that has had a lingering problem that I have
yet to resolve. Whenever I'm on a highway, and reach speeds between 60
and 69 mph, the front end will start to vibrate and bounce -- it almost
feels like a wheel is leaving the ground. Once I hit 70+, it stops
vibrating (of course, it's not terribly safe going that fast in a
lifted Jeep). Under 60mph, no vibration. This started around 30,000
miles, and I never got the chance to take it in - I travel a ton and
rarely am home during the week to take it in.

Now, some history...

It started doing this about three months *before* I had a 4" Teraflex
lift, with Rancho Steering stabilizer, new wheels, new tires, new
shocks, and new springs installed. It still does it (at a different
speed, of course, because of the change in tire size). This pretty
much excludes a good part of the suspension from the list of suspects.

Also, another thing I've noticed is a clicking/popping/knocking sound
when I start moving or when I make a sharp (slow) turn.

I thought it might be tie rods or bearings, so I jacked up the front
axle and checked them out the best I could (the wheels are tight, and
wouldn't shake top/bottom and left/right).

I'm very out of warranty, and the dealer won't have anything to do with
me after I put the lift on (they say the lift caused the problem,
despite what I've told them).

Any ideas?

Re: TJ: Front end bounce at certain speeds
 

Of course they wont, dealers are primarily idiots IMO.

I would say that you have something starting to go bad in your front end. Could be a
simple as a u-joint going bad, or a bushing or whatever. I am sure the guys can help
you out more than I can.

Some thoughts:

Did you put in the drop pitman arm when you did the lift?

Have you checked all the bushings and ends on the track bar and drag link?

Did you check your ends on your sway bar, especially if the links were not changed
with the lift.

Does it always do it at that speed, no matter what road you are on? Or does it
change with a different road surface?

-jenn


On 10 Jul 2006 16:49:42 -0700, "Justin M" <xtexatl@gmail.com> wrote:

>>I've got a 2002 TJ Sahara that has had a lingering problem that I have
>>yet to resolve. Whenever I'm on a highway, and reach speeds between 60
>>and 69 mph, the front end will start to vibrate and bounce -- it almost
>>feels like a wheel is leaving the ground. Once I hit 70+, it stops
>>vibrating (of course, it's not terribly safe going that fast in a
>>lifted Jeep). Under 60mph, no vibration. This started around 30,000
>>miles, and I never got the chance to take it in - I travel a ton and
>>rarely am home during the week to take it in.
>>
>>Now, some history...
>>
>>It started doing this about three months *before* I had a 4" Teraflex
>>lift, with Rancho Steering stabilizer, new wheels, new tires, new
>>shocks, and new springs installed. It still does it (at a different
>>speed, of course, because of the change in tire size). This pretty
>>much excludes a good part of the suspension from the list of suspects.
>>
>>Also, another thing I've noticed is a clicking/popping/knocking sound
>>when I start moving or when I make a sharp (slow) turn.
>>
>>I thought it might be tie rods or bearings, so I jacked up the front
>>axle and checked them out the best I could (the wheels are tight, and
>>wouldn't shake top/bottom and left/right).
>>
>>I'm very out of warranty, and the dealer won't have anything to do with
>>me after I put the lift on (they say the lift caused the problem,
>>despite what I've told them).
>>
>>Any ideas?

Re: TJ: Front end bounce at certain speeds
 

Of course they wont, dealers are primarily idiots IMO.

I would say that you have something starting to go bad in your front end. Could be a
simple as a u-joint going bad, or a bushing or whatever. I am sure the guys can help
you out more than I can.

Some thoughts:

Did you put in the drop pitman arm when you did the lift?

Have you checked all the bushings and ends on the track bar and drag link?

Did you check your ends on your sway bar, especially if the links were not changed
with the lift.

Does it always do it at that speed, no matter what road you are on? Or does it
change with a different road surface?

-jenn


On 10 Jul 2006 16:49:42 -0700, "Justin M" <xtexatl@gmail.com> wrote:

>>I've got a 2002 TJ Sahara that has had a lingering problem that I have
>>yet to resolve. Whenever I'm on a highway, and reach speeds between 60
>>and 69 mph, the front end will start to vibrate and bounce -- it almost
>>feels like a wheel is leaving the ground. Once I hit 70+, it stops
>>vibrating (of course, it's not terribly safe going that fast in a
>>lifted Jeep). Under 60mph, no vibration. This started around 30,000
>>miles, and I never got the chance to take it in - I travel a ton and
>>rarely am home during the week to take it in.
>>
>>Now, some history...
>>
>>It started doing this about three months *before* I had a 4" Teraflex
>>lift, with Rancho Steering stabilizer, new wheels, new tires, new
>>shocks, and new springs installed. It still does it (at a different
>>speed, of course, because of the change in tire size). This pretty
>>much excludes a good part of the suspension from the list of suspects.
>>
>>Also, another thing I've noticed is a clicking/popping/knocking sound
>>when I start moving or when I make a sharp (slow) turn.
>>
>>I thought it might be tie rods or bearings, so I jacked up the front
>>axle and checked them out the best I could (the wheels are tight, and
>>wouldn't shake top/bottom and left/right).
>>
>>I'm very out of warranty, and the dealer won't have anything to do with
>>me after I put the lift on (they say the lift caused the problem,
>>despite what I've told them).
>>
>>Any ideas?

Re: TJ: Front end bounce at certain speeds
 

Of course they wont, dealers are primarily idiots IMO.

I would say that you have something starting to go bad in your front end. Could be a
simple as a u-joint going bad, or a bushing or whatever. I am sure the guys can help
you out more than I can.

Some thoughts:

Did you put in the drop pitman arm when you did the lift?

Have you checked all the bushings and ends on the track bar and drag link?

Did you check your ends on your sway bar, especially if the links were not changed
with the lift.

Does it always do it at that speed, no matter what road you are on? Or does it
change with a different road surface?

-jenn


On 10 Jul 2006 16:49:42 -0700, "Justin M" <xtexatl@gmail.com> wrote:

>>I've got a 2002 TJ Sahara that has had a lingering problem that I have
>>yet to resolve. Whenever I'm on a highway, and reach speeds between 60
>>and 69 mph, the front end will start to vibrate and bounce -- it almost
>>feels like a wheel is leaving the ground. Once I hit 70+, it stops
>>vibrating (of course, it's not terribly safe going that fast in a
>>lifted Jeep). Under 60mph, no vibration. This started around 30,000
>>miles, and I never got the chance to take it in - I travel a ton and
>>rarely am home during the week to take it in.
>>
>>Now, some history...
>>
>>It started doing this about three months *before* I had a 4" Teraflex
>>lift, with Rancho Steering stabilizer, new wheels, new tires, new
>>shocks, and new springs installed. It still does it (at a different
>>speed, of course, because of the change in tire size). This pretty
>>much excludes a good part of the suspension from the list of suspects.
>>
>>Also, another thing I've noticed is a clicking/popping/knocking sound
>>when I start moving or when I make a sharp (slow) turn.
>>
>>I thought it might be tie rods or bearings, so I jacked up the front
>>axle and checked them out the best I could (the wheels are tight, and
>>wouldn't shake top/bottom and left/right).
>>
>>I'm very out of warranty, and the dealer won't have anything to do with
>>me after I put the lift on (they say the lift caused the problem,
>>despite what I've told them).
>>
>>Any ideas?

Re: TJ: Front end bounce at certain speeds
 

My bet is the front trackbar... either its' lower mounting bolt is loose
(tighten to 45 ft-lbs on newer TJs, 55 ft-lbs on older TJs) or the
bushings in the lower trackbar mounting hole are worn/loose/bad. Or the
lower trackbar mounting bolt's hole in the bracket is wallowed out and
is giving the bolt a lot of slop preventing the trackbar from being held
rigidly as is required.

Jerry

Justin M wrote:
> I've got a 2002 TJ Sahara that has had a lingering problem that I have
> yet to resolve. Whenever I'm on a highway, and reach speeds between 60
> and 69 mph, the front end will start to vibrate and bounce -- it almost
> feels like a wheel is leaving the ground. Once I hit 70+, it stops
> vibrating (of course, it's not terribly safe going that fast in a
> lifted Jeep). Under 60mph, no vibration. This started around 30,000
> miles, and I never got the chance to take it in - I travel a ton and
> rarely am home during the week to take it in.
>
> Now, some history...
>
> It started doing this about three months *before* I had a 4" Teraflex
> lift, with Rancho Steering stabilizer, new wheels, new tires, new
> shocks, and new springs installed. It still does it (at a different
> speed, of course, because of the change in tire size). This pretty
> much excludes a good part of the suspension from the list of suspects.
>
> Also, another thing I've noticed is a clicking/popping/knocking sound
> when I start moving or when I make a sharp (slow) turn.
>
> I thought it might be tie rods or bearings, so I jacked up the front
> axle and checked them out the best I could (the wheels are tight, and
> wouldn't shake top/bottom and left/right).
>
> I'm very out of warranty, and the dealer won't have anything to do with
> me after I put the lift on (they say the lift caused the problem,
> despite what I've told them).
>
> Any ideas?
>

--
Jerry Bransford
PP-ASEL N6TAY
See the Geezer Jeep at
http://members.cox.net/jerrypb/

Re: TJ: Front end bounce at certain speeds
 

My bet is the front trackbar... either its' lower mounting bolt is loose
(tighten to 45 ft-lbs on newer TJs, 55 ft-lbs on older TJs) or the
bushings in the lower trackbar mounting hole are worn/loose/bad. Or the
lower trackbar mounting bolt's hole in the bracket is wallowed out and
is giving the bolt a lot of slop preventing the trackbar from being held
rigidly as is required.

Jerry

Justin M wrote:
> I've got a 2002 TJ Sahara that has had a lingering problem that I have
> yet to resolve. Whenever I'm on a highway, and reach speeds between 60
> and 69 mph, the front end will start to vibrate and bounce -- it almost
> feels like a wheel is leaving the ground. Once I hit 70+, it stops
> vibrating (of course, it's not terribly safe going that fast in a
> lifted Jeep). Under 60mph, no vibration. This started around 30,000
> miles, and I never got the chance to take it in - I travel a ton and
> rarely am home during the week to take it in.
>
> Now, some history...
>
> It started doing this about three months *before* I had a 4" Teraflex
> lift, with Rancho Steering stabilizer, new wheels, new tires, new
> shocks, and new springs installed. It still does it (at a different
> speed, of course, because of the change in tire size). This pretty
> much excludes a good part of the suspension from the list of suspects.
>
> Also, another thing I've noticed is a clicking/popping/knocking sound
> when I start moving or when I make a sharp (slow) turn.
>
> I thought it might be tie rods or bearings, so I jacked up the front
> axle and checked them out the best I could (the wheels are tight, and
> wouldn't shake top/bottom and left/right).
>
> I'm very out of warranty, and the dealer won't have anything to do with
> me after I put the lift on (they say the lift caused the problem,
> despite what I've told them).
>
> Any ideas?
>

--
Jerry Bransford
PP-ASEL N6TAY
See the Geezer Jeep at
http://members.cox.net/jerrypb/

Re: TJ: Front end bounce at certain speeds
 

My bet is the front trackbar... either its' lower mounting bolt is loose
(tighten to 45 ft-lbs on newer TJs, 55 ft-lbs on older TJs) or the
bushings in the lower trackbar mounting hole are worn/loose/bad. Or the
lower trackbar mounting bolt's hole in the bracket is wallowed out and
is giving the bolt a lot of slop preventing the trackbar from being held
rigidly as is required.

Jerry

Justin M wrote:
> I've got a 2002 TJ Sahara that has had a lingering problem that I have
> yet to resolve. Whenever I'm on a highway, and reach speeds between 60
> and 69 mph, the front end will start to vibrate and bounce -- it almost
> feels like a wheel is leaving the ground. Once I hit 70+, it stops
> vibrating (of course, it's not terribly safe going that fast in a
> lifted Jeep). Under 60mph, no vibration. This started around 30,000
> miles, and I never got the chance to take it in - I travel a ton and
> rarely am home during the week to take it in.
>
> Now, some history...
>
> It started doing this about three months *before* I had a 4" Teraflex
> lift, with Rancho Steering stabilizer, new wheels, new tires, new
> shocks, and new springs installed. It still does it (at a different
> speed, of course, because of the change in tire size). This pretty
> much excludes a good part of the suspension from the list of suspects.
>
> Also, another thing I've noticed is a clicking/popping/knocking sound
> when I start moving or when I make a sharp (slow) turn.
>
> I thought it might be tie rods or bearings, so I jacked up the front
> axle and checked them out the best I could (the wheels are tight, and
> wouldn't shake top/bottom and left/right).
>
> I'm very out of warranty, and the dealer won't have anything to do with
> me after I put the lift on (they say the lift caused the problem,
> despite what I've told them).
>
> Any ideas?
>

--
Jerry Bransford
PP-ASEL N6TAY
See the Geezer Jeep at
http://members.cox.net/jerrypb/

Re: TJ: Front end bounce at certain speeds P.S.
 

P.S.

One other cause can be worn ball joints on the knuckles. When your TJ
is up on the rack next, grab each of the front wheels and give them a
good push/pull and see if you can make them wiggle/move around on their
ball joints. If they move much, that is likely the culprit.

Jerry Bransford wrote:
> My bet is the front trackbar... either its' lower mounting bolt is loose
> (tighten to 45 ft-lbs on newer TJs, 55 ft-lbs on older TJs) or the
> bushings in the lower trackbar mounting hole are worn/loose/bad. Or the
> lower trackbar mounting bolt's hole in the bracket is wallowed out and
> is giving the bolt a lot of slop preventing the trackbar from being held
> rigidly as is required.
>
> Jerry
>
> Justin M wrote:
>> I've got a 2002 TJ Sahara that has had a lingering problem that I have
>> yet to resolve. Whenever I'm on a highway, and reach speeds between 60
>> and 69 mph, the front end will start to vibrate and bounce -- it almost
>> feels like a wheel is leaving the ground. Once I hit 70+, it stops
>> vibrating (of course, it's not terribly safe going that fast in a
>> lifted Jeep). Under 60mph, no vibration. This started around 30,000
>> miles, and I never got the chance to take it in - I travel a ton and
>> rarely am home during the week to take it in.
>>
>> Now, some history...
>>
>> It started doing this about three months *before* I had a 4" Teraflex
>> lift, with Rancho Steering stabilizer, new wheels, new tires, new
>> shocks, and new springs installed. It still does it (at a different
>> speed, of course, because of the change in tire size). This pretty
>> much excludes a good part of the suspension from the list of suspects.
>>
>> Also, another thing I've noticed is a clicking/popping/knocking sound
>> when I start moving or when I make a sharp (slow) turn.
>>
>> I thought it might be tie rods or bearings, so I jacked up the front
>> axle and checked them out the best I could (the wheels are tight, and
>> wouldn't shake top/bottom and left/right).
>>
>> I'm very out of warranty, and the dealer won't have anything to do with
>> me after I put the lift on (they say the lift caused the problem,
>> despite what I've told them).
>>
>> Any ideas?
>>
>

--
Jerry Bransford
PP-ASEL N6TAY
See the Geezer Jeep at
http://members.cox.net/jerrypb/

Re: TJ: Front end bounce at certain speeds P.S.
 

P.S.

One other cause can be worn ball joints on the knuckles. When your TJ
is up on the rack next, grab each of the front wheels and give them a
good push/pull and see if you can make them wiggle/move around on their
ball joints. If they move much, that is likely the culprit.

Jerry Bransford wrote:
> My bet is the front trackbar... either its' lower mounting bolt is loose
> (tighten to 45 ft-lbs on newer TJs, 55 ft-lbs on older TJs) or the
> bushings in the lower trackbar mounting hole are worn/loose/bad. Or the
> lower trackbar mounting bolt's hole in the bracket is wallowed out and
> is giving the bolt a lot of slop preventing the trackbar from being held
> rigidly as is required.
>
> Jerry
>
> Justin M wrote:
>> I've got a 2002 TJ Sahara that has had a lingering problem that I have
>> yet to resolve. Whenever I'm on a highway, and reach speeds between 60
>> and 69 mph, the front end will start to vibrate and bounce -- it almost
>> feels like a wheel is leaving the ground. Once I hit 70+, it stops
>> vibrating (of course, it's not terribly safe going that fast in a
>> lifted Jeep). Under 60mph, no vibration. This started around 30,000
>> miles, and I never got the chance to take it in - I travel a ton and
>> rarely am home during the week to take it in.
>>
>> Now, some history...
>>
>> It started doing this about three months *before* I had a 4" Teraflex
>> lift, with Rancho Steering stabilizer, new wheels, new tires, new
>> shocks, and new springs installed. It still does it (at a different
>> speed, of course, because of the change in tire size). This pretty
>> much excludes a good part of the suspension from the list of suspects.
>>
>> Also, another thing I've noticed is a clicking/popping/knocking sound
>> when I start moving or when I make a sharp (slow) turn.
>>
>> I thought it might be tie rods or bearings, so I jacked up the front
>> axle and checked them out the best I could (the wheels are tight, and
>> wouldn't shake top/bottom and left/right).
>>
>> I'm very out of warranty, and the dealer won't have anything to do with
>> me after I put the lift on (they say the lift caused the problem,
>> despite what I've told them).
>>
>> Any ideas?
>>
>

--
Jerry Bransford
PP-ASEL N6TAY
See the Geezer Jeep at
http://members.cox.net/jerrypb/

Re: TJ: Front end bounce at certain speeds P.S.
 

P.S.

One other cause can be worn ball joints on the knuckles. When your TJ
is up on the rack next, grab each of the front wheels and give them a
good push/pull and see if you can make them wiggle/move around on their
ball joints. If they move much, that is likely the culprit.

Jerry Bransford wrote:
> My bet is the front trackbar... either its' lower mounting bolt is loose
> (tighten to 45 ft-lbs on newer TJs, 55 ft-lbs on older TJs) or the
> bushings in the lower trackbar mounting hole are worn/loose/bad. Or the
> lower trackbar mounting bolt's hole in the bracket is wallowed out and
> is giving the bolt a lot of slop preventing the trackbar from being held
> rigidly as is required.
>
> Jerry
>
> Justin M wrote:
>> I've got a 2002 TJ Sahara that has had a lingering problem that I have
>> yet to resolve. Whenever I'm on a highway, and reach speeds between 60
>> and 69 mph, the front end will start to vibrate and bounce -- it almost
>> feels like a wheel is leaving the ground. Once I hit 70+, it stops
>> vibrating (of course, it's not terribly safe going that fast in a
>> lifted Jeep). Under 60mph, no vibration. This started around 30,000
>> miles, and I never got the chance to take it in - I travel a ton and
>> rarely am home during the week to take it in.
>>
>> Now, some history...
>>
>> It started doing this about three months *before* I had a 4" Teraflex
>> lift, with Rancho Steering stabilizer, new wheels, new tires, new
>> shocks, and new springs installed. It still does it (at a different
>> speed, of course, because of the change in tire size). This pretty
>> much excludes a good part of the suspension from the list of suspects.
>>
>> Also, another thing I've noticed is a clicking/popping/knocking sound
>> when I start moving or when I make a sharp (slow) turn.
>>
>> I thought it might be tie rods or bearings, so I jacked up the front
>> axle and checked them out the best I could (the wheels are tight, and
>> wouldn't shake top/bottom and left/right).
>>
>> I'm very out of warranty, and the dealer won't have anything to do with
>> me after I put the lift on (they say the lift caused the problem,
>> despite what I've told them).
>>
>> Any ideas?
>>
>

--
Jerry Bransford
PP-ASEL N6TAY
See the Geezer Jeep at
http://members.cox.net/jerrypb/