1. Registration trouble? Please use the "Contact Us" link at the bottom right corner of the page and your issue will be resolved.
    Dismiss Notice

Violent vibration

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by Johnsonpstfls, Mar 3, 2011.

  1. Mar 3, 2011
    Johnsonpstfls

    Johnsonpstfls New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 12, 2010
    Messages:
    8
    My 66 CJ5 has recently developed an insane vibration between 50 - 60 mph. The strange thing (to me anyway) is that is smooths back out between 60 - 65. What the heck would be causing this only in that range? For you really tech savy people, the vibration is a "higher frequency", feeling like a have a giant massager hooked up to the chassis. Thanks in advance.
     
  2. Mar 3, 2011
    mb82

    mb82 I feel great!

    Charlottesville Va
    Joined:
    Mar 17, 2003
    Messages:
    2,706
    Unbalanced tire(s) is my bet.
     
  3. Mar 3, 2011
    jasonjp62

    jasonjp62 Member

    Pennsboro WV.
    Joined:
    Aug 15, 2009
    Messages:
    799
    :iagree:
     
  4. Mar 3, 2011
    AKCJ

    AKCJ Active Member

    Fairbanks, Alaska
    Joined:
    Aug 12, 2003
    Messages:
    1,035
    Speed sensative would indicate a rotating equipment problem. Most likely a tire but you can also look at your wheels and hubs (bearings) also.
     
  5. Mar 3, 2011
    nickmil

    nickmil In mothballs.

    Happy Valley, OR
    Joined:
    Sep 23, 2002
    Messages:
    12,529
    Usually in that speed range it is tire/wheel imbalance but other things can cause it too. Wheel bearings, trunnion bearings/ball joints, bad tie rod end, bad belt in a tire or separating tire, drive shaft u-joints, etc. Check and make sure the U-bolts for the spring to axle housing are tight as well.
     
  6. Mar 3, 2011
    Mike S

    Mike S Sponsor

    Cameron Park Ca.
    Joined:
    Oct 6, 2009
    Messages:
    811
    Like Nick says, lots of possibilities here, pretty much anything that rotates/turns as you drive.

    My first thought is tires, wheel bearings, drive shaft, etc.

    Also, I have had this happen with a water pump failure------still puzzles me why it was speed dependent, and not rpm dependent----all I can figure is the air flow through the radiator disturbed the fan??

    Try having someone drive alongside you, and watch for weird motion of the tires, or anything else that is not playing nicely.
     
  7. Mar 3, 2011
    jasonjp62

    jasonjp62 Member

    Pennsboro WV.
    Joined:
    Aug 15, 2009
    Messages:
    799
    think as you drive as well do you feel it in the wheel or in your seat
     
  8. Mar 3, 2011
    Johnsonpstfls

    Johnsonpstfls New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 12, 2010
    Messages:
    8
    It's in the seat, not the wheel. The vibration only occurs while under throttle. If I pull it out of gear and coast, the vibration stops. My first thought was u-joints or an unbalanced driveline until it went away above 60. I'm puzzled why the vibration is in a range and not progressively worse to the top end. I appreciate the input here guys. I'm sure with all the suggestions, I'll find it. I just don't want to start replacing to track it down.
     
  9. Mar 3, 2011
    54cj3b

    54cj3b Member

    evergreen colorado
    Joined:
    Jul 7, 2010
    Messages:
    236
    check lug nuts make sure there tight , loose wheel could cause those symptoms also ,
     
  10. Mar 3, 2011
    jasonjp62

    jasonjp62 Member

    Pennsboro WV.
    Joined:
    Aug 15, 2009
    Messages:
    799
    Had friends f250 do this right before the ring and pinion went out of it. does sound like drive line or something in the rear end. Drop the rear drive shaft out of it and drive it in 4HI see if you get the same result
     
  11. Mar 3, 2011
    Mike S

    Mike S Sponsor

    Cameron Park Ca.
    Joined:
    Oct 6, 2009
    Messages:
    811
    This is an important clew, Watson.

    Motor mounts can also cause this. Engine can shift position, and cause misalignment issues in the driveline.
     
  12. Mar 3, 2011
    lhyatt

    lhyatt Member

    southern,Ohio
    Joined:
    Aug 2, 2008
    Messages:
    50
    crazy Ohioans..lol,you may not want to go 50-65mph.in 4H.like everybody said could be alot of things.Good luck
     
  13. Mar 3, 2011
    1960willyscj5

    1960willyscj5 Well-Known Member

    Mesa, Arizona
    Joined:
    Nov 27, 2006
    Messages:
    2,793
    If you feel it in the seat, check the rear tires. Bet you threw a wheel weight, and that will cause a speed specific shake rattle and roll. You might check the tire pressures too.
    My '60 starts to shake baddly above 46 mph if I don't keep the tire pressures up.
    I don't ever run it above 50 or so so don't have any idea if the shake goes away at a higher speed.

    My '66 Olds did the same thing and turned out to be a wheel weight, along with all the tires being close to replacement age.
     
  14. Mar 3, 2011
    AKCJ

    AKCJ Active Member

    Fairbanks, Alaska
    Joined:
    Aug 12, 2003
    Messages:
    1,035
    Could it be a bent or out of balance drive shaft? I guess you could check by removing the rear shaft and drive around using front wheel drive. Or vise versa.

    What about the intermediate shaft in the t-case?

    Just throwing out ideas.
     
  15. Mar 3, 2011
    Johnsonpstfls

    Johnsonpstfls New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 12, 2010
    Messages:
    8
    lhyatt - first, not that it matters but I am in Idaho, not Ohio. :)
    Also, the vibration is in 2H. I never go over about 35mph in 4H.

    jasonjp62 - I sure hope it's not the ring and pinion. That was one of the first things that crossed my mind but I refused to believe it. Is there any way I can check just by pulling the cover? Never thought about pulling the rear driveline and just running the front. Wouldn't that be a bad idea at 60mph?

    Mike S - Never thought about the motor mounts. That's an easy check and certainly worth looking into.

    Thanks for all the input guys. I really do appreciate it. If push comes to shove, I'll take the drivelines out and down to a local shop to make sure they are balanced and that the u-joints are good. From there, it's anyones guess.
     
  16. Mar 3, 2011
    Corveeper

    Corveeper Member

    Chanute, Kansas
    Joined:
    Jul 29, 2005
    Messages:
    817
    There have been several occasions that I was out playing, broke something in the rear and had to limp it home on the front end. As long as the rear drive shaft is disengaged by one means or another so the transfer case doesn't bind when going around a corner it shouldn't be a problem.
    Just be aware of torque steer, it can be a little scary until you learn to expect it.
     
    Last edited: Mar 4, 2011
  17. Mar 3, 2011
    Corveeper

    Corveeper Member

    Chanute, Kansas
    Joined:
    Jul 29, 2005
    Messages:
    817
    I've done 70 down the highway on my front end before.
    But like I said in my last post just be aware of torque steer.
     
  18. Mar 3, 2011
    Stout

    Stout Member

    Quakertown, PA
    Joined:
    Nov 1, 2010
    Messages:
    958
    If it only happens at a certain speed AND while under throttle, you can rule out wheels/tires as they would shake regardless of engine power. And we can rule out engine imbalance because you would get a vibration at stand still by revving the engine.

    So it has to be a combination of drive train and power train causing the vibration. I would agree with the opinions around u-joints or rear end.
     
  19. Mar 3, 2011
    repeater

    repeater I'll break it.

    Joined:
    Feb 7, 2010
    Messages:
    98
    Wheel or U joint.
     
  20. Mar 5, 2011
    aaron.lybarger

    aaron.lybarger New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 25, 2010
    Messages:
    27
    pinion bearing? When mine went bad caused vibration and noise under load and calmed down when coasting.

    Aaron
     
New Posts