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

Got the shakes...

Discussion in 'Quitters' Club' started by lynn, Jul 16, 2012.

  1. Jul 16, 2012
    lynn

    lynn Time machine / Early CJ5 HR Rep Staff Member

    Huntingdon PA
    Joined:
    Sep 20, 2002
    Messages:
    3,437
    Ever since I installed the 3" lift (at 15K miles) on the LJ, I've had some minor shakes between 48 and 54 mph.
    My lift consisted of springs, shocks, and JKS adjustable track bars, F&R. Also went with wheels that have 1.25" less backspacing than stock.

    Recently, shakes are getting a bit worse, and I can start DW if I hit a bump at 51 mph or so, especially while on a turn.
    I tried to tighten up the track bar bolts. Frame end is plenty tight. Axle end I managed to turn it, easier than I expected. I turned maybe 2/6 of a turn, and it didn't seem to feel tighter.
    Rather than continue cranking on it and break the stock M10x1.5 bolt, I decided I'll upgrade the bolt. Did some forum reading, and I selected a 7/16" grade 8, 2.5" long.
    I think I'll need to ream out one washer, but otherwise I think the 7/16 will fit.
    Going with a grade 8 will allow me to torque to ~65 ft lbs, rather than the 35/40 max on the stock bolt.

    I'm also planning to replace the LCAs. At 45K miles, thats 25K miles on the stock bushings/arms with no adjustments.
    I really want a pair of Savvy single adjustable with JJs at each end... but that looks like it is just beyond my current Jeep account. I could get new stock bushings for $50 to hold me over... but I'd rather not spend that money, and just go directly for the Savvy arms. I'm hoping that the new track bar bolt will reduce the shakes for a month or two until I can save enough for the new arms.

    Patrick, got any shakes on yours?
     
  2. Jul 16, 2012
    Patrick

    Patrick Super Moderator Staff Member

    Los Alamos, NM
    Joined:
    Sep 22, 2002
    Messages:
    8,360
    Nope. 2" BDS springs, longer sway bar links, shocks.
     
  3. Jul 16, 2012
    BrettM0352

    BrettM0352 Member

    Fort Worth, TX
    Joined:
    Oct 14, 2010
    Messages:
    448
    how do your track bar and drag link line up after you lifted it?
     
  4. Jul 17, 2012
    lynn

    lynn Time machine / Early CJ5 HR Rep Staff Member

    Huntingdon PA
    Joined:
    Sep 20, 2002
    Messages:
    3,437
    On mine, I used a JKS adjustable track bar so my alignment with the drag link is good. No bump steer.

    Took it apart last night. Holes in the bracket are just a hair under 7/16. I could drill them out, but the sleeve in the track bar bushing is consideraably smaller. The M10 bolt is quite loose in the bracket holes, and a bit loose in the bushing sleeve of the track bar.
    An M12 isn't going to fit. A 7/16 is .4375, which didn't go, and an M12 is .472. An M10 that is sloppy in the hole is .393.
    I may have to go with a high-strength M10 so I can tighten it more than 40 ft lbs (but I still don't like the amount of clearance between the M10 and the bracket holes/bushing hole), or drill out the bracket and the track bar bushing to accrpt the 7/16.
    For now I put it back the way it was, and tightened it as much as I dared. It actually was a bit more solid this morning at 45-55 mph, still some shakes, but improved. That tells me I really need to find a bolt that fits tight and strong enough to crank it down hard.

    Oh, the other thing I did last night was to drill two holes in the frame and tap them to mount to storage pins for the sway bar disconnects. Almost 5 years after I installed the disconnects, I finally finished the job :rofl:
    It was pretty hot in the garage last night for wrenchin... whew! Will probably be worse tonight. :(
     
    Last edited: Jul 17, 2012
  5. Jul 17, 2012
    nickmil

    nickmil In mothballs.

    Happy Valley, OR
    Joined:
    Sep 23, 2002
    Messages:
    12,529
    What are your alignment angles, i.e. caster and toe....
     
  6. Jul 17, 2012
    Patrick

    Patrick Super Moderator Staff Member

    Los Alamos, NM
    Joined:
    Sep 22, 2002
    Messages:
    8,360
    FWIW, I messed with mine a bit, and found it's happiest @ 1/8" toe in, and 6.5° caster. I'm running 32's, so with your 33's you could actually run a bit less caster.
     
  7. Jul 20, 2012
    wheelie

    wheelie beeg dummy 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor

    York, PA
    Joined:
    Mar 6, 2004
    Messages:
    4,491
    Thread title made me think YOU got the shakes..........from OLD jeep withdrawal. (ducking)
     
  8. Jul 26, 2012
    lynn

    lynn Time machine / Early CJ5 HR Rep Staff Member

    Huntingdon PA
    Joined:
    Sep 20, 2002
    Messages:
    3,437
    Don, the track bar bracket hole isn't wallowed out. I put in a grade 12.9 M10 bolt (axle side) and cranked it to over 70 ft lbs. The frame end is a JJ, at 90+ ft lbs. So I'm pretty well convinced that my JKS track bar isn't a source of the problem.

    My toe is only 1/16,
    I picked up a ZJ V8 tie rod at the Jeep show. I'm going to put that on, with a new Moog TRE, and will then set toe to 1/8 to 3/16.
    I also just ordered a set of Savvy double JJ LCAs, single adjustable. I'm sure my stock ones are worn and stressed. I'll use these to adjust caster a bit.
    Hopefully that will solve the shakes. If not, I'll chase something else :D

    Oh BTW, I consulted with the Rancho rep at the Jeep show. He agreed to warranty my (4) 9000XL shocks that no longer adjust due to rusted adjusters (PA road salt in winters). I don't have a receipt and the dealer I bought from doesn't return my calls. Rancho worked with me, and Quadratec stepped up to process the claim even though I didn't buy from them. I hope the new set of 9000XLs will be here in about 2 weeks. I'm going to pretreat the adjusters with antisieze upon installation, again at first snow, and again in the spring. Hopefully that will prevent future problems.
    Big thanks to Rancho and Quadratec! :tea:
     
    Last edited: Jul 26, 2012
  9. Jun 27, 2015
    Unkel Dale

    Unkel Dale delivery on my Jeep from Ft. Campbell, Ky.

    Pittsburgh, Pa.
    Joined:
    Feb 3, 2013
    Messages:
    692
    lYNN
    GREAT REPORT ABOUT THE COMPANIES WHO ACTUALLY HELPED YOU OUT
    WHAT ABOUT CLEAR 20 YEAR PAINTERS CAULK SMEARED OVER THE ADJUSTERS?
     
  10. Jun 27, 2015
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Hills of NH
    Joined:
    Aug 3, 2003
    Messages:
    9,754
    Might be worth getting the tires balanced, if you haven't done it recently.

    Worked for me, when my YJ (4"lift) got shakey.
     
  11. Jun 28, 2015
    termin8ed

    termin8ed I didn't do it Staff Member

    Mason, MI
    Joined:
    Dec 22, 2002
    Messages:
    4,418
    Might sound stupid but ive got a jk in the shop right now with both right side calipers siezed. Dw at 55 with no bumps.
    Make sure tires arent choppy either
     
  12. Jul 3, 2015
    sterlclan

    sterlclan Member 2022 Sponsor

    exploring the...
    Joined:
    Feb 21, 2009
    Messages:
    3,869
    get some fluid film in a spray can, zero rust/corrosion issues.
     
  13. Jul 9, 2015
    lynn

    lynn Time machine / Early CJ5 HR Rep Staff Member

    Huntingdon PA
    Joined:
    Sep 20, 2002
    Messages:
    3,437
    Old thread back from the dungeon... ;)

    Clear caulk won't work on the shock adjusters, if you take the cover off and see how they work... but fluid film (solid film lubricant) probably wood. I have a can of that in the garage. I'll take them apart soon, clean out the anti seize I put in, and go with the SFL.

    My shakes did go away completely with the new Currie LCAs, until I got new tires in April. The shop didn't balance them quite well enough; I need to get it in to another shop for precision balance.
    I still haven't installed the ZJ steering I had planned.
    One of these days... :rofl:
     
New Posts