Vibration ????

[N3IW]

I have a little squeak now and then and must have a U-joint taking a crap on me someplace.

I'm just gonna have to wait and see what falls out and then fix it. It came on real sudden and has changed characteristics since it started yesterday.

Yours Truly,
Dazed and confused.

Dear Dazed and confused,

You'll need your winch with that approach to troubleshooting u-joints.  Mine were tight as well - from the rust, not from proper condition

[Davew]

Charlie sometimes you have to remove the shaft and see how smooth (or not smooth) the joints move. Look for rust or black powder at the rubber seals on the caps . You can try isolating the frt to the rear by driving with one of the shafts out.

[Charlie]

Thanks Dave, I have to get some time under the thing.

I assume I can still wheel on the 26th, what do you think?

I can work on it all week after that.

[Davew]

"I assume I can still wheel on the 26th, what do you think?"

I don't know Charlie You're going to have to answer that one. If the lift is just settling and your getting some driveline vibs, you'll probably be ok but if it a joint you can't predict total failure ask Jim Haffy

[chasm]

I assume I can still wheel on the 26th, what do you think?

Tuna: I wouldn't wheel it at Rausch Creek until I figured out the source of the vibes... unless you are bringing it up on a trailer. If that's the case, wheel the pi$$ out of it! 

[CJ8Ted]

Lets see the "dangerous" driveway, "nasty" heated grarge -OR- The comfort and safty of the side of the road of I-81 with a big rig inches away from your boots.

Find the vibe  

Pull the shaft put it in 4Hi see if it goes away. If it does pull the pinion joint out of the shaft and take it apart. Jessy said his double cardian end hardly ever goes out, always the pinion end because of the steeper angle. 
Ted

[N3IW]

Hey Mike, Charlie's got round headlights too.   Hmmmmmm........

[chasm]

Hey Mike, Charlie's got round headlights too.   Hmmmmmm........

Chip: Did you post this before or after your Jeep went out of commission? 

(My square headlighted one is spending the evening in a warm garage getting new motor mounts...) 

[N3IW]

Posted after my dead jeep.  Trying to warn Charlie   

[Charlie]

"FOUND IT" or them!!!!

I have a front passenger side wheel bearing going out (squeak) and one of the U-joints (vibration) in the rear at the double cardigan finally showed itself.

[Death Wobble]

Charlie, I wanted to ask:  Does your Jeep still fit inside your garage at its new height?  I remember the photos you took of Colli's being so tall!

[Davew]

Good job, be sure the wheel bearing issue is truly bad and not the axle u-joint. Hub bearings tend to roar rolling down the road changing volume when sawing on the steering wheel ,as opposed to a u-joint that usually squeaks. When spinning the hub in your hand it will feel rough. Of course once you have the hub assembly out it's just a matter of sliding the axle out you may want to change the u-joint as preventive thing. You're there working on so I'm not second guessing you,but the price difference between the two warants a second or third look.

[Charlie]

Dave,
I'm not ruling out a U-joint and it could be the bad one making the squeaking noise. It's hard to tell where the squeak is coming from. However, When I grab the front tire I can wiggle it a bit, the other side is nice and tight. The bearing does not sound real rough but it's a Little different from the other side.
I have replaced both front wheel bearings on Michael's XJ, they were very bad, I know what that sounds like.

As far as the U-joint that's bad..it's bad! I believe one cup is fresh out of needle bearings and the joint flops a little when moving the rear driveshaft....It did not do that the other day.

It's a matter of finding some time to fix it up now.

BTW...Unless I get her fixed up I won't be wheeling on the 26th.

[Charlie]

Wobble,

My Jeeps fits just right, Collie had the light bar sticking up on hers and her rig is a little taller than mine to boot. 

I still have an inch or so of roof clearance, enough to get 36's on it.

[Davew]

Yep if it's got play in it, it's bad  I'll tell you the way my boss tells me at work .  "Well it should only take you a few minutes to fix that, just zip out" what a DH he is.