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4 Wheel Drive/SUVs/Steering wheel shakes

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Expert: - 5/11/2004


Question
I have a 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo (6 cyl) with close to 60,000 miles.  Every now and then the steering wheel will shake so violently my teeth chatter. After slowing down a bit it will stop.  This has just recently started happening.  I need to replace all 4 tires (wear) but is there anything else I should be aware of?  Also is it safe to drive until I can get it in? (I know for liability reasons you can't guarantee safety on a vehicle you haven't looked at but can you give me a guess based on past experience with this problem).  Thanks

Answer
Nadine,

I've had the same problem, more than once.  The normal cause of this problem, is: 1)  Out of round, or unbalanced tires;  2)  Bad or worn shocks;  3)  Bad or no steering stabilizer;  and 4)  Worn steering components.  I would guess that the problem should go away, after you replace the tires, and have them balanced.  You should consider replacing the shocks, and steering stabilizer at the same time.  As far as driving it with the problem, this can cause other problems after time, such as ruining the front bearings, and the CV joints on the front axles.  Make sure that you go to a reputable shop, and it wouldn't hurt to get more than one estimate.  There are shops around that will want you to replace every part in the front end at a very high price.

  Carl

4 Wheel Drive/SUVs

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Carl Brandt

Expertise

Will discuss suspensions, lifts, lockers along with tire suggestions. Trail ratings and possible requirements needed for specific type of trails. Safety equipment and what you should carry with you. Certified off-road instructor. I am not a mechanic, and 4-Wheeling is a hobby, so if I can't answer a technical question it is due to my mechanical knowledge being related to vehicles that I have owned, or have worked on. I do not have manuals on all vehicles.

Experience

40 plus years of 4 wheeling in a variety of vehicles. At the present time, my major off-road rig is a 94 Jeep Wrangler with a spring over and a 1 1/2" suspension lift. This gives me a total lift of 7" or so. I have lockers front and rear. I have removed the track bars, and sway bar for maximum articulation. I am running a stock 2.5 ltr 4 cylinder with a Jacobs ignition along with a cold air high flow filter. It has 4.56:1 gears with a Dodge NV4500 transmission along with a 3.8:1 Atlas II transfer case. This gives me a final ratio of 105:1 in low gear/low range. Other vehicles I own, are a 96 Ford F-250 with a 6" lift, posi rear end, 36" Hummer tires, 5 speed with a fuel injected 460 ci engine, an 87 Samurai with an 8" lift, Ford 9" rear end with a spool, Chevy Dana 44 front end with an electric locker, 5.88 gears, 16% reduction in high range and a 6.5:1 low range with 35" Baja Claws, and a stock 2003 Grand Cherokee Overland. Trails I have run are the Rubicon (10 times), Dusey Ershim, Fordyce Creek trail, McGrew trail, several trails in Moab, Utah along with local monthly runs.

Organizations
Lost Coast 4x4's Cal 4-Wheel Corva UFWDA Blue Ribbon Coalition

Education/Credentials
Certified off-road instructor - Certificates in engineering/electronics

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