4WD vibration

[Bender]

As the title says, I get vibes in 4WD. It doesn't affect the steering wheel, but you can feel it on the pedals and you can feel it like when you are driving at 80 or more clicks with only one window down, it harmonically vibrates the whole interior. The faster you go the worse it gets.

When I take it out of 4WD it does it but not as bad. When I unlock the hubs, it then disappears, hence the problem being associated with 4WD.

Is this a hub problem or a front drive shaft U-joint problem or...?

Any thoughts would be appreciated. Its been so long since I had the X new, i am not sure what it is supposed to feel like.

[Jayman]

Could be a ton of things...

I know that I have the same kind of thing when in 4wd. Mind you, right now I know of a few things in the front end that need to be taken care that I suspect are the problem.

I need new bearing up front for sure, and I suspect that my lower ball joint on the D-side is needing replacement.

That combined with the Pitman arm being loose on the steering box shaft makes for a disgusting driving experience...

If you only get the Vibes when it's in 4wd, it's obvious that it's something relating to the front drivetrain.

What kind of shape are you bearings in? Mine is fine when it's in 2wd, but the vibes start getting on when in 4wd.

[Scotto]

I bumped into Jason in the great metropolis of Fergus this afternoon, and we had this very conversation - and my truck does it a bit too. Because I have manual locking hubs, I notice a rumbling kicking in when they are locked and in 2WD. There's a gentle rumble, not a vibration, and it doesn't change when in 4WD. Still there. You can feel it through your feet. It's definitley a stronger rumble than when the truck was new to me.

My guess has been: dirt from winter, tired grease, a u-joint somewhere, a loose front axle, ... It's defintiely something mechanical, as you can feel the truck trying to overcome the new friction. I'm not saying that this is what Bender's got, but it seems to be a similar wear & tear problem.

My suspicion is that the front driveshaft(s) are causing it - maybe a bit of play in one or both. And if they got worse it would change into a vibration.

But I'm just guessing.


Scott

[nige]

maybe the little balancing weight got knocked off the driveshaft.

[Scotto]

maybe the little balancing weight got knocked off the driveshaft.

Good guess. Hmmmm....

[Simon]

Any front end issue will be increasingly noticeable when in 4wd. That said, jack up the front end, and check for play in your balljoints, tie rods, centerlink, idler arm and wheel bearings. Could also be a bad CV, though, doubtful, as if it's bad enough to cause a vibration, typically you'd hear it, especially when turning.

[Bow_Tied]

If it gets worse with speed, then I'd think it is a rotating component. My bet is u-joints, but it could be something else as noted.

[Nismojunky]

If it gets worse with speed, then I'd think it is a rotating component. My bet is u-joints, but it could be something else as noted.

X2 if it gets worse,

and i dont think its a bad cv joint they make a huge clunk sound when turning and going over bumps,

[Miner]

Sounds very similar to my front drive shaft U-joint failure last year. Should be worst when 4wd is engaged, less disengaged and only noticeable at speed with the hubs unlocked. I would get under there and start checking for play.

[Snafu]

I would start with the simple stuff first. This time of year is notorious for build up on the inside of the rim causing an unbalanced tire (more noticeable in 4wd). I had a similar problem with the Subaru. After 3 months of winter driving there was nearly an inch of dried dirt inside the rim. Once it was blasted out the car ran fine.

Wash off the rims first and see if the problem goes away. Probably a good idea to wash it anyway before you climb under there looking for anything loose.

Is there any uneven tire wear or other noises?

[Big Bird]

I would check the front u-joints. Take the front shaft out andcheck for play and stiffness in the joints.

[Bender]

I have always suspected the front U-joint. Similar feeling to when the rear went on me years a go. I will wash the underneath and try that first, as its the easiest and work my way fro there.

[northern feller]

How come you are exceeding 80km/hr in 4hi? Tsk tsk.
I'm not sure how the 4WD system plays it's role in your circumstances however, almost every SUV I've ever owned does this at high speeds. When you've got a window down the cabin pressure is changed so your rear louvres likely close. Now you've got both intake and exhaust air exchanging through to the area (right beside your head). If you crack a rear window a touch, it will likely go away. This is what worked for me.

[Bender]

Tim, buddy I don't think you read my post right.

I was describing what the vibration in 4WD does/"sounds" like to the ear in the cabin. I never said I was driving in 4WD at 80 clicks.

Yes when Tank wants to pop his head out the one rear window, I do crack the front a bit, and you are correct, this does remedy the situation.

[Bender]

Can you rebuild the front U-joint like we do with the rear with parts from spicer? I don't see why not?

[northern feller]

Tim, buddy I don't think you read my post right.

I was describing what the vibration in 4WD does/"sounds" like to the ear in the cabin. I never said I was driving in 4WD at 80 clicks.

Yes when Tank wants to pop his head out the one rear window, I do crack the front a bit, and you are correct, this does remedy the situation.

I think I read it just fine.

I GET VIBES IN 4WD. It doesn't affect the steering wheel, BUT YOU CAN FEEL IT ON THE PEDALS AND YOU CAN LIKE WHEN YOU ARE DRIVING AT 80 OR MORE CLICKS WITH ONLY ONE WINDOW DOWN, it harmonically vibrates the whole interior. The faster you go the worse it gets

[Bender]

I think I read it just fine.

If you say so...

How come you are exceeding 80km/hr in 4hi? Tsk tsk.

But I wasn't driving 80KM/hr in 4hi just to clarify, nor is my issue with cabin pressure, it is vibes in 4WD that is the issue here.

[Bender]

Can you rebuild the front U-joint like we do with the rear with parts from spicer? I don't see why not?

Anyone know?

[BUMBLB]

Hey Jay....Have you ever had your hubs repacked?

[Simon]

Can you rebuild the front U-joint like we do with the rear with parts from spicer? I don't see why not?

Anyone know?

I don't know for sure, but I'd assume there's a suitable replacement available aftermarket. It'd be a matter of matching sizing.