My XJ is falling apart?

[calvynandhobbs]

The crossmember, trans mount and engine mount change out a couple weeks ago took away part of the vibration, but wherever the remaining vibration was coming from is really getting bad now. It seems to be in the front end and now I've got some bad clunking noises in the midst of the vibrations. I've gotta get the front tires off and check my wheelbearings and other things this weekend before it leaves me stranded somewhere.

[Sandbox Sailor]

If you have a place to do the work, I will come help you tear into your's if you want to help me with my power steering issues

[calvynandhobbs]

I wish I had a place to do the work. I went out to Rocket's place to do the last work on it. If I can get a couple hours of clear skies I'll take it apart where I park it in the road.

[rocket]

call me and come back up here

[calvynandhobbs]

call me and come back up here

Right now I'm actually a little afraid of getting it up to highway speeds. The growling and vibration is directly related to speed and it doesn't matter if I'm coasting down a hill or cruising along. It may be even be a little worse when using brakes coming down a steep hill so I'm thinking wheel bearings right now. It won't take long to check them. If it's not raining at lunch today I may even do it in the parking lot at work. I am back to carrying all of my tools with me again just in case I have to do a roadside emergency repair.

[calvynandhobbs]

Problem figured out. Brought it to Sears today to have them balance the tires and see if that was the problem. They do a free steering and suspension check and never got past the driver's side wheelbearing. It is completely shot and my tire moves almost inch back and forth. I'm running by Autozone on my way to church to see if they have one in stock and then heading to Rockets place to replace it tomorrow night.

[Axle]

Good deal!  I assume you have the single unit bearings like the rest of us?  They suck in the long haul, but they are still way cheaper to replace than putting in manual hubs.

[calvynandhobbs]

Yep, I have the same unit bearings that TJs have. The ones in the Jeep are actually lifetime warrantied wheelbearings that I bought online a couple years ago so I'll be sending this one back to get my replacement, which will give me a spare. I just can't wait for shipping of the returned one to them and them to ship me a new one at this point. That tire has so much play it's actually a little scary.

[calvynandhobbs]

The XJ is repaired thanks to Rocket letting me borrow his garage. It sounds so much better and really helped tighten the steering. It's ready for tomorrow.

[HOT-ROD]

sweet, good deal man.