Jeep Cherokee Question

[thehstrybean]

3 main problems, and I really would appreciate ANY help...

1. At 52 mph, my front end shakes really bad. I've had the tires balanced, rotated, and aligned about 5 times with the same result. It looks like there's more wear on the inside of the tire as well...I'm pretty baffled...The steering wheel also doesn't line up (straight up and down isn't straight driving)

2. At highway speeds it feels like the car is running on flat tires. I checked the PSIs and they're fine...It's bumpy and feels like it sloshing...

3. At lower speeds (10-40ish) there's a really annoying (and embarrassing) sqeaking coming from what sounds like the passenger side rear wheel. A friend of mine said it could be the joints on the wheel...


Any ideas?

 

[illusion88]

How old are the tires? Low on tread?

 

[Pacfanweb]

At first glance, sounds like a bad tire. If they have enough tread left to warrant addressing them, get them balanced on a Road Force-capable machine. That will detect if you have a bad spot(s) in them.

Wearing on the inside is a camber problem. Fixed by alignment. So is the crooked steering wheel.

Also could be some front end parts that are worn badly. That theoretically should have been checked and caught during the alignment.

I suppose your friend means the U-joints. Could be. Lots of other stuff it could be, too.

I'm sure others will chime in with more stuff that could be wrong, but the bottom line is, it needs to be checked out by a GOOD alignment shop.

 

[Zenmervolt]

Light squeeking could just be the brake pads. IIRC the Cherokee has a live rear axle, so there shouldn't be many opportunities for squeeky joints. Could possibly be bearings, but that's usually a grinding, not a squeek. If your have rear disc brakes, it's very likely just the pads.

I do want to know how the hell you can have an alignment and not have the steering wheel on straight. Sounds like one of your tires may have thrown a belt. This can create both a pull and a vibration.

ZV

 

[thehstrybean]

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
Light squeeking could just be the brake pads. IIRC the Cherokee has a live rear axle, so there shouldn't be many opportunities for squeeky joints. Could possibly be bearings, but that's usually a grinding, not a squeek. If your have rear disc brakes, it's very likely just the pads.

I do want to know how the hell you can have an alignment and not have the steering wheel on straight. Sounds like one of your tires may have thrown a belt. This can create both a pull and a vibration.

ZV

That was my first thought (belt), but the I've had alignments at a local shop and NTB and neither said anything about it, and I've had the tires put on my factory wheels. I'm gonna take it for another alignment today...

 

[iamwiz82]

1. Have you taken it to a good shop? What year Cherokee, btw?

2. The Cherokee should feel anything but sloshy. It's a very stiff riding vehicle. Check your sway bar for a broken link.

3. Constant squeak associated with speed or squeaky over bumps?

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: thehstrybean

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
Light squeeking could just be the brake pads. IIRC the Cherokee has a live rear axle, so there shouldn't be many opportunities for squeeky joints. Could possibly be bearings, but that's usually a grinding, not a squeek. If your have rear disc brakes, it's very likely just the pads.

I do want to know how the hell you can have an alignment and not have the steering wheel on straight. Sounds like one of your tires may have thrown a belt. This can create both a pull and a vibration.

ZV

That was my first thought (belt), but the I've had alignments at a local shop and NTB and neither said anything about it, and I've had the tires put on my factory wheels. I'm gonna take it for another alignment today...

Take it to a shop that specializes in suspension work. Not to a place like NTB. Places like NTB and Firestone are great for getting an alignment when everything is working right, but they absolutely suck at diagnosing real problems. Look for shops in your area that do race work for people and set up cars for the track. Explain to them that you need a true professional alignment and check on your truck's front suspension and see if they can fit a Cherokee in. Don't use a local generic mechanic or a chain like NTB. It's time to call in a specialist.

ZV

 

[Mr.IncrediblyBored]

Jack the front end off the ground. Grab the tire at 12 and 6 o'clock and apply opposing pressure with each hand (one hand pull, the other push). It should feel solid, without any play. If you get some movement, you may need a new ball joint (or wheel bearing). A worn ball joint will cause uneven wear across the tire - typically the inside wears much faster.

For the off-center steering wheel, try the same thing with your hands at 9 and 3 o'clock on the tire. Any play this direction can be a worn tie-rod end (or again a wheel bearing). A worn tie-rod end will make aligning the wheels all but impossible.

As Pacfanweb suggested, any place worth their salt should have noticed this during the alignment anyway. It doesn't cost anything to check this on your own though.

 

[thehstrybean]

Originally posted by: iamwiz82
1. Have you taken it to a good shop? What year Cherokee, btw?

2. The Cherokee should feel anything but sloshy. It's a very stiff riding vehicle. Check your sway bar for a broken link.

3. Constant squeak associated with speed or squeaky over bumps?

1. I've taken it to one of the better local shops (really good guys), and they didn't say anything except that NTB did a shit-ass job (big suprise). It's an 2001...

2. Yeah, that surprised me. I went from a Honda CRV to the Cherokee and it was a lot stiffer...

3. Squeaky in the slow speed range, but a loud pop on tight turns/bumps...

 

[thehstrybean]

Just got inside from checking the u-joints...no problems there...I did, however, find a nice size metal object (a screw) in my rear driver tire...makes perfect sense. Karma. I'm gonna take it to a nice front end shop and have them look at it. I can't tell if the track bar is busted or not (the rubber around the separated pieces is all dried up)...

 

[iamwiz82]

Originally posted by: thehstrybean
Just got inside from checking the u-joints...no problems there...I did, however, find a nice size metal object (a screw) in my rear driver tire...makes perfect sense. Karma. I'm gonna take it to a nice front end shop and have them look at it. I can't tell if the track bar is busted or not (the rubber around the separated pieces is all dried up)...

If the bushings are worn that would explain a lot. The easiest way to tell is to grab and shake each piece of suspension. Did you look at your sway bar? It's the thing attached to the top of both sides of the axle near the spring. The links are attached to the actual sway bar, which looks like this: http://www.jeepbrokers.com/Jeep_Pics/project_3B_5.jpg . The horizontal bar on the left is the sway bar. With that disconnected, it's a downright scary ride.

Regarding the noises, check your ball joints, if not that, it could be control arm bushings.

To be honest, most of your descriptions sound like worn out suspension bushings. A full set of bushings should run $100 for front and rear.