I have searched numerous threads prior to posting this but didn't see a thread similar to this - apologize if I missed it.

I have a 2006 QC 4x2 on 20s with a Rough Country front leveling kit installed about 2 years ago. (I think it was a RC - I didn't install it but had the guy who did my Jeep Rubicon lift put it on - fairly certain it was a rough country kit). I bought the truck new so I know it has never had any accident damage etc. The truck has 42K miles on it and most of those miles were long trips and it may sit a month at a time without being driven. About 6-10 months ago it developed an odd vibration from the rear. At first I thought it was the tires so I had them balanced (they were out of balance) but it didn't really fix the issue. The tires had some uneven wear so while the balancing helped, the problem wasn't cured and I figured it was a tire issue.

Yesterday I installed new wheels and tires and the issue is still there thus eliminating a wheel or tire issue. The truck is very smooth up to around 60-65 MPH and then I get a vibration. I can go over that speed and the vibration will usually go away. If I have to hit the brakes at that speed, the vibration is horribly bad. This doesn't happen at any other speed. I checked the rotors and they seem fine (although I think warped rotors would be at every braking speed). Also, this doesn't happen every time - it may do it one moment and not the next which is even more frustrating.

I have thought it might be (1) brake related somehow but can't really believe that (2) a drive shaft balancing issue (3) wobble from the leveling kit but from what I had read that is mainly 4x4s and in the front (I have no vibration in the front) or (4) something I haven't even considered.

Any ideas?

Thanks

Robby

 

When was the last time you had an alignment done on your truck?

 

6 to 8 months ago

 

vibration is the hardest damn thing to track down IMO. Could be any one of a dozen suspension/brake/steering components, a tire or wheel issue (which you have pretty much ruled out) or even a drive shaft that was out of balance.

If I ruled out balance and alignment and saw no undue wear in any suspension components, I'd probably check the driveshaft for balance next...

 

Took the truck to a tire shop today to get the tires rebalanced and the truck realigned. Before they would do that they wanted to drive it and inspect it good so that I wasn't wasting any money. After putting it on a lift and checking everything we narrowed it down to either a bad wheel or a bent axle. Since I knew it had the problem before these wheels were put on, it came down to a bent axle on rear passenger side.

This makes sense since my daughter had run off in a ditch about 6 months ago and hit on that side. It wasn't a bad hit (I didn't think) so I never contributed this to the vibration problem. But the vibration did start about then now that I think about it.

Guess I will get it in the shop this week to have the half axle replaced. I figure that will cost me about $500.

Oh well at least I know what it is now.

Robby

 

Good to hear feedback. Sucks its going to cost some funds.

The P/N for the axle itself is 52067614AC and is about $275 on http://www.dodge-auto-parts-dealer.com/parts.htm

Swapping a axle out is as easy as removing the tire, brakes, ect then removing the rear diff cover and removing the clip and sliding one out and the other in it place.

Also might wanna replace the axle seal while you have it out if you are going to do it yourself.

 

Thanks for the info. Getting ready to order the part and do the repair. At least it won't be as bad as I figured it would be.