Shimmies and Grates when turned sharply

[Starbuck]

Hello,

I'm test driving a 87 Cherokee and I've never had a 4wd before. Whenever it's turned sharply, the wheels grate and shimmy severely. Is this normal? I asked the dealer about it and he says it's the 4wd with the over sized tires but I would like to ask for other opinions, please.

Any advice will be appreciated. Thanks

 

[Starbuck]

P.S. How the heck do you sign out of this site?

*ETA: found it

 

[97WhiteDragon]

Hello,

I'm test driving a 87 Cherokee and I've never had a 4wd before. Whenever it's turned sharply, the wheels grate and shimmy severely. Is this normal? I asked the dealer about it and he says it's the 4wd with the over sized tires but I would like to ask for other opinions, please.

Any advice will be appreciated. Thanks

Even my 97 grand cherokee in 4WD hops and shimmies when turned, especially at full turn. For my situation, its mainly because i have solid axle in the front ( and you probably do too, but i dont know much about older cherokees) so, pretty much - theres u-joints that connect to knuckles at the end of your axles. When turned hard, those knuckles/u-joints almost act like they they try to hook up with each other, causing that hopping action. Its 100% normal, especially with larger tires.. But this only happens really on pavement or terrain that is flat and not that rough.

 

[extra-medium]

the solid axle doesn't have anything to do with it. Unless the spider gears are welded in the front diff. they rotate around letting the inside wheel turn slower than the outside wheel. I would check u joints on the front axle and go from there. is there anything when driving straight or slightly turning, or just when its a sharp turn. also is it each direction or only turning one way?

 

[97WhiteDragon]

the solid axle doesn't have anything to do with it. Unless the spider gears are welded in the front diff. they rotate around letting the inside wheel turn slower than the outside wheel. I would check u joints on the front axle and go from there. is there anything when driving straight or slightly turning, or just when its a sharp turn. also is it each direction or only turning one way?

I could be wrong but, i thought all solid axle fronts have u-joints on each end of the axle? Reason why i bring this up, is because then a solid axle actually does have something to do with it, if his problem is u-joints. Im seriously asking, not being a goof. If it wasnt solid wouldnt it have cv joints/boots? Which in my experience, doesnt hop at all ( in my old 93 dodge dakota).

 

[extra-medium]

i was saying it could be the ujoints in the front axle. some grand cherokees came with a cv joint in the front axle if i am not mistaken, but most of them have u joints. cars and trucks/suv's with independent front suspension have cv axle shafts, but jeeps for the most part did have a u joint on each end. my durango i used to have had a lift and 32's and my grand cherokee now has 31's and i don't have that problem and both have solid front axles. it could be something from the parts being worn out. I'm not the sharpest tool in the shed, just giving more of my opinion/insight into what i think it would be.

 

[Starbuck]

Thanks, guys. It only happened sometimes... not always. The slower the speed when turning sharply it seems, the greater chance of it happening. Yeah, I asked around some other places and they all agreed it was perfectly normal.

As it happened, there was too much wrong with the body rotting away, especially underneath the front seats, which were broken. In short, they'd run the thing ragged and then put a few pretties on it to make it look solid. It would have taken too much money and too many repairs for my budget overall, so I'm still looking...

Wish me luck finding my choice rig. I've wanted a Jeep since I was a kid. It took an expert mechanic who checked it out for me to keep me from getting it because it sure was eye candy for a jeep freak.

I'm sure mine's out there somewhere.

 

[97WhiteDragon]

Too bad you didnt live (i think) in northern bc. Id sell you my 97 ZJ. I just want a TJ, thats the reason for selling.

 

[Starbuck]

That is too bad... You're right about that being pretty far away. How much are you asking?

 

[97WhiteDragon]

That is too bad... You're right about that being pretty far away. How much are you asking?

3500 obo. Brand new water pump, belt, rotors, brake pads, radiator, battery, and aftermarket cd deck (JVC). 205,000 kms, 4.0L inline 6.

 

[Starbuck]

Sounds nice, White Dragon, but we'd have to look at it in person and drive it, etc. Do you have pics of it?

 

[97WhiteDragon]

Sounds nice, White Dragon, but we'd have to look at it in person and drive it, etc. Do you have pics of it?

Yea i do, i could email pics. Its virtually rust free and interior is in good shape as well. But if your actually that interested, keep in mind i live way up north ( Fort St. John BC). I dont know where you live but im sure its a long ways from me.