Driveline / Front-End Shaking at 60+ MPH – Control Arm Recommendations?

Mgarate

Mgarate

New member
Hey everyone,

Looking for some advice on a persistent issue with my Jeep.

Vehicle:
  • 2011 Jeep JKU Rubicon
  • Daily driver, light use on Central Florida trails

Suspension / Steering Setup:
  • Rancho 2” Sport lift
  • ¾” front spacer, 1” rear spacer
  • Rear: generic track bar relocation bracket
  • Front: Rancho adjustable track bar + Rancho drop bracket
  • Teraflex ball joints (replaced ~3.5 years ago)
  • RockJock tie rod and drag link
  • Adams front driveshaft (replaced ~3.5 years ago)
The Problem:
Since I originally purchased the Jeep, the steering wheel has always had to be slightly turned/tilted to the left for the Jeep to track straight—even after multiple alignments. I eventually lived with it.

However, when I get on the highway at 60+ MPH, the front end starts shaking/vibrating. It’s not a violent death wobble, but definitely enough to be concerning and uncomfortable.

Despite all the parts replaced and adjustments made over the years, the issue still remains.

What I’m Hearing:
  • Some people are saying it could be the steering gearbox
  • Others say control arms may be the issue (bushings, geometry, etc.)
  • Question:
    Do you all recommend the Rancho control arms, or should I be looking at a higher-end option (MetalCloak, Teraflex, RockJock, etc.)?


    Given that this is mostly a daily driver with occasional trail use, I’m trying to balance ride quality, durability, and cost.


    Any insight or experience would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!
 
A better description of what’s “shaking” would be more helpful for us to diagnose. Just a shake that’s not a death wobble has me leaning towards tire balance or tire wear like Eddie is alluding to.
 
Mgarate said:
Tires are falken wildpeak at3w 33" on stock wheels
Click to expand...
Ok, the fact that you have to turn your steering wheel to track straight is most likely just radial pull. Totally normal. A speed related shake or vibration that you can feel in the steering wheel is typically a balancing issue.
 
Easiest thing to check would be tire condition and balance. “Cupped” tires can cause a vibration at speed if bad enough. Out of balance tires will obviously cause a vibration at that speed as well. Can also check ball joint play since it is a daily driver and it is a teraflex BJ
 
Tires have been rebalanced several times, including when I had the Jeep realigned by different shops. Unfortunately, the issue has remained the same, so I don’t believe tire balance is the root cause.
 
When I was running regular all-weather Firestone Destination LE2 tires (255/70/17), the vibration was minimal but still present, so the issue existed even before switching tires.
 
Mgarate said:
Tires have been rebalanced several times, including when I had the Jeep realigned by different shops. Unfortunately, the issue has remained the same, so I don’t believe tire balance is the root cause.
Click to expand...
You can believe what you want but you are the one asking for help for a problem you can't seem to get fixed. Again, a speed related shake or wobble that you can feel in the steering wheel is typically if not always, a tire balancing problem. I personally would recommend finding a friend that you can trade tires with just to test things out.
 
Mgarate said:
When I was running regular all-weather Firestone Destination LE2 tires (255/70/17), the vibration was minimal but still present, so the issue existed even before switching tires.
Click to expand...
Maybe the tire shop you're using just sucks at balancing tires. Not like I haven't seen that before. Are you using standard edge of the rim weights. If so, are they on both the inside and out or just in? I personally would recommend tape weights?
 
I appreciate the help. I’m just pointing out that I’ve already pursued those remedies multiple times with no luck. Tire balancing has always been done using tape weights on the inside of the rims.


For reference, I’m the original owner, no accidents. Over the years I’ve run the original Wrangler tires, then Hankook, Firestone, and Falken—same issue with all of them. Most of the suspension and steering components were replaced around 120k miles (about 3.5 years ago), and the problem has always been present.


My commute is mostly back roads, so I usually avoid highways. The Jeep now has 199,829 miles, and the issue is still unchanged.
 
wayoflife said:
Maybe the tire shop you're using just sucks at balancing tires. Not like I haven't seen that before. Are you using standard edge of the rim weights. If so, are they on both the inside and out or just in? I personally would recommend tape weights?
Click to expand...
This… Years ago I once had 35’s on my truck and the shop did a static balance and the vibration wouldn’t go away, tool it back in and they did a dynamic balancing where the weight tape was both on the inside and out and that made all the difference.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom