I just bought a stock 2002 Wrangler Sport, 4.0L, Automatic, 4WD (of course),
48K miles. This is my first Wrangler (I had a 4WD '93 Cherokee some years
back, but that doesn't count :-)

At low speeds, less than around 5 mph, there is a pronounced growl and
vibrations from what feels like the front end.

At first, I thought it needed a brake job, and made the dealer agree to fix
it.

But, I've since discovered that it does this even when the brakes aren't
being applied.

Above 5 mph, the noise and vibrations go away and it runs smooth.

My question is, is this normal, or is something probably wrong?

I was hoping some of you veterans would have some advice.

Thanks!

 

You have a u-joint at each wheel. If one is bad it can make noise. If
you cut the wheels to the side and look, you can wiggle it to see if
it's loose or if you see rust stains at the caps then it is likely dead.

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's
Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
Jan/06 http://www.imagestation.com/album/pi...?id=2115147590
(More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)

Darrell Pittman wrote:
>
> I just bought a stock 2002 Wrangler Sport, 4.0L, Automatic, 4WD (of course),
> 48K miles. This is my first Wrangler (I had a 4WD '93 Cherokee some years
> back, but that doesn't count :-)
>
> At low speeds, less than around 5 mph, there is a pronounced growl and
> vibrations from what feels like the front end.
>
> At first, I thought it needed a brake job, and made the dealer agree to fix
> it.
>
> But, I've since discovered that it does this even when the brakes aren't
> being applied.
>
> Above 5 mph, the noise and vibrations go away and it runs smooth.
>
> My question is, is this normal, or is something probably wrong?
>
> I was hoping some of you veterans would have some advice.
>
> Thanks!

 

You have a u-joint at each wheel. If one is bad it can make noise. If
you cut the wheels to the side and look, you can wiggle it to see if
it's loose or if you see rust stains at the caps then it is likely dead.

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's
Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
Jan/06 http://www.imagestation.com/album/pi...?id=2115147590
(More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)

Darrell Pittman wrote:
>
> I just bought a stock 2002 Wrangler Sport, 4.0L, Automatic, 4WD (of course),
> 48K miles. This is my first Wrangler (I had a 4WD '93 Cherokee some years
> back, but that doesn't count :-)
>
> At low speeds, less than around 5 mph, there is a pronounced growl and
> vibrations from what feels like the front end.
>
> At first, I thought it needed a brake job, and made the dealer agree to fix
> it.
>
> But, I've since discovered that it does this even when the brakes aren't
> being applied.
>
> Above 5 mph, the noise and vibrations go away and it runs smooth.
>
> My question is, is this normal, or is something probably wrong?
>
> I was hoping some of you veterans would have some advice.
>
> Thanks!

 

You have a u-joint at each wheel. If one is bad it can make noise. If
you cut the wheels to the side and look, you can wiggle it to see if
it's loose or if you see rust stains at the caps then it is likely dead.

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's
Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
Jan/06 http://www.imagestation.com/album/pi...?id=2115147590
(More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)

Darrell Pittman wrote:
>
> I just bought a stock 2002 Wrangler Sport, 4.0L, Automatic, 4WD (of course),
> 48K miles. This is my first Wrangler (I had a 4WD '93 Cherokee some years
> back, but that doesn't count :-)
>
> At low speeds, less than around 5 mph, there is a pronounced growl and
> vibrations from what feels like the front end.
>
> At first, I thought it needed a brake job, and made the dealer agree to fix
> it.
>
> But, I've since discovered that it does this even when the brakes aren't
> being applied.
>
> Above 5 mph, the noise and vibrations go away and it runs smooth.
>
> My question is, is this normal, or is something probably wrong?
>
> I was hoping some of you veterans would have some advice.
>
> Thanks!

 

Hi Darrell,
See if you can find a little unevenness in the tire tread. Cupping
unfortunately is almost normal with mud and snow designed tires on a
straight axle, and why we must rotate tires every five thousand miles.
God Bless America, Bill O|||||||O
mailto:-------------------- http://www.----------.com/

Darrell Pittman wrote:
>
> I just bought a stock 2002 Wrangler Sport, 4.0L, Automatic, 4WD (of course),
> 48K miles. This is my first Wrangler (I had a 4WD '93 Cherokee some years
> back, but that doesn't count :-)
>
> At low speeds, less than around 5 mph, there is a pronounced growl and
> vibrations from what feels like the front end.
>
> At first, I thought it needed a brake job, and made the dealer agree to fix
> it.
>
> But, I've since discovered that it does this even when the brakes aren't
> being applied.
>
> Above 5 mph, the noise and vibrations go away and it runs smooth.
>
> My question is, is this normal, or is something probably wrong?
>
> I was hoping some of you veterans would have some advice.
>
> Thanks!

 

Hi Darrell,
See if you can find a little unevenness in the tire tread. Cupping
unfortunately is almost normal with mud and snow designed tires on a
straight axle, and why we must rotate tires every five thousand miles.
God Bless America, Bill O|||||||O
mailto:-------------------- http://www.----------.com/

Darrell Pittman wrote:
>
> I just bought a stock 2002 Wrangler Sport, 4.0L, Automatic, 4WD (of course),
> 48K miles. This is my first Wrangler (I had a 4WD '93 Cherokee some years
> back, but that doesn't count :-)
>
> At low speeds, less than around 5 mph, there is a pronounced growl and
> vibrations from what feels like the front end.
>
> At first, I thought it needed a brake job, and made the dealer agree to fix
> it.
>
> But, I've since discovered that it does this even when the brakes aren't
> being applied.
>
> Above 5 mph, the noise and vibrations go away and it runs smooth.
>
> My question is, is this normal, or is something probably wrong?
>
> I was hoping some of you veterans would have some advice.
>
> Thanks!

 

Hi Darrell,
See if you can find a little unevenness in the tire tread. Cupping
unfortunately is almost normal with mud and snow designed tires on a
straight axle, and why we must rotate tires every five thousand miles.
God Bless America, Bill O|||||||O
mailto:-------------------- http://www.----------.com/

Darrell Pittman wrote:
>
> I just bought a stock 2002 Wrangler Sport, 4.0L, Automatic, 4WD (of course),
> 48K miles. This is my first Wrangler (I had a 4WD '93 Cherokee some years
> back, but that doesn't count :-)
>
> At low speeds, less than around 5 mph, there is a pronounced growl and
> vibrations from what feels like the front end.
>
> At first, I thought it needed a brake job, and made the dealer agree to fix
> it.
>
> But, I've since discovered that it does this even when the brakes aren't
> being applied.
>
> Above 5 mph, the noise and vibrations go away and it runs smooth.
>
> My question is, is this normal, or is something probably wrong?
>
> I was hoping some of you veterans would have some advice.
>
> Thanks!