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Crab Walking Jeep

6K views 6 replies 2 participants last post by  Ypahihi 
#1 ·
Hi All, Been awhile since I've been on the forum but I have a problem that is getting worsr over time. The back end is beginning to feel like it is crab walking. The rear end feels like it is starting to be independant to the front end. There is a definite clunk when excelerating and there is also a rubbing noise when turning on the left side that sounds like the front left but suspect it is transfering from the rear. I have been underneath the jeep and cannot see anything out of the ordinary and a quick inspection of the rear bushes isn't showing any obvious wear. Have booked jeep in with our work mechanics as a hoist will allow a better inspection. Any help or links would be appreciated. Can anyone recommend a bushes kit? I will be better off ordering kit from the US as 'Jeep prices' here in Oz still seems to attract extra 0's to the price. Cheers
 
#2 · (Edited)
The rear axle upper A-arm front bushings are well known to wear out and also the rear center balljoint. Changed the bushings on my A-arm. First installed new bushings from Omix-Ada, which where crap and worn out within a month and roughly 1000 Km. Now i have Dorman bushings which are much better and after 2 months still look ok.
I don´t know if there are complete kits available, but i bought my bushings from Rockauto.
 
#4 ·
Best is to have a hydraulic press to get the old ones out and the new ones in. You have to be very carefull when pressing in the new ones, because they easily get in at a small angle and get stuck. You can damage the arm when continue pressing. For me it worked the best by pressing a bit on one side and then on the other side and bit by bit it gets in without getting stuck. You could eventually buy a complete new arm, but i think with shipping and taxes it becomes a bit expensive.
 
#5 · (Edited)
Last week I finally got all the bushes, links and Addco swaybar installed while the workshop serviced the jeep.
It has certainly changed the rear end and no more crab walking.
I thought it might also negate the rubbing sound coming when turning left and right ( I think it is purely diff related) but it has significantly reduced the rubbing noise to a minimum. Thinking of changing the diff oil and not adding an additive as I believe I have an open diff judging from other forum writings.

Curious to know if noise is transmitted at an exaggerated rate through a combination of hard rubber and distressed or fatigued metal parts?

Will update when this has happened.
 
#6 ·
When your jeep has no Quadra Drive nor a factory tow package, then most probably it has an open diff and doesn't need additive.
 
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