Floor vibration?

[dioriod]

I had the same vibration in my new JL Unlimited. I tracked it to a resonance (drone) coming from the exhaust system. From 1800-2200 rpm, especially under strain, the drone coming from the right side (exhaust tip) was very annoying. Other owners reported the same on many other posts. The exhaust system is 3.0 Inch, usually seen on aftermarket systems. Good news, I fixed it with a $26 resonance exhaust tip made by DC Sports (Amazon or Advance auto) Part number EX-1010, a 9 inch tip with 3 inch intake. This part is a very tight fit with both a 3 inch exhaust and intake, but it does fit well with the help of a rubber mallet, making the fasteners optional. The tip extends a few inches past the bumper, but looks good and best of all - it cures the resonance noise. Hope this is your issue.

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[mortuar]

I had the same vibration in my new JL Unlimited. I tracked it to a resonance (drone) coming from the exhaust system. From 1800-2200 rpm, especially under strain, the drone coming from the right side (exhaust tip) was very annoying. Other owners reported the same on many other posts. The exhaust system is 3.0 Inch, usually seen on aftermarket systems. Good news, I fixed it with a $26 resonance exhaust tip made by DC Sports (Amazon or Advance auto) Part number EX-1010, a 9 inch tip with 3 inch intake. This part is a very tight fit with both a 3 inch exhaust and intake, but it does fit well with the help of a rubber mallet, making the fasteners optional. The tip extends a few inches past the bumper, but looks good and best of all - it cures the resonance noise. Hope this is your issue.

This is interesting. Did this happen at any speed within that RPM range? My resonance only happens very noticeably at 60-65MPH, but it seems to start now around 45MPH - just really low and not as pronounced. I have never felt it at any other time.

I'm also hesitant to modify any part of the exhaust on this vehicle. My experience with Jeep and dealerships and warranty has been a game of, "what issues can we ignore because of any aftermarket parts you've put on". :/

 

[mortuar]

Other owners reported the same on many other posts.

Can you point me to any other threads or posts with this info? I was searching but I'm coming up empty. Thank you!

 

[dioriod]

Zack, below are a few other posts that talk about a harmonic that seems to come from the exhaust.

https://www.wranglerforum.com/f202/harmonic-vibration-driving-me-nuts-dealer-s-no-help-2160209.html
https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/“whirring”-noise-in-rear.11967/page-2

Exhaust harmonics are extremely tough to track down. My dealer wouldn't even attempt to diagnose, so I was on my own. The problem stems from the exhaust at certain rpms (that differ for each Jeep) resonating within the exhaust pipes and making a drone noise that can be heard and sometimes felt in the cabin. Like you, I was not willing to replace the exhaust (the root cause) on a brand new Jeep under warranty, so I elected to mask the symptoms with a resonated exhaust tip (pic below). It worked really really well, but this may not fix your problem. The good news about an exhaust tip is that you can put it on - see if it fixes the issue - and make it permanent if it does or send it back if it does not. There is not permanent alteration (simply slips on) to the exhaust. May be worth a try if the noise is driving you nuts.

 

[mortuar]

below are a few other posts that talk about a harmonic that seems to come from the exhaust.

I went to those to forum posts, but neither mentioned exhaust (except for your comment on the second one). Has anyone else verified this as the cause of their droning?

It's good to know this isn't a permanent change if I want to test the fix. Does that exhaust tip cause a different/louder noise that simply masks the droning? Unless I'm mistaken, a resonator exhaust tip is built to give a deeper exhaust note? Curious how it changed yours if at all. I just want a stock Jeep with no droning.

 

[mortuar]

I've ordered a black resonator DC Sports tip with the same specifications from Pep Boys for local pickup to see if it masks this issue for me as well. I will hopefully get it installed later today or tomorrow. I figured at the very least it's worth it for more than one person to test this out. Will report back!

 

[mortuar]

Also, the Pep Boys website had the chrome version (EX-1010) available for pick up in store as well (cheaper for me than Amazon) and it gave me an additional 25% off on top of the regular price. The one I ordered is a EX1011B and was $18.74 plus tax for me locally ($20.29 total). I'll attach a stock photo of it here in the event anyone is curious what it looks like.

 

[dioriod]

The tip does not create a louder tone at all. Remember that it is a very tight fit and you will need a rubber mallet. The fastener screws go in without the extension pieces because it is so tight. Black or chrome both look good and should perform the same. It has been a week now and I could not be happier - no drone and no resonance (that I can hear anyway). Good luck!

 

[Dc85]

i am not sure if its the same we are discussing
but i feel a vibration under the accelerator pedal on a moderate speed.
i can feel the settle vibration under the plant of my foot..you guys feel it too?

 

[dioriod]

Dc85, your problem is definitely different. I have no such vibration.

 

[mortuar]

Just a quick update - I am useless and haven't yet installed the tip. My hesitation is having to hammer it onto the exhaust which makes it kind of permanent unless I want to fight to get it off (let me know if that would not be the case @dioriod). I did however change the oil and rotated all 5 tires. I can confirm the vibration still exists after rotation at the same MPH and in the exact same way. Will hopefully get the tip on soon.

 

[dioriod]

Gentle hammering with a rubber mallet should not make it permanent. Put some lubricant (lithium grease or any type of grease) on both the tip and the exhaust pipe to prevent sticking for both going on - and taking it off. Make sure the label is up and centered and try not to twist it. The screw fasteners will hold it after install. The tip should take care of the drone noise and I hope the vibration associated with it. I had only a very very slight vibration, mostly it was harmonic drone noise. Best of luck.

 

[mortuar]

Gentle hammering with a rubber mallet should not make it permanent. Put some lubricant (lithium grease or any type of grease) on both the tip and the exhaust pipe to prevent sticking for both going on - and taking it off. Make sure the label is up and centered and try not to twist it. The screw fasteners will hold it after install. The tip should take care of the drone noise and I hope the vibration associated with it. I had only a very very slight vibration, mostly it was harmonic drone noise. Best of luck.

Thanks Dave - I was planning on throwing some grease on it just in case. If it cures the issue for me I'll be leaving it on anyway - I've just never been a fan of exhaust tips so it bugs me that I have to do this in the first place. My droning is rather pronounced and loud (I can feel and hear it while I'm listening to music), so we'll see if it cures it. My hope is that it makes it at least more tolerable.

Thanks again!

 

[mortuar]

Thanks Dave - I was planning on throwing some grease on it just in case. If it cures the issue for me I'll be leaving it on anyway - I've just never been a fan of exhaust tips so it bugs me that I have to do this in the first place. My droning is rather pronounced and loud (I can feel and hear it while I'm listening to music), so we'll see if it cures it. My hope is that it makes it at least more tolerable.

Thanks again!

I forgot to reply to this thread so long ago. I attempted to install the exhaust tip to no avail - including with grease and gentle hammering with a mallet. There is simply no way this tip is going on the exhaust without some pretty heavy blows with the mallet, and I wasn't willing to do that.

So... I have a tip with scraped up paint and a Jeep that still has the issue. Sorry for the super late response to this thread!

 

[Mr G]

I have the same vibration in my 2109 rubicon 4door, dealer replaced the drive shaft and the vibration was still there so what I did was rotate the shaft on the rear hub until the vibration was gone. It’s a balance phase between the shaft and the rear hub because that is balanced separate so if there off you’ll get bad vibes. Easy fix, just keep trying one hole rotation until it’s gone.

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