When you first experience your Jeep shaking when accelerating, your mind immediately races with questions: What could that be? Is this safe to drive? How much will this cost me? The good news is that if your Jeep only shakes when you accelerate, it usually points to a minor issue that needs to be fixed. If you can address the problem quickly, you may avoid costly repairs in the future. Let’s take a closer look at the “Jeep shakes when accelerating” issue.
Wheel Balance Issues
Out-of-Balance Wheels
One common cause of shaking during acceleration is out-of-balance wheels. If you feel any shaking after getting new tires installed or after running into a curb, your wheels may need to be balanced. Most garages perform this simple task at a reasonable price.
- Steering Wheel Vibration: If you feel the shake through the steering wheel, your front wheels need balancing.
- Seat Vibration: If the shake is felt through your seat, the rear wheels may need balancing.
Shaking due to unbalanced wheels typically intensifies as your vehicle’s speed increases.
Worn CV Joint
Constant Velocity Joints
Your front drive shafts are equipped with constant velocity (CV) joints, which enable your wheels to rotate while you’re moving. These joints are rubber boots containing grease-filled bearings. Occasionally, the CV boot may split, allowing water to enter and causing the grease to leak out. This can lead to excessive wear and vibrations.
- Noise or Vibration Changes: If the noise or vibration changes as you turn a corner, it could indicate a worn CV joint.
- Visual Inspection: A visible split in the rubber boot can be seen by inspecting it.
A worn CV joint needs to be replaced to avoid further damage.
Damaged Driveshaft or Prop Shaft
Driveshaft Issues
A driveshaft or prop shaft that isn’t perfectly aligned can cause your Jeep to shake, especially as speed increases. If your vehicle is front-wheel drive, the problem could be a broken drive shaft that connects to each wheel. For rear-wheel-drive vehicles, the prop shaft connects the gearbox to the differential.
- Slight Vibrations: You may feel slight vibrations even when not accelerating if the prop shaft is unbalanced.
Inspection
To check for a damaged driveshaft or prop shaft, drive your car onto a ramp with all four wheels raised off the ground and visually inspect each shaft for steady rotation.
Faulty MAF Sensor
Mass Air Flow Sensor
Your car’s mass air flow (MAF) sensor, attached to the intake piping, regulates the fuel-air mixture in your engine. A malfunctioning MAF sensor can cause incorrect fuel delivery, resulting in a shaky acceleration.
- Diagnostic Tools: You will need specialized diagnostic tools to read fault codes and measure the live data from the sensor.
Faulty O2 Sensor
Oxygen Sensors
Your car’s oxygen sensors are located in the exhaust system, with one pre-catalytic converter and one post-catalytic converter. These sensors adjust the fuel mixture in your engine. A malfunctioning O2 sensor can cause your engine to miss fuel and result in shaking during acceleration.
- OBD2 Diagnostic Tool: Use an OBD2 diagnostic tool to monitor real-time data and check for fault codes related to the O2 sensors.
Engine Misfire
Causes of Engine Misfire
An engine misfire occurs when one or more cylinders fail to fire correctly. This can be due to inadequate fuel injection, lack of cylinder compression, or a lack of spark.
- Spark Plugs: Check and replace spark plugs if necessary.
- Fuel Injectors: Clean or replace faulty fuel injectors.
- Compression: Perform a compression test to check for issues with pistons, valves, or the engine block.
Worn Engine or Gearbox Mounts
Mount Issues
Worn engine or gearbox mounts can cause your Jeep to shake when accelerating and produce a loud knocking sound.
- Visual Inspection: Inspect the mounts for wear and unusual movement. Use a pry bar to check for excessive movement.
Faulty Gearbox
Gearbox Problems
A worn gear or bearing inside the gearbox can cause vibrations when a gear is selected. Engaging the clutch while driving can help determine if the gearbox is malfunctioning.
- Oil Level Check: Check and top off the gearbox oil if necessary. If the shaking diminishes, the problem may be related to low oil levels.
Conclusion
If your Jeep shakes when accelerating, it’s essential to diagnose and fix the issue promptly. Common causes include unbalanced wheels, worn CV joints, damaged driveshafts, faulty sensors, engine misfires, worn mounts, and gearbox problems. Most of these issues have quick and affordable fixes. However, addressing them early can prevent more significant damage and expensive repairs.
