headRUSH

Ok so here's my specs and my problem:

3" Rough Country Lift
31" Tires
Aftermarket LCA
Aftermarket Shocks

Problem:

With front drive-shaft in, horrible clunking noise coming from front end accompanied with drive-shaft vibration.

What I know is NOT the problem:
Drive-shaft itself (tested with another known good driveshaft problem still exists)

Front end suspension - Literally just did another double check on everything from brakes to wheel bearings, everything is tight and greased well.

The transfer case appears to be in good condition no wiggle room on it at all

What I believe the problem is!

The front carrier, the piece that connects to the driveshaft (called a yoke?) has some play while the drive-shaft is out, good amount of wiggle room and it should be solid right?

Also I have had the front two tires up off the ground and if rolled back and forth, you can hear the clicking sound coming from within the carrier.

Since I believe whatever inside of it is stripped it probably tore up the whole carrier, so I plan on finding one cheap at a junkyard or on craig's list.

What I'm asking is if there is anything I have overlooked.

Crazy 8s

headRUSH

None of the things covered in those videos are my problem, and the way he described it that's not really my problem. It's mainly bad vibration in the driveshaft shaking the whole vehicle, because when the front shaft is out the problem goes away. I think its the carrier, anyone think its something else I haven't checked so I can check it?

SteveMongr

What you have is driveline vibration, not to be confused with death wobble.
That front pinion/yoke on the axle should not wiggle or move, only turn. This is likely the issue as you mention.
As for the clicking, either you have a automatic locker in the front differential, or there is an internal problem. It could be there is a severely worn or broken pinion bearing.
I suggest you remove the front differential cover and visually inspect, including checking the gear oil for chunks or particles.

JeepaholicNinja

Lol not death wobble...I was gonna feel sympathy for op because I have death wobble...and driveline vibes, and no cash haha

Turbo X_J

If the pinion bearing is that far gone it's probably cheaper to just replace the axle, unless you are planning to change ratios.

SteveMongr

^ I agree!

headRUSH

What does this mean? Just replace the carrier, or replace the front axle?

SteveMongr

The whole axle, end to end. Cost around $100 from another jeeper.

To repair yours would require;
$180 ring & pinion
$90 install kit
$300 labor

headRUSH

It's raining right now so I can't check the differential by taking the cover off, but I'll do that soon.

I am pretty sure I can find an entire front carrier for around 100-150 on craigslist so when payday comes I'll be looking into that rather than fix mine.

884x4

You should never use a ring gear that wasn't made with your pinion.
If you find another carrier your still gonna have to put your gears on it (as long as they arnt toast) and 're set them because of the different carrier. Not to mention pulling your pinion and puting new bearings on it(again, if it's not toast already)
Your carrier is probably fine. Its the pinion bearing makeing the pinion wiggle which your yoke attaches to.
If it's been doing this a while I bet it has thrown your pattern off and has worn the gears considerably.
Like said above, a junkyard axle is your best bet unless you wanna 're gear your axles

SteveMongr

^ 884x4, good info.
I am thinking headRUSH is referring to the 'axle assembly' when saying "carrier" (carries the vehicle).

headRUSH

My gears are stock so another stock carrier (pumpkin, differential, these are all the same thing right?) would have the same gears right?

SteveMongr

Yes, the carrier/differential case has the ring gear attached.
But you need the Pinion gear, and its bearings. Needs to be a matching gear set, the ring gear and pinion gear.
All of it is housed inside the 'pumpkin'

edit; We are not referring to 'gear ratio' which will be the same as you mention. But that a ring gear and a pinion gear are a matched set and cannot be interchanged.