Crabtree

Hello all, We just got back today from a camping trip with very little wheeling and what we did do was not very challenging or taxing on the XJ. I have a 97 Sport automatic with the NP242. While in either 4high or fulltime and I am against any obstacle and I'm trying to pull up on it I get kind of like a squeal or buzzer like sound. I have not heard anything like that while in 4low, just the other two. on a separate noise, while in 4low descending a hill with rock I seem to get a lot of clunking and maybe a rubbing/grinding noise from front driver side. I don't seem to get the rubbing/grinding while ascending the same hill but I keep the clunking. All 4 ball joints are roughly 4 to 5 years old. I did notice that the swaybar pin driver side is at least an inch closer to the spring than it is on the passenger side. While in any part time setting I seem to hear a whirring low sound. not quite a grinding but it could very well be a grinding. Are there any maintenance needs on the NP242 other than fluid swap? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks everyone

cruiser54

Closely inspect your engine and trans mounts.

Crabtree

I should have added that lol. sorry. I have replaced the motor mounts with Brown Dog Offroad motor mounts 3 years ago and they still look great. Replaced the Trans mount with an OEM less than a year ago. I checked it as well just to rule it out. I don't seem to get any type of odd sound when in 2wd, just 4wd. Also seems like maybe there is a lag between pushing the gas pedal and the Jeep moving. That seems to happen in 4low with auto in 1st-2nd. I'm not leaning towards wheel bearing either as I don't get it in 2wd.

PatHenry

How are the front driveshaft u-joints and axle u-joints?

Crabtree

Looked over front driveshaft and u-joints. Nothing seemed out of place, worn, loose or in bad shape. The screeching sound is in both forward and reverse but only when I'm up against something at a stop and I try to pull over it. Never get it in 4low just 4high and fulltime.

PatHenry

Do you get the sound if you drive it without the driveshaft but have it in 4wd?

Crabtree

I haven't removed the front drive shaft. yet. it has a 3 inch lift that was on it when I bought it and I've just been told it should have gotten new sway bar links and maybe a new track bar. ill be doing both of these. Is there any reason I cant run it while its on jack stands? doing all the rear brake components and its in the air now. Of course ill need to be careful with the tires in the air when doing all the shifting etc...

PatHenry

I don't see any reason you couldn't run it while on jack stands. When I had to do a wheel hub on my 95 I ran it on jack stands to use the PS to help pop the old hub out using the bolt/socket trick.

Just make sure there's nothing in the way of any moving parts and obviously finish putting the drums back together first. And of course be careful getting in and out, but if you've got jack stand under the frame at equal height at the 4 "corners", you should be fine.

PatHenry

It might be advantageous if you get the sound while up on jacks, then you can confirm it's coming from the transfer case front output, or if you don't get the sound you can closely inspect the front axle yolk and see if manually turning it is noisy or imbalanced.