I have a 96 xj 4.0L auto. I just did a transmission swap but it sat there for a year. Recently its been making some front end noise, along with some steering problems. If I'm at a stop and in drive, I can turn my wheel all the way in either direction; as soon as I give it gas it sounds like its rubbing against something. I've checked and the tires aren't hitting anything. Also if I hit a bump it makes the same rubbing noise. If its making the noise at stop, I can put the tranny in neutral and it stops until its under load. I'm not sure if this is related, but in high range four wheel drive its a lot worse. I think its an axle bind, but I have no idea where to start. Any advice would be appreciated!

 

Sounds like a bad axle u-joint or unit bearing. Jack it up and play with the tires---push, spin, wiggle----or have a friend jerk the wheels around while you watch for loose parts, noise or play in the bearing or u -joint. Make sure the front is safely supported on stands, back wheels chocked, and for good measure put the floor jack under the axle for a backup.

 

also, i would measure the circumfrence of both front tires, make sure they are very close to the same. if not this will cause the same thing.

 

Thanks for the info, I'll try that today while I change the oil. As for the tires, they don't have but 5000 on them. I will rotate and measure them just to be sure. The weird thing about it is, sometimes it makes no noise at all. That is, until you make a sharp turn. And sometimes I'll be at a stop and I kind hear the noise with the wheel straight (very subtly). But I'll give it a shot