hi! i have a 1998 xj w the 4.0 & ax15 5spd and am chasing a really egregious squeak noise that suddenly started a few days ago.

the squeak only occurs in gear, and almost always when coasting in 1st and 2nd. it is most audible from 5-20mph, after that it’s very difficult to hear if it’s there at all. i have managed to hear it very very faintly in 3rd when coasting.

the squeak is speed dependent, i can hear it slowing down. i guess you could call it a chirp, it sounds comfortably in between

here is a link to a reddit post i made with a clip of the sound

any application of clutch or throttle makes the sound stop, though with the throttle i’m wondering if i just can’t hear it? it is very loud though.

i have zero drivability issues, the trans feels good no slipping shifts well. it is not my front driveshaft, i lubed the rear but haven’t taken that off. i am inclined to not believe its wheel bearing / axle u joint / or suspension related as the sound does not occur in neutral even at the same speeds, but i cannot 100% confirm.

i took it to a shop as im traveling and can’t drop my trans and the guy drove it for 2 min and said i need a full trans rebuild but before i go through all that i figured id see if anyone else has heard this or has some insight!

 

My WAG is maybe a driveline U-joint. ????? IDK if yours have grease nipples on them, but if yes, give them a few pumps with your grease gun. Nice audio clip BTW. I had to max the gain to hear it (almost like baby birds?).

 

Have you checked the lube level in the transmission and the transfer case?

Also might want to lube the shift linkage that's accessable.

 

Front drive shaft ? The centering ball.