rppngears91

Hey all. Ive done some searching over the net. I have an 89 cherokee with the vacuum disconnect crap. But the fork is already shimmed out to engage the axles at all times. But when I throw it into 4WD, the front end/middle of the cars sounds like something is binding up and then releasing...and it sounds like its going to explode.

It happens under acceleration in 4WD but also as well as turning without accelerating in 4WD (4WD ONLY! 2WD is fine.

It could be the transfer case (most likely) or the u-joint or something. Im just not sure. What are serious symptoms of bad u-joints/cv-joints?

(Eckks-Jay)

Does it do this with the DS off?

rppngears91

?? what do you mean exaclty? take the drive shaft off?

rppngears91

BTW, could it be something in the front differential as well? thanks all! for any ideas

BuckB91XJ

Does your Jeep do this binding thing on road, off road or both. I ask because The vaccum disco 4WD system is lot made to be run in 4WD while on the road. Basically, with that front vacuum shift fork shimmed to be in 4WD all the time and then actually putting your TC into 4HI will cause it to bind up on the road. This is normal.

rppngears91

no, unfortunatley this occurs off road as well. There is def something really wrong. Im just not sure what to fix!

BuckB91XJ

Well, if everything in the front rolls fine until you shift in 4WD then it's a problem with the transfer case itself.

rppngears91

man that was like the last thing i wanted to hear! hahah it couldnt be the front differential by any chance?

(Eckks-Jay)

Not really. That is spinning in 2wd as well so you would notice.

prerunner1982

Previous owner may have been driving it on the street in 4wd.

offroadnut36

my front u-joints pop and crackle when im in 4wd cause I need new ones. maybe you need new u-joints.

rppngears91

unfortunately no. since i have the the vacuum disconnect disable (the axles are always engaged together). Those u joints would always be spinning so I would hear something in 2WD still.