I hadn't thought of the front ujoints. What is a good way to test them to see if they are bad. Mine are original, so I am sure they are. How do you pull out the axle shafts on the d30 to replace the ujoints?
Thanks Brendan

 

My shackles were replaced last fall with 2" shackles.

 

i think mine just needs a steering box brace. i got under it and listened and the noise is coming from either pitman arm or steering box.

 

How i check mine. I jack it up and brace my tire. I then turn my front drive shaft. I just did this and found about a 1/4 inch or more of play in my passenger side u joint. Its been popping when i turn right, but not under braking or acceleration. or at least i could not hear it

 

Here's some others:

https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f2/wei...turning-50393/

 

I've had the same problem for quite a while now. I always thought it was the upper control arms, which popped because my axle is too far to the left (4" lift + stock trackbar = shifted axle) I bought an adjustable one a while ago, and figured replacing it would do the trick. Do you guys think so? Or is it strictly the U-joints? Thanks.

 

I am definately going to check my front ujoints asap. Sounds like that is exactly the problem. I have been assuming that it was everything else, like others it seems. I will let you guys know what I find out.
Thanks a bunch
Brendan

 

Well I am going to keep up on this thread, because my 98 is doing the exact same thing with the turns and going in reverse. I can't figure it out, I was starting to target the rear drums for the reverse knocking/clunking. But I am lost on the front turning knock. Everything looks and feels fine...

Anyway, good luck and please let us know if it's the joints!

 

it does not take much play in a U joint to clank and pop, what is happening is when u turn it is actually binding up and that is what you hear,

TO replace them, with jeep on ground remove the cotter pin and loosen the 36mm nut, jack it up remove tire, take off brake caliper and hang it up with some wire or something dont let it dangle by brake line, remove rotor, and then take of the 36 nut, then on the back side of the knuckle are three 12 point bolts, take them out, with a mallet remove the bearing hub assembly, once that is off take out the axle, remove clips from inside u joint, and remove u joint, u can look it up on google how to do that, then install new one put clips back in, install in reverse if u need torque specs let me know, i have the fsm here for a 90 should be similar if not same for other years

 

Also check your pitman arm make sure its tight mine was popping like crazy