I've got a 97 XJ, and when turning left or right in 2wd I noticed it makes an audible clunking noise when turning right or left and moving forward or in reverse. I recently drove it in 4wd, and the noise was much more pronounced. It sounds as if it is coming from the wheels, not the differential or anything in the center.

Anybody have a clue as to what it could be? I was thinking U joints, but I can't check anything since I'm currently at school and don't have a garage or tools.

Mine did the same thing. Look at where the axle shaft comes out of the axle and goes into the wheel. There will bea UJoing there, grab close to the ujoint and try to turn the axle shaft back and forth, if there is play, then you have a bad axle shaft u joint. Kind of a pita to fix, not really complicated, just takes quite a bit of time. I am guessing that is your problem.

Sounds like a/the u-Joints are bad.

I was just about to ask this question. Do they need to be fixed before driving at all or?

Highly recommended to get them fixed. Can you drive it, yes.

Is there any write ups online? How hard off a fix is this?

Hmm.. Well I am about 250 miles from home, would it be stupid to drive home with broken U joints? Can it harm anything else? The problem is I don't have any place to work on the Jeep here.

For the Drive Shaft; http://www.mallcrawlin.com/forum/showthread.php?t=7478

U-Joints; http://www.myjeepxj.com/index.php?pa...nt-replacement

Good luck.

Bump for my question in post #7

Chances are they are not "broken" yet. The only real answer is just drive it easy & see how it goes.

And if they break will I lose steering on the highway?

No. U-Joints are not steering related. Only a part of the 4wd system.

Check this, http://www.2carpros.com/how_does_it_...oint_works.htm