Hey guys, i've got a 99 XJ, 4.0 L, 4x4, AX-15 5-spd. manual. Had it about 2 1/2 years. And for as long as i've owned it, there has always been a a clunk in the driveline somewhere. You can feel it at its worst when shifting, and when you let off the gas for a second and hit the gas again. There's definitely slop/play somewhere in the driveline, but I have no idea what else it could be. I have replaced the rear driveshaft u-joints, and the trans. mount, flushed the fluid in the tranny and axles. Seemed to slightly reduce it, but not much! Anyone else ever experienced this problem or have any ideas what it could be? Thanks in advance!

 

Greased the slip yoke?

Rear axle loose? Or shocks?

 

Google 'Chrysler Clunk'.

It could be the play in the yoke before the gears engage.

 

X2 on slip yoke. Also check the u-joints whilst you're under there

 

Does the clunk happen ONLY when the shifting and when letting off the gas and hitting it again? I ask because I had a clunk that I couldn't find for more than a year. Last weekend while wheeling I finally found it. It was my exhaust pipe hitting my transmission mount! Don't just check driveline components, check everything. Remember that your engine moves around a bit and your exhaust piping along with it, especially when shifting and playing with the gas!

 

Thanks for all the replies! I have greased the slip-yoke! I'll go under the jeep and check everything again, and i'll google "chrysler clunk" like you said! And yes, its only clunks when shifting or getting on and off the gas (when something seems to be moving around with play in it). Under power there is no clunk, but i'll still check everything!

 

Update-

Checked the rear suspension, a few things were loose, got them tightened down, driveshaft u-joints+ bolts at the differential yoke are tight. Clunk is still there

 

You mention the tranny mount but have you taken a look at the motor mounts? If one (or usually both) of those are worn out or torn they could allow things to shift around when torque is applied/released. When my motor mounts went, the exhaust would shift and hit things whenever I gave it gas. The tranny mount was toast too so there was a lot of shifting around going on under there until I replaced those. They were a lot easier to replace than I had expected on the 4.0/AW4 too.

If you take a look at the motor mounts and the rubber looks all dry and cracked, or you can see gaps in the bracket/bushing then they are probably shot. If so, you will be able to see the motor move/twist around if you rev it a little (with the hood open). I put new poly mounts in and it doesn't move at all now.

 

I have revved it with the hood open, it seems to hold tight. But, i have never examined them closely. So, i'll check that again, and see how those motor mounts look.

 

Get a good look at the mounts. The horizontal bolt should be about dead center in them.

Also, is your trans mount all oily? Bolts tight in it?

See if your exhaust pipe is contacting the crossmember.

 

Check and make sure your axle u-bolts are tight, if not this may cause a lot of flex = clunk This happen to me after a day on some tuff trails.