I have an 87 4WD XJ. Today, the front end started having this weird kind of feeling. Almost like the front two tires were flat and slipping on small rocks. Doesn't seem to happen in reverse. Can't tell if it doesn't happen or just not as bad in neutral. Does it at slow speed up to 35mph. Haven't tried it on faster yet.

It's not surging or slipping. Hasn't done anything like this before. The only other thing that has happened recently was the tilt wobble started about a week ago. I don't think that would relate to this at all from what I've read.

Could this be the transmission? transfer case? Any ideas?

What other kind of info would be helpful?

Thanks!

This isn't very descriptive.

Check all front suspension and steering components for play.

It seems to be getting rapidly worse. I drove it across town (10 miles) to the transmission shop that was supposed to be open on Saturday's (but wasn't). While driving it over it started to feel more like a transmission issue. However, on the way back home it was vibrating very badly at low speeds and didn't improve much as I increased speed. Thinking it may be a different issue.

Can the "death wobble" happen at low speeds? When start out from stop, it goes just a few feet and then starts to feel like driving over a big washboard and the acceleration is slower. I've also heard some new noises that sound like pings on metal to the side.

Any ideas?

Something in the front is loose or broken.

You really need to get under your Jeep and look around to see whats loose and keep it off the road if it's that bad before you wreck and hurt yourself or others. Just start moving all the front end part to see what have a lot of play in it.

I looked underneath but couldn't find anything broken or loose. Doesn't mean it's not there, but just not finding it. I drove it to my mechanic that's about 3 miles away. On the way there it shot a big black puff of smoke out the back. Sounded like something fell out but it didn't. I'll let the mechanic deal with it for now.

Thanks for everyone's comments!

I hope that they find your problem and not cost you an arm and a leg for it.
Let us know what they find.
Good Luck.

Sounds like ur alxe joints are bad(not drive shaft but axle joints)
About $20 each x 2,at advance auto. But u will have to pull brakes,wheel bearing, and front axle to replace. Recommend you put new wheel bearings in those run about $90 each x 2 for moogs!!! Good luck!!!!!!

sounds more like engine issue than drivetrain...

Well I took it in to the mechanic yesterday expecting the worst and here is what he found: The distributor was really loose.

Don't know how that happened. He said he hadn't really seen that before but when he repositioned it a little and tightened it up, everything worked great again.

Thanks for everyone's help.

lol! Awesome description skills!

Indeed.