I recently purchased this 87 cherokee, it has a 3.5 inch lift with 2 inch spacer/blocks and runs 33's. So far, driving it around town in 2wd it does just fine. But this morning, I drove in 4h for the first time (for any real distance) and I found that I keep getting a loud CLUNK coming from the front axle. It doesnt do it until I reach about 30ish and above and even then it's random, but it feels almost like something is slipping and then catching again and it gives a nice jolt. Has anyone experienced this before? Could it have something to do with the vacuum disconnect? Its a high pinion vacuum d30. Perhaps something in the diff moving around, I dont know. Any suggestions before I tear the thing apart for possibly no reason?

 

U joint... thats what Mine was. the little flimsy ones on the front axles. Get spicers when you replace them. The autozone cheapies break if you actually have to use them.

Im not 100% sure of course but that sounds like what mine did.

 

yeah I suspect those. Just jack up the front and see if you can note any play at the cardan joints. Also inspect the ones on the driveshaft. If not just keep looking; ball joints, wheel bearing, etc... who knows until you check it out.

 

Thats kind of a relief, I usually expect worst case scenerio in these cases. I'll pull it in the garage tonight after work and inspect it. Thanks!