i have an 87 xj when i bought it a few months ago it made a little noise/ clucnk when truning left or right. i recently installed an aussie locker and when wheeling. now i have the same clucnk that happens sometimes as i turn lock to lock feels like something is moving under my feet.
also now as i turn full lock right the wheel starts to clunk and thump around. not as bad full lock right.

i looked at it while a friend was turning the wheel. looks as if the axel is moving a little... bar track bar mount??

it was recently alligned and held the toe setting. drives stright. camber and castor were off.

what ccould it be.?? anything will help.....
how do i test diffrent parts??

 

Dude, you straight up have a bad axle U-joint. If the rig has high miles you'd better change them on both sides as a set.

 

X2

 

yep sounds just like mine and it's definitely bad u-joints.

 

had the same prob... no joke. its you axle turning U-joints. jcwhitney has some great greasable ones. never have to buy new one if you keep them greased.

 

thanks for the help. will be on that this weekend

 

I'm going to look at a Cherokee today, a 97, that has a described clunk when turning, especially when turning to lock. The guy lists it as a CV-Joint needing replacement but I'm under the impression that Cherokees didn't use CV-joints on the front axle shafts as per a mechanic friend. So, this is most likely a U-Joint problem I'm experiencing then? I checked JC Whitney but I'm unsure which U-Joint I need. I have no problem tearing into this and replacing it myself, but I'm not exactly sure of the process. I have the Chilton manual but it leaves quite a bit to be desired.

Any help would be appreciated!

Thanks,
Nate

 

yea, that would be a good idea..it can be ugly when one of those axle u-joints goes bad...when it happened to my friend in his XJ while wheeling, it destroyed the axle shaft too..

 

Oh and sorry for hijacking the thread-I just had the interest of keeping the place uncluttered by not posting anew with the same issue.

-Nate

 

I noticed the same noises the other day. Is it a good idea to replace the back too? And how much $$$ we talking?

 

From JC whitney they look to be under $20 each. And they look pretty tough too. I test drove the thing...they are BAD on this vehicle but it was in damn good shape. They're so bad that they start to knock and the wheel actually locked up for a second and then spun again. I'm afraid it'll need a new axle but it was still worth it, especially from the region I'm in.