ishkapiddle

I have a 1992 cherokee 4.0 4x4. The front drivers side tire makes a thumping/grinding noise whenever I corner and for a short while after the corner or whenever i go over bumps. I know the shocks are bad also the rubbers on the sway link bar are shot. Can anyone tell me what the problem may be? I dont want to just be changing out parts hoping the next one will fix the problem. Thanks for and help.

BuckB91XJ

The thumping noise is definitely your sway bar bushings being worn out. If you're only getting the grinding/jumping when going around corners, you have a bad steering knuckle U-joint. If your wheel bearing was bad, you would get the grinding noise all the time. Usually when a knuckle U-joint goes bad you will get a popping noise in corners also. Are you getting that?

ishkapiddle

It doesn't sound like a poping. Just a thumping noise. I can feel it in the floor with my other foot. It does start to shimmy when I get to about 55 but once I reach 60 it doesn't do it as bad. The shimmy is an off and on while I'm on the highway. It shimmys a few seconds then stops and then shimmys again. Once I get below 55 it stops.

BuckB91XJ

I still think you should start out by checking your steering knuckle U-joints on both sides. Reach inboard of the tire and wheel assembly. Where you can see the axle come out of the axle tube and to the U-joint and then the spindle out from that. Shake the axle pieces on both sides of the U-joint. If you can wiggle them AT ALL, the U-joint is bad.

ishkapiddle

Should I do this while it is jacked up or while just sitting on the ground? I shoock both sides on the driver side and passenger side and didn't feel or see any movement but did hear a faint ticking noise but couldn't see any movement.

New2Jeeps42

should matter, if the car is jacked up or not, if you can spin the axel side of the ujoint knuckle at all, the ujoint is bad, try both sides. if you hear a ticking or the slightest tick it could be a sign that the ujoints cap or caps are going?

ishkapiddle

I change the sway links and shocks in the front end. Still got the grind sound. I checked the Rear Axle and it was a little low on oil. Filled it. I will check the transfer case tomorrow to see if it is low. The wheel spins when it is jacked up but no noise.