ok so i have an 97 xj 4.0 auto... last trip i noticed that i was hearing a grinding noise from underneath... i changed out the tcase hoping that was it since it would only happen in 4 wheeldrive stoping or acclerating... still makes the same noise and was wondering if maybe the front diff is the problem? any ideas? thanks for help in advance...

 

which TC do you have?

 

np231...

 

I am having the same problem. I changed the diff fluid in the front and rear. The diffs looked good.

There are two other potential culprits.

1. The pinion bearings. I hope it is not these. I am moderately good at turning wrenches, but this is something that someone else would have to do and it seems expensive. I have read a lot about setting up gears and -- quite frankly -- I don't think I can do this.

2. Front hubs. I can do this. I hope it is this. I am finding it difficult to justify the expense, however, when I am not sure this is the problem. I don't mind spending the money if I were confident that this was my problem, but I am not.

Small screwup. I removed the front driveshaft about a week ago. Drove it around for about 20 minutes. It was difficult to tell anything and I was coming down with an illness and did the job half-butted. I should have left if off longer to really be able to know if there was a difference in the sound.

My expectations are that after removing the front drive shaft:

no difference in sound = front hubs
sound goes away = pinion bearings

I hope to get some feedback on this.

 

I'm having a similar problem but mine only clunks accelerating going forward and in reverse...once I get going everything seems fine but I'm afraid to use 4X4 much until I know for sure what it is...I can't afford to break this thing, I'm running out of operational vehicles to drive.

 

If it's just clunking and not grinding then I'd say u-joints. That tells me that when you get on it or go in reverse your joints and lose/bad and that's likely what's causing the clunking. Just something to look at.

 

are you driving on the road? or does it make this noise when offroading? np231 cant be used when on pavement/ dry road!

 

Have you checked the wheel bearings?


Yes.

 

Checked all the fluid, bearings, and joints...all seems well...had a friend get under it the other day and put it in 4x4 and he said that the clunking, sounded like it came from the transfer case... and I did do it on pavement

 

You may have stretched your tcase chain. I have never repaired a tcase chain, but there are several how-tos on the internet. You can even check youtube for video of a guy changing one in a dodge pickup. It should be the same tcase as your xj. You can also change the chain without removing the tcase from the vehicle. But, if you are going through the trouble of changing the chain, you may want to remove the tcase and overhaul it more completely.

 

Thanks for all the feedback to those that have replied...have narrowed the noise to the tcase by disconnecting the front driveshaft...hope its nothing serious