What can I say, 2001 xj 4x4 sport100,000 miles. Shes all stock but has been wheeled hard.
Growling from the front end. Starts around 30 mph and peaks around 55.
I replaced my hubs pads rotors and caliper while searching for the noise/vibration.
Any help with this would be appreciated!!!

 

check differential oil.

 

maybe it's hungry?


jk....check diff oil, pull the cover check the side gears, spiders and bearings for wear

 

U joints - Check them both in the axle and the front driveshaft

Also like said above, check diff fluid level. What kind of wheeling do you do? If you go through deep water, you should change the fluid after every wheeling trip

 

Thanks for the info guys. Guess ill open the diff and replace u joints this weekend. Any tips?

 

Ok... I just put new u joints in the front axles and the sound/vibration has not changed.

Upon further inspection when I grab and shake the front drive shaft I have some play where it enters the front differential, could this be my problem??? Please help I'm getting tired of tearing this thing down.

 

If there's play at the yoke and not at the u-joint you could have worn pinion bearings. If your seal is not leaking you could buy a new pinion nut and tighten it to about 175 ft/lbs.