i have a stalk 2001 cherokee 4.0
the last week i have had a rattling/squeaking sound coming from the mid to rear of the car. it does NOT do it in park, neutral, or with rpms. it starts once i hit 20-25 mph. if i shift into neutral and coast it still does it and slows down as the car slows but once it hits 20 mph it goes away. once the car is warmed up it doesnt do it any more. it sounds just like a muffler coming apart but that doesnt make sense to me because it only does it while moving. it does have a limited slip diff, could the diff need rebuilt??
if you have any advice i would appreciate it.

 

Start by crawling underneath and looking over everthing checking to make sure everything is tightened down tight and checking to make sure nothing is cracked or broken and go from there.

 

^^agreed. Couldn't have said it better. Make sure all of your bolts are tight, nothings loose or cracked.

 

2 or 4 wd? Is the trans/ t case mount broken? When you accelerate under load it could be moving and causing the issue. While stopped or slow speed there is not enough movement to cause the noise.

 

sounds like a cat. coming apart from the inside has baffles on the inside that tend to seperate

 

It is a 4x4. I looked for anything broke or loose, and had a buddy poke around and we didnt see anything. i thought it could b the cat or the muffler coming apart but it seems wierd it would do it coasting in neutral but not do it in park?? sound like it would b in drivetrain?? when i bought it i was told the trans mount might need to be replaced. what would the symptoms of a broken mount be? and why would it go away when it warms up?

 

If the was no broken mounts and your u joints are solid you may just kinda wana look at the tires, would make more of a vibration at low speeds causing soemthing loose to wiggle and make noise. when tires warm up they become softer making the possible lump less noticeable so drive it and see if its just a noise or a small shake or wobble.

 

I vote cat internals. try tapping it with you hand while its cool of course, if stuff rattles around in there, time to replace it.