How to check front end for play?
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 773
Likes: 1
From: Lapeer, Murder Mitten
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 I6
Jack stands under axle.
Turn tire back and forth, look for play @ axle joint.
Wiggle wheel top/bottom, side2side
Hold/watch Dshaft and do same.
Have some one turn Swheel b&f and watch for play
Turn tire back and forth, look for play @ axle joint.
Wiggle wheel top/bottom, side2side
Hold/watch Dshaft and do same.
Have some one turn Swheel b&f and watch for play
::CF Administrator::
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 14,479
Likes: 805
From: Blunt, South Dakota
Year: 97
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.6 stroker
Replace the worn part?
I'm going to suggest something for you. Get a FSM. (factory service manual) For your year, make and model.
http://www.pacificcoastmanuals.com/
This has everything you want to know and then some about your jeep. It will be the best $8 you ever spend on your rig.
The file is in PDF format, and you can print portions of whatever you want if you need a hard copy in the garage. Don't get a chiltons or hayes manual, they are garbage.
I'm going to suggest something for you. Get a FSM. (factory service manual) For your year, make and model.
http://www.pacificcoastmanuals.com/
This has everything you want to know and then some about your jeep. It will be the best $8 you ever spend on your rig.
The file is in PDF format, and you can print portions of whatever you want if you need a hard copy in the garage. Don't get a chiltons or hayes manual, they are garbage.
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 773
Likes: 1
From: Lapeer, Murder Mitten
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 I6
FYI, pops and creaks is most likely axle U-joints. Not bad if mechanicly inclined with decent tools. Probably pricey at a shop employing Ben Dover as a "tech"
CF Veteran
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 7,874
Likes: 100
From: Northern Ontario, Canada
Year: 1990, 1999, 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
don't put it on axle stands, you want the tires on the ground to stop the knuckles from turning so it puts more effort on the steering links while you have someone wiggle the wheel while you check for tre play.
check all tie rod ends, both ends of track bar including frame mount bolts.
as for u-joints, sometimes it's easier to grab each side of joint in your hands and twist opposite each other for looseness. it's easiest when in 2wd.
but that will only tell you if the needle bearings are toast, sometimes they get really tight and you can only tell when you pull a shaft.
then jack one tire up a couple inches and use a bar under the tire and lift up abruptly to check for ball joint play. as well, you can grab the wheel at 12 and 6 and wiggle for wheel bearing play. you can do it at 3 and 9, but you may feel tie rod play this way.
if you're still at a loss, take it to an alignment shop and get a free diagnosis then go home and fix it yourself if you feel comfortable enough.
check all tie rod ends, both ends of track bar including frame mount bolts.
as for u-joints, sometimes it's easier to grab each side of joint in your hands and twist opposite each other for looseness. it's easiest when in 2wd.
but that will only tell you if the needle bearings are toast, sometimes they get really tight and you can only tell when you pull a shaft.
then jack one tire up a couple inches and use a bar under the tire and lift up abruptly to check for ball joint play. as well, you can grab the wheel at 12 and 6 and wiggle for wheel bearing play. you can do it at 3 and 9, but you may feel tie rod play this way.
if you're still at a loss, take it to an alignment shop and get a free diagnosis then go home and fix it yourself if you feel comfortable enough.
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::CF Administrator::
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 14,479
Likes: 805
From: Blunt, South Dakota
Year: 97
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.6 stroker
don't put it on axle stands, you want the tires on the ground to stop the knuckles from turning so it puts more effort on the steering links while you have someone wiggle the wheel while you check for tre play.
check all tie rod ends, both ends of track bar including frame mount bolts.
as for u-joints, sometimes it's easier to grab each side of joint in your hands and twist opposite each other for looseness. it's easiest when in 2wd.
but that will only tell you if the needle bearings are toast, sometimes they get really tight and you can only tell when you pull a shaft.
then jack one tire up a couple inches and use a bar under the tire and lift up abruptly to check for ball joint play. as well, you can grab the wheel at 12 and 6 and wiggle for wheel bearing play. you can do it at 3 and 9, but you may feel tie rod play this way.
if you're still at a loss, take it to an alignment shop and get a free diagnosis then go home and fix it yourself if you feel comfortable enough.
check all tie rod ends, both ends of track bar including frame mount bolts.
as for u-joints, sometimes it's easier to grab each side of joint in your hands and twist opposite each other for looseness. it's easiest when in 2wd.
but that will only tell you if the needle bearings are toast, sometimes they get really tight and you can only tell when you pull a shaft.
then jack one tire up a couple inches and use a bar under the tire and lift up abruptly to check for ball joint play. as well, you can grab the wheel at 12 and 6 and wiggle for wheel bearing play. you can do it at 3 and 9, but you may feel tie rod play this way.
if you're still at a loss, take it to an alignment shop and get a free diagnosis then go home and fix it yourself if you feel comfortable enough.
Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 180
Likes: 0
From: Washington
Year: 1993
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
don't put it on axle stands, you want the tires on the ground to stop the knuckles from turning so it puts more effort on the steering links while you have someone wiggle the wheel while you check for tre play.
check all tie rod ends, both ends of track bar including frame mount bolts.
as for u-joints, sometimes it's easier to grab each side of joint in your hands and twist opposite each other for looseness. it's easiest when in 2wd.
but that will only tell you if the needle bearings are toast, sometimes they get really tight and you can only tell when you pull a shaft.
then jack one tire up a couple inches and use a bar under the tire and lift up abruptly to check for ball joint play. as well, you can grab the wheel at 12 and 6 and wiggle for wheel bearing play. you can do it at 3 and 9, but you may feel tie rod play this way.
if you're still at a loss, take it to an alignment shop and get a free diagnosis then go home and fix it yourself if you feel comfortable enough.
check all tie rod ends, both ends of track bar including frame mount bolts.
as for u-joints, sometimes it's easier to grab each side of joint in your hands and twist opposite each other for looseness. it's easiest when in 2wd.
but that will only tell you if the needle bearings are toast, sometimes they get really tight and you can only tell when you pull a shaft.
then jack one tire up a couple inches and use a bar under the tire and lift up abruptly to check for ball joint play. as well, you can grab the wheel at 12 and 6 and wiggle for wheel bearing play. you can do it at 3 and 9, but you may feel tie rod play this way.
if you're still at a loss, take it to an alignment shop and get a free diagnosis then go home and fix it yourself if you feel comfortable enough.
x2 Great advise
CF Veteran
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 7,874
Likes: 100
From: Northern Ontario, Canada
Year: 1990, 1999, 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
i always check my axle joints while on the ground. like i said, in 2wd, grab shafts on each side of joint and twist. trust me, you will feel it.
it may work on stands too, but won't feel the same.
it may work on stands too, but won't feel the same.
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