Its time for the CLUNK!
Thread Starter
Seasoned Member
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 339
Likes: 4
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
Yeah, I searched the forums, found many things helpful.
So, it can be the U-Joints? And what else?
Here is what happens:
Whenever I put it in R from P, clunk! then, it doesn't do that anymore and goes fine backward no matter how you are with the accelerator.
Then when moving to D, from R, I can hear the clunk again, a tiny winy bit lounder this time... and again, it goes fine.. and doesn't clunk no matter how hard you push. So, what it could be? U-joints? How do I check if they are U-joints? Can i put in D and let it run when lifted up on a hydraulic lift in a service station, of course for checking purposes. And just for confirmation, what is the idle speed of the 4.0 i6 motor?
So, it can be the U-Joints? And what else?
Here is what happens:
Whenever I put it in R from P, clunk! then, it doesn't do that anymore and goes fine backward no matter how you are with the accelerator.
Then when moving to D, from R, I can hear the clunk again, a tiny winy bit lounder this time... and again, it goes fine.. and doesn't clunk no matter how hard you push. So, what it could be? U-joints? How do I check if they are U-joints? Can i put in D and let it run when lifted up on a hydraulic lift in a service station, of course for checking purposes. And just for confirmation, what is the idle speed of the 4.0 i6 motor?
Member
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 193
Likes: 0
From: Rochester NY
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0l
Your symphoms sound like the u-joint is bad and needs replaced. The reason you hear it more going from P to R and though the remaining gears is there is no torque on the drive shaft. There is a constant torque on the joint when the vehicle is in Reverse and Drive. The torque is released when the vehicle is in Neutral and Park. When you shift the jeep the torque converter puts pressure on the joint and you hear the clunk, which is the bearings moving in the joint. While you have it up on a lift, this is a good time to check many items, shocks. springs, muffler joints, bolts holding the transmission spacer block, grease fittings, tie rods, sway bar links. This only take and extra 5 min. to check.
CF Veteran
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,473
Likes: 9
From: Paso Robles Ca
Year: 1991
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
CF Veteran
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 7,874
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From: Northern Ontario, Canada
Year: 1990, 1999, 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
driveshaft u-joint should humm quite loudly on the highway.
but yeah, block the wheels, tranny in neutral with parking brake on and crawl under and grab the driveshaft in one hand, pinion in other and try to twist it for any play. you could also push it up and down to feel for any play that way too. should be none.
but for the 15 bux and a bit of time, change em out anyways.
but yeah, block the wheels, tranny in neutral with parking brake on and crawl under and grab the driveshaft in one hand, pinion in other and try to twist it for any play. you could also push it up and down to feel for any play that way too. should be none.
but for the 15 bux and a bit of time, change em out anyways.
Seasoned Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 436
Likes: 0
From: Bardstown, KY
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
Is your foot always on the brake when it clunks? Or maybe the better question is does it not clunk with your foot off the brake? If not, it could be worn caliper pins. Just something else to check...
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Thread Starter
Seasoned Member
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 339
Likes: 4
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
I checked it, U-joints were fine.. but it had no OIL in the transfer case? I haven't got time to fill up the transfer case, but could that sound be coming from the TC? I can't identify that alone


