knocking noise from front
 

Hey guys, I just bought this 95 Cherokee SE. 2.5L, 5 speed manual. The truck runs and drives great, however when I engage the four wheel drive I hear a knocking sound as I am driving forward that continues until I come to a stop. only makes the noise in forward not reverse. So yesterday I removed and inspected the front driveshaft thinking maybe u joints but they seemed fine and tight. Has anyone else experienced this noise and is there a way to test the axle u joints?

Thanks for any advice.
Chris

Since the front shaft is out lift the front tires off the ground and check for play when you move the tire back and forth.

I take it the clicking persisted when you drove with the front shaft gone?

Just throwing this out there I had the same issue at one time and for me it ended up being the motor mount best I can figure the added torque of being in 4 wheel was allowing the slop in said mount to give way where daily driving was not reverse did not do this because it was my driver side mount that was bad so when in reverse a combination of weight and torque force would hold it securely to the frame opposed to forward where it kept trying to lift from the frame and banging around inside the mount... sorry so long winded just trying to be thorough

Actually no the noise went away with the shaft removed, however I think that the torque of being in four wheel drive does it. Drove a short distance with shaft removed in both 2 and 4 whelk drive... No noise. Which leads me to think something in the shaft or front axle

Its prolly not in the front axle, its probably the shaft.

With the front shaft removed the axle shafts still spin, and will click if ujoints are bad.

Did not consider motor mounts, but its worth looking into. thanks

Yea, I am starting to lean towards the shaft again too. Is it sensible to have the u joints replaced or easier to just buy a new shaft? of course I want to do what is cost effective as well..lol

so.... went to have new U joints pressed into the front shaft only to find that the cv is beyond repair! Any advice as to where I can buy a new shaft reasonably? Just looking for something stock that works