DirtWaterAltitude

Hi everyone,

Just got back from a Moab trip . . . crawled around Sevenmile Rim, Klondike Bluffs 4x4, and Fins and Things.

Whenever I was climbing up a steep section (dirt/rocks or sandstone), my XJ was making a weird knocking noise repeatedly (about once a second) until I made it up to the top and flattened out. At the beginning of the trip, I got stuck on a ledge at the top and the noise started to get a lot faster. I dropped it into neutral to get to a better spot and it stopped so I put it back in 1 (automatic) and got up the hill (pretty crazy moment I thought my transmission was going to die in the worst possible moment on the first harder climb of the trip).

Additionally, I feel a similar knock when I push down on the gas pedal when coming out of a stop or moderate acceleration.

I read on the Extremely Common XJ Problems thread it could be that the slip yoke needs to be greased (I will defintiely do that first): https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f59/yo...x-them-135869/

Would that cause the climbing issue though? It kind of feels like something is banging on the floor pan of the drivers side or somewhere near it.

Thanks!

-Kendrick

Firehawk068

I could almost gaurantee that it's your motor mount(s)
Mine did the same thing when they went bad...........I drove it like that for about a year before I changed them........

Firestorm500

Checked your motor mounts lately?

caged

don't forget your trans mount either...

it could also be your chain slipping.

DirtWaterAltitude

Well I must get points for the dumbest question of the day award . . . the drivers side mount is really corroded and the rubber center that keeps it in place is pretty much gone.

Do you think this is the problem? Or just something I should fix regardless. Thank you very much!







Corroded Motor Mount Drivers Side





Close Up of Corroded Motor Mount

DirtWaterAltitude

Thanks! I will check there too.

Firestorm500

Replace both engine motor mounts first. Then see what happens.

Firehawk068

Your clunk is coming from the driver side motor mount...............
when the engine torques up, since the rubber is mostly gone, the metal sleeve is hitting the strap that surrounds it........

DirtWaterAltitude

Here is a good video on how to replace the mounts:

DirtWaterAltitude

You guys are awesome, thank you! I will replace both mounts to be safe and check out the trans mount as well. Doesn't look like too bad of a job . . . unless my bolts break (due to rust) like they seem to like to do.

frantic29

Just going to throw this out there. Get a Brown Dog super kit and put in it. I know it's a lot more money but when you pull them out of the box you'll immediately feel good about spending the money. Make sure you replace your trans mount while you at it.

DirtWaterAltitude

Thanks frantic29. I actually ended up ordering the Brown Dog MM. I just got the polyurethane ones. I read they rattle a little but my XJ already has a bunch of rattling going on so I figured one more noise can't hurt. I also bought an OEM trans mount, Brown Dog told me with my set up (4.5" lift, 32" tires) an OEM trans mount would be fine.

I am going to install them on Friday most likely. Hopefully the bolts aren't too rusted and break off!!! I am slowly replacing one bolt at a time. I also got all new through bolts so that should make it even stronger.

Thanks for the idea!