bostonbeater

Wtih 50 inches of snow on the ground I am having 4WD problems. Under load there is a loud poping / slipping that sounds like it is coming from the front end (an RPM dependent bang, bang, bang). I got under the pig and there seems to be a lot of play in the front drive shaft (video below). It doesn't seem like the slop is in the U-Joints because the transfer case and diff look like they are turning. Anyone experience this or know what I should check next?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=http:...?v=bd-w0VFJank

thundaluvin

Looks as though you may have knocked a tooth or two off of the gear. I would pull the cover and visually inspect it to either rule it out or verify that's your problem.

Cnwxj

I have the same symptoms. Pulled my front cover nothing. Put it up on jack stands and had my wife power brake it. Had some unholy noises at transfer case, chain stretched and is slipping.

thundaluvin

Very good possibility here too. I would suggest removing the front driveshaft, putting the whole jeep on jackstands, putting it in 4wd and wee if the noise stops. If so it's in the front diff, if not chances are your tcase needs some love.

freegdr

what are you running it in full time or part time you got the 242 tc case right the one with 4 gear selections on it no counting n as one

JeepingDan

I would like to know what year this XJ is and if it has a Vac disco D30.
Those are known to pop in and out of 4wd under load.

freegdr

his proflie state 88 but you never know

JeepingDan

Hmmm after digging through his posts he states he has a 99 he just picked up.
But nobody should have to do all that lol

bostonbeater

Thanks all. I got under there again this morning and I can hear the slop in the t-case when I wiggle the drive shaft. I am guess stretched or broken chain.

What I can't figure out is why the front diff allows that much slop? is it normal or does that mean the spider gears are busted too?

JeepingDan

IMO I'd pull the front diff cover off and have a look in there and check the axleshaft u-joints for play.

tannerp89

x2

bostonbeater

I pulled the front diff cover and everything looked good so I picked up a used transfer case at the junk yard for $150. Install was straight forward but did take about 5 hours. With the new (used) case I was able to tackle the next snow storm with no problems.

The initial noise sounded most like this cherokee in the video below.