Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here XJ (84-01)
All OEM related XJ specific tech. Examples, no start, general maintenance or anything that's stock.

Mechanic says "Front axle is grinding"

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 10-17-2017, 10:18 PM
  #31  
CF Veteran
 
CurrySoSpicy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: York PA
Posts: 2,929
Likes: 0
Received 5 Likes on 5 Posts
Year: 2001
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 Litre I6
Default

Originally Posted by fb97xj1

I get mine at HF for cheap. I have at least 3 of them. Makes life easier.
Old 10-18-2017, 07:43 AM
  #32  
CF Veteran
 
00t444e's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Southern OH
Posts: 3,603
Received 456 Likes on 369 Posts
Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee(XJ)
Engine: 4.0
Default

Those pumps take for ever, its not that hard to pour it in from the bottle.
Old 10-18-2017, 08:44 AM
  #33  
CF Veteran
 
CurrySoSpicy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: York PA
Posts: 2,929
Likes: 0
Received 5 Likes on 5 Posts
Year: 2001
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 Litre I6
Default

Originally Posted by 00t444e
Those pumps take for ever, its not that hard to pour it in from the bottle.
Old 10-18-2017, 07:14 PM
  #34  
Senior Member
 
67 GMC's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Fort Erie, CANADA
Posts: 925
Received 5 Likes on 4 Posts
Year: 1987
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

I assume you have basic garage tools and jack stands. If you do, jack up the front of your jeep and put the jack stands under it so you can freely rotate the wheels. I bet the grinding is the hub or u-joints and not the differential/steering. If you do hear the noise when the wheels are turning, check out several youtube videos on replacing u-joints wheel hubs etc.
Old 10-19-2017, 05:37 PM
  #35  
Member
 
Pigeon's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Rogers County, Oklahoma
Posts: 230
Received 8 Likes on 7 Posts
Model: Cherokee
Default

Originally Posted by fb97xj1

Be prepared to cycle that pump 200 + times to fill a differential. They are sllllooooowwwww....

I'm talking about the 'Quart and Gallon Fluid Pump'.

Last edited by Pigeon; 10-19-2017 at 05:39 PM. Reason: Clarification
Old 10-19-2017, 11:15 PM
  #36  
Senior Member
 
jedijeb's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Dawson Springs, KY
Posts: 780
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Year: 1985
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 2.5L
Default

Just get some vinyl tubing from Lowe's for cheap that will fit on the tip of the bottle that is about a foot long. Then you can just squeeze it in until full.

To drain the diff I remove all but the top bolt, which I loosen to almost removing it, then use a screw driver or putty knife to pop the bottom of the cover lose, and let it drain into a wide plastic tub or the wide round oil collection pan/container you can get at any auto parts store. I leave the top bolt in so it doesn't fall into the pan when it pops off.

After you clean the mating surfaces, just put some black RTV silicon on the diff sealing surface, the top bolt through the cover and start that, then press the cover on and start putting the bolts in. I usually cross torque the bolts to make sure the cover fits nice and flat. Use the tube to fill it up and replace the plug and you are done.
Old 10-22-2017, 10:11 AM
  #37  
Senior Member
 
'90Cherokee's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Hacienda Heights
Posts: 603
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

The only thing I'd change is to use Permatex Right Stuff instead of silicone, that stuff is great.
Old 10-26-2017, 11:55 PM
  #38  
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
JerpCherooke's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Illinois
Posts: 71
Received 6 Likes on 3 Posts
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4L
Default

Alright. The noise seems to be getting a little worse. By that I mean I can hear it at higher speeds than before.

This is a shot in the dark, but I took a video to try and record the noise. You can't hear it very well, but you can kind of tell it isn't constant and seems to kind-of happen randomly. I was going in a straight line around 40 mph during the video.

Old 10-27-2017, 10:15 AM
  #39  
Senior Member
 
'90Cherokee's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Hacienda Heights
Posts: 603
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

The only thing I notice sounds more like a rattle than grinding.
Old 10-27-2017, 11:03 AM
  #40  
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
JerpCherooke's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Illinois
Posts: 71
Received 6 Likes on 3 Posts
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4L
Default

Originally Posted by '90Cherokee
The only thing I notice sounds more like a rattle than grinding.
Lol my friend said the same thing. Maybe a rattle is a better way to describe it. But it does sound like it's coming from the axle area.
Old 10-27-2017, 11:05 AM
  #41  
CF Veteran
 
Bugout4x4's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Arizona
Posts: 4,481
Likes: 0
Received 16 Likes on 12 Posts
Year: 97
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

Originally Posted by JerpCherooke
Lol my friend said the same thing. Maybe a rattle is a better way to describe it. But it does sound like it's coming from the axle area.
Well...in that case have you checked the shock bushings?
Old 10-28-2017, 07:41 AM
  #42  
Senior Member
 
jedijeb's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Dawson Springs, KY
Posts: 780
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Year: 1985
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 2.5L
Default

U-Joints can also make a similar sound if they are wore bad enough. Also motor mounts, and any other bushing under there. Also maybe grab the middle of the front drive shaft and push it up and down and see if it is wore where the two halves slide together.
Old 10-28-2017, 08:01 AM
  #43  
::CF Administrator::
 
Rogue4x4's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Blunt, South Dakota
Posts: 14,465
Received 770 Likes on 524 Posts
Year: 97
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.6 stroker
Default

Originally Posted by '90Cherokee
The only thing I'd change is to use Permatex Right Stuff instead of silicone, that stuff is great.
I used to use that stuff too. It is pretty awesome.

Then I got the Lube Locker gaskets, and don't need any of that stuff anymore. Well worth the price.
Old 10-28-2017, 09:57 AM
  #44  
Senior Member
 
'90Cherokee's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Hacienda Heights
Posts: 603
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

Get under there and start looking & feeling around. Take a crescent wrench with you. Control arms, shocks, driveshafts, skid plates, engine/trans mounts, etc. Look, push/yank on everything and put the wrench to every bolt you can find to make sure nothing's loose. Be careful trying to torque stuff down with the crescent, better to use a proper tool, it's just an easy handy tool to check stuff out with. Look at all the suspension bushings, that's where I'm guessing it's coming from.
Old 10-28-2017, 11:11 AM
  #45  
CF Veteran
 
CurrySoSpicy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: York PA
Posts: 2,929
Likes: 0
Received 5 Likes on 5 Posts
Year: 2001
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 Litre I6
Default

Originally Posted by '90Cherokee
Get under there and start looking & feeling around. Take a crescent wrench with you. Control arms, shocks, driveshafts, skid plates, engine/trans mounts, etc. Look, push/yank on everything and put the wrench to every bolt you can find to make sure nothing's loose. Be careful trying to torque stuff down with the crescent, better to use a proper tool, it's just an easy handy tool to check stuff out with. Look at all the suspension bushings, that's where I'm guessing it's coming from.
Crescent wrench aka a nut lathe

Lol



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:54 PM.