I've just purchased a 1996 Cherokee (2WD, 4.0 ltr, auto trans) and have noticed that when starting out, the drive train engages a bit abruptly. It also has the same abruptness when I deaccelerate quickly, but not with a slow deceleration. I am guessing the U-joints are ready for retirement after 194K miles. Any thoughts?

BTW: I live in Cincinnati and had to go to Atlanta to find one that hadn't become a rust bucket. It was well worth the trip.

 

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Hi, Try putting it from drive to reverse with your foot on the brake and listen for a clunking noise, if so it could be a u-joint . Try also shaking the DS by hand for play...Tj