Hello,

As a newbie, I need your opinion on this:

My 1999 4WD I6, automatic cherokee developed a popping noise at the front. I only heard the noise while driving straightly. A mechanics said the noise is the transfer case!

I am really scared and I guess it will be a very expensive repair.

Could any of you tell me what is the wrong with transfercase, thanks.

 

it might not be your transfer case, could be ball joints or tie rod ends, a loose shock, go take a better look and get back to us

 

Could anyone tell me how to check the transfer case? Thanks.

 

Could also be the drive shaft ujoints if it is coming from the front of the tcase...

 

First the transfer case is just along for the ride unless you engage it with the lever. So the chain being stretched would have been making other noises up until this point that your popping started.
The only way that I know of to fully check a 231 or 242 transfercase involves disassembly. You can pull the fill plug and the drain plugs but it is a small hole to get much of a look inside from.
I would rule out other things like the frontend components first before I took the transfercase apart.

 

So I will check following things and drain/refill the transfercase

1. Control arm
2. Tire rod,
3. Shocks.

Anything else I should look? Thanks.

 

Yeah ball joints!!!

 

You can disconect the front drive saft from your transfer case and then locate where you hear the noise.

 

tracbar?

 

My chain was bad and as "BlueXJ" said its only going to make noise when in 4 wheel drive. I changed my chain in 2-3 hours while it was still on the jeep and its an easy job if it happens to be that, good luck...Tj

 

Control arm bushings!!! Get some polyurethane bushings and new control arms!

 

if you have a lift the transfer case may be vibrating so do a tc drop

 

How about some more info. please. What speed do you here it at? Do you also hear it while turning or just driving straight like you said? Does the noise change with speed or when turning? Do you hear it in 2HI, 4HI, 4LO or all of them? Do you hear it on smooth road, when going over bumps or both? I agree with the guys saying you should definitely rule out all of the other things this could be besides the TC like the front axle, suspension and driveshaft. Any one of those will be less expensive to fix or replace than a messed up TC.