2000 XJ np231

 

Cheak u joints .....

 

x2

I had really bad u joints on the jeep when I bought it, sounded similar. It's not 100% but very easy to check....

 

I agree with the above posts, pull the rear driveshaft and check the ujoints for play. in 2wd it shouldn't be coming from the tcase. the only thing that would make a nosie like that inside the tcase would be the chain popping and that is disengaged when the jeep is in 2wd.

If the rear driveshaft ujoints seem OK pull the front one, even though there is no power going to it in 2wd it is still turning as you drive.

 

It sounds like the chain is dragging on the tcase housing to me. Stretched chain. Time for a new one.

 

The chain is moving when ever you're driving because of what you said in your second paragraph.

I would agree with the previous suggestions, check the u-joints, and if they're good, pull the back off the t-case and check the chain. Personally, I would suspect the chain more, but the u-joints are easier to check first!

 

check front drive shaft its right under shifter rear u joints would be furthur back by e brake handle, front shaft spins when ever vechicle moves 4wd or not.

 

moving yes, under tension, no.

 

chain dragging on the case makes a "shhhhhhhh" grinding type sound, not a pop. a tcase makes popping noises when a stretched chain skips teeth on the gears, which would not happen unless it was put under load (in 4wd not 2wd)

i've seen a chain left dragging on a case so long it wore a hole all the way through the case, i can't believe the owner told me they never heard it making a sound.

 

If the chain is stretched enough in a localized spot or a link is partially broken so that it doesn't mesh onto the sprockets smoothly it can make a popping noise regardless if it's under load or not.

Either way, we've given the OP a few good points to check out. No point in beating a dead horse until he checks them and reports back!

 

It was stuck in between 2 and 4wd. took linkage off and shifted with hand. now i just need a new linkage because its bent; thats why it took forever to get out of 4wd

 

Good find. If you've driven it much like that (might be a good idea even if you haven't) I would recommend draining the fluid and checking for metal. There's a magnet in the base of the t-case to collect steel so you might have to look in the drain hole with a light and see if you have anything in the bottom. Better safe than sorry.

 

yea, ill change the fluid. The guy i got it from never greased the wheel joints and they busted on me so i doubt he changed the tc fluid.