I have a 95 Cherokee country with a manual transmission that makes a noticeable clunking noise in what sounds like the rear end, when i am stopped and in first gear or in reverse. It doesn't do it all the time, and it will clunk for a moment, i will release the clutch and then it will go away until i stop again.

Also at times it wont go into reverse, i have double pumped the clutch and that sometimes helps but even after its seated in reverse, without moving or letting the clutch out, and i pull it out of reverse and try to put it back into reverse it still grinds. I don't know if the two problems are related but i'm lost on this one and so is everyone i talk to so far. PLEASE, if you have any input i would love to hear it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Not sure about the clunking noise could be the u-joint's in the rear driveshaft your best bet would be is jack the rear up and spin the tires by hand and maybe you can point out the noise that way.......

Also i have the same grinding noise in my 5speed tranny so instead of just goin to reverse try putting it in 3rd gear then back to reverse and see if that helps any.......

 

Very cool. 3rd gear trick sounds like its working! U-joints are new. putting it on the lift in the morning. thanks

 

Sounds like two different problems. Your clutch slave or master may be trashed. Do you have to add fliud to it? check them for leaks. And the clunking.. check the U-joints if their solid then take the diff cover off and see whats going on in there.

 

Sounds like U-joints to me check them again.

 

does it clunk when you shift into other gears? if so then that is pretty normal for manual trans Jeeps

 

check your rear drum's

 

Does your rear drive shaft slip into the T-Case like on an automatic? If so try greasing the splines on the out-put shaft in the T-case. I used to have a real bad clunk and that took care of it for me. What happens is when you brake hard the drive shaft compresses, then when you release it expands, but with out the proper lubrication it doesn't happen smoothly resulting in a loud clunk.