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Rear End Noise Low Speeds Please Help

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Old Jan 20, 2017 | 02:12 PM
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Default Rear End Noise Low Speeds Please Help

Okay so yes I have seen some write ups on problems that are similar to what I have going on with my XJ. However, none have been spot on to what is happening with mine.

The noise that I'm hearing/feeling is from the rear end but only after I have been driving for awhile. It sounds like a popping, groaning noise only when I'm turning at really low speeds. It doesn't matter if I'm accelerating or braking it makes the same noise in either case. This noise only happens from around 5 top 10 mph then it goes away.

It feels as if both tires are trying to spin at the same time and it will lurch forward if the front wheels are turned enough. The axle is a Dana 35.

I'm sorry if this has been covered a million times before I am new to this forum and this is actually the first time I have posted on any forum.

Thanks for any help.
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Old Jan 20, 2017 | 02:21 PM
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Do you have the factory open differential in there? How does the fluid level and condition look?
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Old Jan 20, 2017 | 02:51 PM
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Originally Posted by IJM
Do you have the factory open differential in there? How does the fluid level and condition look?
Opened it up and it looked fine in there... fluid was dirty but I replaced it. As for the diff I'm pretty sure its all stock. The guys before me just drove it as is.
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Old Jan 20, 2017 | 03:03 PM
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Have a look at the brakes, see if the ebrake cable has rusted and causing the shoes to drag
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Old Jan 20, 2017 | 03:06 PM
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Originally Posted by 97grand4.0
Have a look at the brakes, see if the ebrake cable has rusted and causing the shoes to drag
The Ebrake does seem loose.... it doesn't do anything when I pull it up. I'll try tightening that up then. I'll let you know if that works.
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Old Jan 20, 2017 | 03:58 PM
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Sounds like it has a locker in there. Were there still spider gears in the diff when you opened it up?
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Old Jan 20, 2017 | 04:08 PM
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Axle shaft u-joints
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Old Jan 20, 2017 | 04:37 PM
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Originally Posted by Ozmac619
The Ebrake does seem loose.... it doesn't do anything when I pull it up. I'll try tightening that up then. I'll let you know if that works.
"Loose" e brake wouldn't be the problem, its when the cable freezes up and tightens the brake shoes up that's the problem. Pull the drums, if they come off real hard and the shoes won't sit all the way down.. that's your first clue.
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Old Jan 20, 2017 | 05:54 PM
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Originally Posted by Jeepin'_Aint_EZ
Sounds like it has a locker in there. Were there still spider gears in the diff when you opened it up?
When I opened it up the gears looked okay but I didn't have it lifted off the ground so I couldn't spin the tires and inspect all of the gears. There was no debris at the bottom or anything. The guy before me was talking about a limited slip in the rear.
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Old Jan 20, 2017 | 06:00 PM
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Originally Posted by 97grand4.0
"Loose" e brake wouldn't be the problem, its when the cable freezes up and tightens the brake shoes up that's the problem. Pull the drums, if they come off real hard and the shoes won't sit all the way down.. that's your first clue.
I took the drums off and it was pretty easy to get them off.
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Old Jan 20, 2017 | 06:07 PM
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Do you have an LSD differential? How many miles? If so, i had similar grinding noise only when turning with my LSD.

Turned out the clutch pack was totally hosed and i mean hosed. Had to have the differential rebuilt professionally. Good for another 300k miles! lol
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Old Jan 20, 2017 | 06:08 PM
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Originally Posted by Turbo X_J
Axle shaft u-joints
In the front?? Why??
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Old Jan 20, 2017 | 08:02 PM
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Originally Posted by moparado
Do you have an LSD differential? How many miles? If so, i had similar grinding noise only when turning with my LSD.

Turned out the clutch pack was totally hosed and i mean hosed. Had to have the differential rebuilt professionally. Good for another 300k miles! lol
240xxx and I'm pretty sure it does but I'm pretty new to the axle game. But that is what I was thinking it was. I guess I can pull it apart again and is if thats it.
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Old Jan 20, 2017 | 09:12 PM
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Originally Posted by Ozmac619
In the front?? Why??
Does the steering wheel "fight back" when it's turned?
Originally Posted by Ozmac619
I'm pretty sure it does
When you stab the gas do both rear wheels spin?
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Old Jan 20, 2017 | 09:51 PM
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Originally Posted by Turbo X_J
Does the steering wheel "fight back" when it's turned?
No it doesn't fight back it just lurches forward and it feels like it just pushes through the front tires and I'm pretty sure when it is doing that both tires are spinning at the same time. (I noticed both tires spinning when I had a lovely assistant drive it through a turn.)
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