Sounds like it's the double cardan joint in the front driveshaft.

 

Wow, haven't thought about this in awhile...


Yeah, it ended up being the double cardan joint in the front driveshaft. Took it in to a good mechanic and he diagnosed it immediately. He replaced it and all was good.

 

To be more specific, it's the centering ball. Whenever rebuilding the front driveshaft with new ujoints, always do the centering ball. It's a giant PITA but prevents the bird chirping sound from happening.

 

Yup... something I didn't know when I did my front u-joints. I considered doing it myself but the mechanic already had it off and apart... and he had the right tools to do the job, I didn't :P so gave him the cash and that godawful sound was gone.

 

I am getting the same chirping noise in my 89 XJ and plan on temporarily removing the front drive shaft tomorrow just to confirm if noise is coming from the double cardan.
There is also noticeable vibration at speeds above 55 mph and it's not coming from the tires or wheels.

Hopefully the front drive shaft from my spare part donor 90 XJ will fit the 89 even though the transfer cases are different (NP 242 in 89 and NP 231 in the 90)?


Couple of questions I would like to ask:

Are you saying to replace just the ball only, or replace the socket yoke (centering yoke) assembly which comes with the ball?
How about the opposing part, where the ball centers on the opposite side?
I don't think the ball is available just by itself?

 

Should be the same length, assuming they're both 4.0l engines and the same transmission. The AW4 shaft will be about 1" longer.
https://www.naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=1118885

 

Thank you, yes they both have 4.0L and AW4

 

Update:
Removed the front driveshaft today and there is no doubt, the chirping noise was coming from the center ball in the double cardan joint! The U-joints seem to be still pretty good, but the ball was bone dry and squeaks when the joint moves. The center yoke grease fitting is kind of hard to find and access unless you know what to look for, so the previous owner must have skipped it altogether.
Oh well, it lasted over 190,000 miles.

Time to order a new center yoke and U-joints!

 

I went mudding recently, after I got back to town my front tires started to squeel at a low tone, but it's been about a month and the sound has gotten alot louder, it only squeals really loud when I'm pressing on the trotter, when I'm coasting doesn't make a sound, I can feel some grinding on my shearing wheel as its happening, when I turn after driving for 20+minutes i can hear a loud clanking sound coming from both sides. I dont have the money to take it into a shop to get looked at lol, I'd like some details as to what it could be. I dont want my brakes or anything to fry off as I'm on the highway lmao. My jeeps a 1999 jeep grand cherokee, limited.

 

it could be any rotating part in the front end

first course of action jack the truck, get under, and preferably with an assistant, examine them all, while rotating them and turning the steering wheel

prime suspects include wheel bearings, uni joints, front driveshaft, brake parts

 

Yeh, my dad said it could be a wheel bearing based off what he was hearing. Thank you! I just don't want it to get any worse.

 

unfortunately, that is one thing I can assure you of...it WILL get worse

whilst this can simplify the diagnostic process, if any of these parts fail while driving, it will be a breakdown situation

if you have been off-roading, check that piece of branch is not wedged up in there, had that happen before

 

Also check you don't have rocks or debris caught behind the brake dust shield and scraping against the rotor. btdt a few times.

 

If it's a GRAND, the front brakes are totally different. Check with the guys on ZJ, WJ, WK section.