Hey everyone,

Since I got this jeep (4.5" rusty's lift, 31x10.5), I've gotten a strange sound / feel when taking off from a stop. It seems to me to be coming from the rear end, and I sort of feel it in my feet. I get some thunks and creeks when I hit the gas, and then it always goes away after a few seconds. I was going over ideas in my head, but I'd love some second opinions. I do know that the TC crossmember has a total of 3 bolts in it. I assume that the PO couldn't get the forth bolt post out. I know I need to fix this, but I'm wondering if this could be related (possibly giving me some play in the whole TC, Trans, DS assembly). Also, I was thinking possibly a U joint in the driveshaft?

Any ideas would be great,
Thanks!

P.S. I did all the brakes recently, so I don't think that dragging is any of the issue.

 

did you tune the rear drum gaps correctly. I did mine a little off once and it caused them to lock at first and need to break free (fixed it). U joint could be a possibility

 

X2 on the brake idea, my friend's cavalier had a problem with his rear drums popping like this

 

I didn't get the drums tuned, maybe that or new drums wouldn't be a bad idea.

 

Worn pinion bearing?

 

check your exhaust mounts... especially the one at the crossmember.. if its hanging just fine and its not broke/hitting anything else, check your tailpipe hanger...

btw, i ran my old 96xj for over a year with only the 3 bolts on the crossmember and never really had any issues..... I wouldn't be too hard pressed about it

 

Yeah the tuning is a B**************, Im the first to admid I suck at it. there are those horizontal oval rubber plugs on the diff side of the drum, you pop those out and need a tool like a flat head to spin a toothed cog to tune. this may not be it, but just throwing it out there man

 

I thought that those star wheels were supposed to automatically adjust.

 

They won't work if they aren't adjusted correctly initially.

 

I think the way to do it would be so support the unibody, block off the front end, secure the rear, remove rear tires, but it in N and transfercase neutral and spin the hubs until the star adjustment comes close or off of the drum,... but ya i was never much for it