I am trying to track down noisy 4wd action.
96 Jeep Cherokee Auto, Np 231 J 2:72 ratio
I have been wanting to put this XJ back on the road. When I am in 4wd hi or Low I hear a creaking as the vehicle rotates. More noticeable when I 4 Lo.
It does great in 2wd.
I changed the front axle as my pinion seal was leaking with excess play in the pinion. I thought this would be the fix.
I still have the same noises. I drained my tranfer case oil to give a look.
A little darker than standard ATF. But was odd is the top fill bolt surprised me as a lot of fluid came out. I always thought this was the fill / full indicator.
How could the PO fill the transfercase above the fill hole?
I then drained the lower and no metal shavings or any thing odd.
I adjusted my shift linkage as before it would pop out of 4Lo. I took it for another test run with fresh fluid. Still creaking as with rotation.
Could this be the front joint at the transfer case? I have been reading and searching. Could the cardon joint make noise under load when in 4wd but not in 2wd?

 

Not too sure what could be causing this but I do have an Automatic trans and transfer case laying around if you're interested in either or both

 

I'm not sure on the noise but I have seen trans fluid migrate to the t-case when the t-case input seal gets bad. My friends wifes rig does this. He adds a bit to the trans to top it off and pulls the fill plug on the t-case to drain the extra. Call it a long term flush.

 

X2 on the seal being bad.

 

Wow that's crazy, I had my oversize pan under the transfer and it stilled spewed out. I was shocked. Out of curiosity I checked the trans fluid to see if it went down. It was still the same.
SO now this makes me think could to much fluid in the transfer case be a bad thing?

 

I have been searching my local CL adds. Thinking of picking up another parts Jeep. (Wife hates me when I ask)
Wish you were closer to the middle of U.S.
I think I will remove the front drive shaft and try again to see how much noise it makes.

 

I raised the XJ on jackstands and could not hear the sounds in 4wd or 2wd.

 

If the "vehicle" is rotating you should be hearing more crunching than creaking j/k Seriously, though the I'm gonna venture and say its not the drive shaft, as it still turns, even in 2WD. Maybe you need to ask nicely for a parts jeep or try to find a tcase to swap in, and maybe dig into the current one.

 

I made an offer on rolling frame. Axles, trans transfer case fire wall back.

 

I found a transfer case close to me with a SYE. It has this one installed from a YJ.
http://www.rubiconexpress.com/JeepPa...YE&part=RE1801

This says Pre 96 XJ, My jeep is a 96. What is difference to look for?
Is the input spline different 96 and newer?

 

If the PO was not aware of the level the t-case was supposed to be filled to, he could have put the jeep on a steep downhill and filled her up! Just to state a possibility, and not commenting on likeliness.

 

That would be very steep hill! This thing was full to the top.
I guess I will drop the transfer case and count the spline to make sure a Jeep YJ with Slip yoke already installed will fit.

 

Wow what did that sound like? Lucky your front end didn't lock up on you

 

The funny thing is the front axle did not make any noise.
I have a tread on the sit with a YouTube video of the play

 

I Removed the front dive shaft to dig around.
I can hear somewhat of the same noise coming from the double cardon joint by the transfer case. I have bought new joints and have started rebuilding my drive shaft. I have come to a stop to where the ball kit fits into the housing. Spicer number C2-83-219
The problem is I believe my noise I was hearing only under a load was from this small ball. The inside of the ball cup is scored. I am uncertain how to remove this cup with out damage to the housing. I have heated it up and tried prying it out with a screwdriver. I may just be better off buying a new
spicer C2-83-219 or cross with Precision 607