Bare with me here, I'm new. I recently bought an 01 XJ Limited mostly stock in october '14. It has a few new random things and a new gas tank as well as the PO cut out the AC. I had tried it in 4wd both H & Lo on a dirt road during a heavy rain, it made some pretty fun noises in the front of the car. a few weeks after that i had gotten new front shocks and tires (we have a lot of train tracks). The guy i had replace the tires didnt tighten up my front right wheel to spec so while i was turning around in a parking lot, at barely 5 mph, my studs sheared. Its been into the shop since then a few times for some stuff on the front end suspension ( new drive shaft U Joints, etc). I hadnt used 4wd since the time i previously mentioned because a mechanic friend pointed out that my front u joints were bad and if i used 4wd id break em. well the other day i was riding with another mechanic friend and we tried it out in the snow, the front end would do something like bump, bump,bump, fine, fine, bump etc... . He said its either a bent front axle or just the U-joints. looking for any help in trying to determine which one it is. Im still in HS with a very tight income for now so buying a whole new front axle isnt that attractive an option. Thank you for any help

 

If your using 4x4 on hard surfaces it not gonna act well. U joint are always turning since after 91 theres no unlock/disconect features.

 

I drive a 98. My front left U-joint went bad and actually managed to push out one of the caps. In 2wd it would be fine (no noises at least) and even in 4wd it would be fine, until I would turn, then clunk, clunk, clunk until I came to a complete stop and started again. My front right was fine until I would turn and then clunk, clunk, clunk, but would get better once the wheel straightened out.

Based on the description of your problem I'd really doubt it would be a bent axle. As far as I know, to bend an axle you'd have to break the hub itself (not just the studs) and you'd definitely know that.

In my opinion, I would replace the front ujoints first since they are cheap and relatively easy to do if you do it yourself.

An easy test is to get under your car, and twist the ujoints/axle. Any movement in the joint and that's your problem.

 

I should've prolly mentioned that i also went to aamco and paid about $600 to fix something and on the paper it says they replaced 2 front wheel U joints, 2 new caliper kits and 6 bearing bolts. However my front axle U joints are rusted. I suppose they could've replaced U joints elsewhere in my front end, although they told me that the reason it took a few extra days was because they had to send the axle out. I'll put it on the lift at school tomorrow and check around. Also, I never used 4x4 on anything except heavy snow and mud

 

I wouldn't do anything to it yet. Take it back and let them know the original problem wasn't corrected.

 

I wouldn't be surprised if they did the front driveshaft and not the front axles. Several shops in my area won't touch the axle joints. You really don't need to get it on a lift to check. They're very accessible. If it were me I wouldnt be able to sleep until I identified the issue haha. Either way, if the shop says they fixed them but didn't id go back and at least try to get a refund.

 

How much damage happened when the wheel came off? Does the VIN on this thing end in 666?

 

OP, take some pics and post em. We can all speculate as to what your posting but we don't know for sure at all. Turn steering wheel all the way to the right and take a pic of the axle u joint, turn wheel to the left and do the same. Snap a pic from the front of the jeep of the under carrage parts. Snap a pic of the driveshaft. Then we can make suggestions to you

 

Two mechanic "Buddies" and you take it to a shop??
And it sounds like the infamous mechanic Ben Dover works at AAmaco, maybe even the first joint too.

FWIW, new bare steel rusts very quickly. So kind of depends on the color of the rust, and depth of it.