Pics might help.

 

Good morning all! New to the forum and new JGC owner (2002 Limited). I have a tech question. During sharp right or left turns, I'm getting a rubbing/slight grinding sensation from the front end. I'm not sure if this the transfer case and/or differential. Tire are good and I'm 100% on everything. Any idea's? Just looking to eliminate a few things. Thanks!!!!

 

Could be your CV joints or brakes. Do you have a jack and stands that you can put the axle on to have a look?

 

I wish I had a jack with that capability, but I don't at the moment. Do you think a CV would could this during a sharp turn? Never considered that. I guess I always this of the worst case scenario. This is a one owner and he claimed to have always changed the differential and all other fluids out periodically and on time.

 

Absolutely. Grinding and clunking are a sign of CV joints going out. They're sealed units packed with grease.

 

Wow! Never would've thought that. It's definitely only a front end shudder. No where else. It's almost a grinding feel except it's not high pitched, sharp, or very loud. Just a faint consistent rubbing/friction kind of feel. This sounds more feasible than a transfer case or differential job.

 

It's also possible your hub bearings are worn enough for the brake rotors to rub on the pads. I had this happen on my 2000 WJ.

 

Not even sure what I'd be looking for but my buddy has a jack I can use to look closer. The reason I though this might be a gearing issue... When turning you can almost feel the frequency of gears working, minus lube and/or something vital to the working parts. I guess the frequency/rhythm of the rubbing could be coming from tires or another moving part.

 

What would explain this happening only before the vehicle has warmed up? After driving 10 mins or so, even in sharpest turns or U-turns, I get no noise or vibration. Smooth as silk. Until it sits over night or through the work day then bam... It's back again until it warms up.

 

Have you ever looked at your rotors in the morning? They will rust overnight! As soon as you start driving, they clean themselves off. This may not be your problem, I'm just saying.

 

Never thought to check them, but I'll start. But would they rust all over again during the work day? In fact, when I leave for lunch in a few hours, after the Jeep has only sat 5 hours I'll get the same grinding again. Can't figure this out.

 

It's possible, but it would have to be a rainy day or an ocean breeze. I was just thinking with worn bearings when you go around corners, the rotors shift around and rub more heavily on the pads. Your noise goes away after it warms up, which is more indicative of CV joints. In my experience, most CV joint problems show up as a clicking or popping on turns.

In my estimate, it's going to take a though inspection to determine the answer.

 

Actually the bearing issue sounds more like what may be happening. There's not clicking, binding, or popping at all. I'm scheduled to drop it off at the shop tomorrow. I'm going to look over the entire front end this afternoon. Hopefully something will jump out at me.

 

One other thing!! The Quadratrac II system takes a special fluid. Did the PO use it or just ATF+4? It makes a big difference.

 

He wasn't able to say. I know he's only used conventional oil every 3K miles, which I think should have been full-syn with the 4.7. For the t-case he wasn't able to specify.