Shaun Mason

Hi guys,

To start I just want to say I love this forum. It's been very informative. I'm going to ask some completely newbie questions, please be easy on me.

Last week I purchased a 1997 Grand Cherokee Laredo 4x4. It only had 81.5K miles and the exterior is fantastic. That said, I honestly am not as car literate as I should be so I *think* I purchased a vehicle that needs some work. The steering seemed very loose to me and I got under the Jeep today and found a broken sway bar link, no big deal I can get that taken care of.

I've never had a vehicle with 4WD and maybe some of my concerns are just normal noise.

1. Are these things just loud in 1st gear? When I take off the noise worries me (though I've been in work vans and such that are louder). I think maybe I am just used to sedans AND perhaps a little distrustful of cars in general.

2. I *think* I hear some noise underneath my feet while driving. I know that the front differential is there. I'm dropping it off to my mechanic tomorrow night...should I be prepared for really bad news? The noise is fairly faint and is there all the time. It sounds like what I imagine a spinning drive shaft sounds like.

Anyway, I'm just upset at the thought of an expensive repair, I was hoping the Jeep would be reliable for me. Anyway, I know I haven't really been very descriptive (I'm a Jeep idiot), anyone want to either alleviate my concerns or give me some ideas as to what to expect?

Thanks guys.

mithuth

Sounds like you need front drive shaft u-joints

wj99

That loud first gear may just be your fan, my 99 gc is pretty loud cuz of the fan, idk much about zj's though I just got into the jeep seen too. Hope this helps .

cf1k1

The loud first gear... Is it only on a cool engine? If so, the mechanical fan will soon at the rpm of the engine in first gear until the temperature sensor reads 110*.

Bustedback

Fan roar is very common for the ZJ when the engine is cold. Once you get the bugs worked out and your mechanic gives it a clean bill of health, you're going to be very happy with your Jeep and its little quirks.

Shaun Mason

So, I stopped to talk to my mechanic today. He changed the front differential fluid for me and told me there was quite a bit of metal shavings in the fluid.

What am I looking at here? It isn't real noisy, what are my options?

93zjwheeler

The spider gears could be chewing away at themselves or your ring and pinion is shot is it an awd?

hoythunter21

What's a ring and pinion job usually cost at a shop?

freegdr

cheaper to get a jy axle and swap it in

freegdr

if you not changing ratios junk yard swap save a lot of money

Shaun Mason

What exactly am I looking for for the front axle? Dana 30...not sure about gearing and high/low pinion.

I'm car stupid, lol

93zjwheeler

Their is a tag on the diff cover bolts

Bustedback

You have a low pinion Dana 30 and it's most likely a 3.55 or 3.73 ratio. The boneyards are full of them.