Hey all - I appreciate your feedback and input in advance.

I have a 99 WJ with 140K - 2WD, 4.0 i6.

Wondering if U-Joints on the driveshaft are needing replacement (or, if not, then I may have an issue with the transmission).

Symptoms: When I put the vehicle into reverse, it clunks pretty loudly sometimes.

When driving and trans is in 1st hear but before shifting to 2nd, if I back off on the gas pedal quickly, I get a clunk every time. Seems like it should NOT do this and noises like this worry the F*ck out of me.

**Only does this in 1st gear**

I do not know the service history of this WJ although it seems to have been cared for decently well (and now, very well now that I have it.)

Thanks - let me know your thoughts.

SMD

 

Noise and vibration are clues to a worn ujoint. The "let off clunk" is normal for the most part, but it's still worrisome when you hear it. Get under there and take a peek, rusty dust and excessive play mean it's time for the hammers.

 

Ok - there is no vibration that I can tell. I did crawl under and tried to move the drive shaft - couldn't seem to get it to rotate clock or counter at all, wouldn't move. Is this how it should be if Ujoints are solid?

Regarding the "let off clunk" - you are saying that this is normal? Does the clunk worsen or become louder if the Ujoints are excessively worn?

How about clunk when putting into reverse? Also normal?

Thanks.

 

Some clunk is normal when putting into gear, but you'll know when something is not right. It's hard to explain.

 

You'll need to park your WJ on a flat area and jack up one rear tire off the ground and put the transmission in neutral... Then you will be able to turn the driveshaft and move it around to check for play in the u-joints.

I'll try to post a video of what to look for when I get to work.

 

do what ^he said, block the wheels, put in neutral, grab the drive shaft on each side of the joint and twist opposite. there should be no play at all. check both ends.

while you're under there, try to push up on the t-case. there should be very little movement on the trans mount. if you can see it, how's the rubber look?

 

Do the WJ's have a slip yoke style tcase? My old XJ had a clunk like that and I lubed up the slip yoke and it went away... Just some food for thought.

 

This video might help you along...

 

TN12valve, caged and BustedBack - thanks for all the feedback and info gents. I have been so wrapped up at work, have not had time to further delve into this. I checked out the video (actually, I've seen some of this guy's video's on YooToooooob and he puts together some pretty good vids with great detail) - I am sure that if need be, based on his vids, I can do the UJ replacement if it's required.

I will do the recommended diagnostics (jacked up in Neutral) definitely over the weekend.......and see what I can see....and give some feedback on what I find.

You guys have a safe yet exciting Holiday weekend.

 

No problem! Let us know what you find out!