scottrlb

Hey, for starters I would like to say sorry if this isn't the correct way to post a concern. That aside here's the issue I am having I have a 2001 Jeep Cherokee Sport and it has had this noticeable "thunking" sort of noise when I slow down to stop. Recently I just pulled the driveshafts front and rear checked all the u-joints checked for looseness in the transfer case chain and rear differential I don't really know what is going on. My dad and I went ahead and decided to pull the rear differential cover off. We did find that the pin that goes through the cage had hammed away at the cage so we decided that was the cause of the "thunking" noise well we did a bit of jury rigging or testing if you will and drilled and hammed small pins next to the cage pin and the movement stopped thinking the problem was solved put it back together filled with fluid, but upon test driving it the noise was still present. Anyway my question to you experienced Jeep owners is what else can cause a "thunking" noise when stopping in the rear?

77olds

Try lubing the slip yoke. They get a bit sticky when the grease wears out so when the driveshaft slides in and out of the tailshaft on the transmission, it tends to make a "thunk" type of noise... though USUALLY it only happens when you're taking off from a stop. Still, it only takes a minute to do so you'd might as well do it just to rule it out.

scottrlb

The noise I have been hearing is a rotational type "thunking" noise similar to a warped brake rotor noise but the noise is in the rear and it has stock 9 inch drum brakes on it I know these can warp as well but I'm thinking this is to loud to be a brake noise. My dad constantly says that noise is getting louder in the back every time he rides with me home from work so obviously somethings not right. Also the splines on the rear drive shaft that go into the transfer case have grease on them already not sure how much grease it should have but there is some there.

scottrlb

Well after some thinking and brainstorming with my dad he said try driving it and shift it into neutral and use the parking brake to slow down if the noise starts then its almost gotta be the drums being warped. So I went ahead with the idea put it in neutral and gradually applied the parking brake to slow down so I'm pretty sure its the drum brakes causing the "thunking" sound because the noise was still there it was even there when the rear driveshaft was pulled off and I went and drove it around I guess it makes sense now that I think about it but its pretty loud guess I've never heard drum brakes make a "thunking" sound before. Well hopefully in the next few days it'll be fixed soon as I get parts.

scottrlb

It turns out that my logic was right but I just didn't know it was gonna be the exact problem. It turns out that the rear drum brakes warped and caused the brake pads to wear funny and eventually the "thunking" noise got louder and louder as time went on. So I replaced the rear drum brakes and the brakes shoes and the "thunking" noise is 100% gone.

70hemicuda

Was this sound like a ratcheting thunking/clicking sound? Cause im having the same problem and cant figure it out at all.

scottrlb

Its possible that it could be the same noise but you have a different rear differential then my Jeep has. I think yours uses 10 inch rear drums since its a Chrysler 8.25 rear end and not a Dana 35C like mine which uses 9 inch drums but I could be wrong about that never really looked at how big my rear diff was on my Jeep I simply know its a Dana 35C. With all that said mine never made a racheting noise it simply went thunk thunk thunk thunk thunk in the back end as I slowed down to a stop and the noise got faster and louder the more I pushed on the brakes. I suggest that you try doing what I did with the e brake put your Jeep in neutral when your about to slow down and instead of using your normal brakes pull up slowly on your e brake and if the noise is still there you know for sure that it is in the rear as long as you have checked u joints and your transfer case movement if any of those feels loose u joints especially replace them the transfer case chain will have some slop in it and thats normal but if it feels extremely loose like somethings wrong then try going that route first. but without hearing what sound its actually making its tough to say since Jeeps have such a short wheelbase anything behind the driver seat under the vehicle is suspect. Well I hope this helps some I'm a mechanic by the way so anything thats still stock and not altered I can probably figure out and if not I can ask someone who can.

70hemicuda

I did the neutral/ebrake thing and the noise is even worse and the jeep made like a jumping movement. Like the brakes would grab, let go, grab, let go until i stopped. I think the drums are shot

2000JCtoad

My 2000 Cherokee Sport is making noise as we start slowing down, also. Going to try the brake check on it tomorrow!

scottrlb

Hey sorry I haven't been on here in awhile I hope you guys got your brake issues figured out I know first hand that that stuff seems so simple but yet it is so confusing when everything looks normal we've had Chevy Suburbans come into the shop with the rear drums locking up we had one back 3 or 4 times for the exact same issue it was a nightmare even the more seasoned mechanic couldn't figure it out but I finally just said well this Suburban had over 200,000 miles on it its very possible that the springs and adjusters are just plain worn out so we went ahead and replaced all the springs and brake parts in the drum brakes and the guy hasn't come back since. Stuff like that can just make you mad because its so simple but you wouldn't think of it normally.

randysmith050

Having the same Problem with my 98 XJ Sport. and just put new pad on a few months ago

scottrlb

<p> did you get the brake drums turned or replaced when you did the rear brakes? Not doing that isn't a good idea and won't fix your problem because the problem is both the brake drums and brake shoes fix them both and your problem should go away if you are totally sure it's the brakes causing the problem.</p>

scottrlb

if you could be more specific about the problem your having I might be able to help you out

2000JCtoad

The problem of the noise stopped, abruptly. The rear end broke and the inside looked like a disaster area. Found replacement parts on the internet after much looking and have it rebuilt. That problem gone. BUT, now there is a little buzz just before I come to a stop which may be a Anti Skid Brake problem. Got to find if one of the motion sensors was damaged during work on the rear axles to fix rear end!