Epk5150

Not sure if this belongs here or oem tech but here it goes. I have a 96 xj 4.0L automatic with a RE 3.5" lift and whenever i let off the gas i can hear a mild clunk that sounds like its coming from below me. It makes the same sound when i press the gas again. It will also make this sound multiple times when im just coasting at an averag speed. Any ideas?

Thanks,
Eric

RubberSideUp

Does it become more audible as vehicle speed increases? Do you have a GoPro or similar camera you could mount in various locations to pin point the source?

It could be a number of things. From trans mount, exhaust hitting something, control arm bushings, cv yoke binding, u-joints, pinion angle, transfer case chain stretched, transfer case bearings, pinion bearings, transfer case shift fork pads worn out, torque converter issues, ring and pinion issues, etc.

Epk5150

Also, not sure if this helps but it shifts into 4hi and 4lo just fine.

Thanks,
Eric

Epk5150

Unfortunately i dont have a camera, but it does happen about the same at all speeds but not while accelerating or braking. I also hear it when i hit a speed bump. I dont think its control arms because those are brand new LCAs from RE. Trans mount, engine mounts, tie rod ends, track bar, and drag link are all new as well. Jus changed front and rear diff fluid and didnt notice an flakes in there. It sounds like it comes from either front end are ot t-case area.

Thanks,
Eric

88 XJ Durb

Mine does same thing, I figured out its the front U-joints, yours if under you could be the u joints on the drive line....My 2 cents

Themrjsmitty

This happened to me for a day or two and i couldnt figure out what the hell was wrong but then i noticed that i was missing 3 lug nuts on one of my wheels. Guessing someone tried to steal my tires but got stopped by the one that needs the key. Maybe that could be it? Might as well check haha.

Epk5150

Lug nuts are all there and torqued, is there a way to check the u-joints and are they easy to replace?

Thanks,
Eric

aka"dude"

did you figure it out? I have a bumping noise while coasting or light braking that has been driving me nuts every thing is tight all i can think is that the shackles are toast.

Epk5150

No it still does it and its only gotten worse. I had a fellow jeeper look at it and take a ride with me and of course it wouldn't do it when I tried to show someone. He didn't seem to think it was driveline related and said its probably suspension related. I just find that hard to believe as every suspenion/steering component is brand new with the exception of ball joints (which I checked when I lifted and they were good), steering box, and pitman arm drop link. I have started to just ignore it and turn the radio up. I don't have the time or money to take it to a shop so I guess I will just wait until something breaks.

Fred/N0AZZ

Sounds like something in the driveline, mine started doing something like that when I installed the lockers at about those times. Shifting P-R, R-D, then let off throttle and the same when going the other way from coasting.

You need to inspect your driveline closely before moving on.

southerutah

Dealing with the same noises. Changed the rear u-joints and droped the t-case 1 1/2 inches. Still slight noise. Will be shimming rear springs to change driveline angle. U-joints were $25, bolts, coupling nuts, and washers for t-case drop $10 (ACE Hardware). Will try to find shims tomorrow.

Stouie383

Maybe jack it up and see if your slip yoke is causing it. Or just yank on your drive shafts and see if anything is loose. That is if you have a slip yoke. That was the first thing to go after my lift. You say it's only when it's not under load? Pinion angle?

Rented Mule

Hay , check your u- bolts , on the rear axle , make sure they or tight, that happened to me after first run with a new lift .

Epk5150

Thanks for all the responses. Here is an update. So it has only gotten worse over time and I had a fellow jeeper look at it at a meet up last week. He doesnt seem to think it is driveline related. We yanked and pulled on the driveshafts and they are solid so I don't think its a u-joint anymore. I have noticed that any time I go over a speed bump I can hear it and it sort of sounds like something is bouncing around. It does it even more if I go over the speed bump at an angle. Definitely is coming from the front end. So I am starting to think it may be a ball joint. What sort of noises does a bad ball joint make?

88 XJ Durb

Those kind of noises are what ball joints make, $150 and some hours to put them in and your set for hopefully 100k miles.