Gunmetal Pearl XJ

Hey guys, I pulled my Jeep out of storage for winter and noticed a few issues with it that I'm wondering if I could get some insight on. It's a 98 2 door 4.0 4x4 with a 2.5 inch lift and 31 inch tires.

1. When I reverse I am noticing what feels like a driveshaft vibration/binding, this wasn't occurring last summer when I was driving it. I checked the driveshaft and it doesn't look like it is slipping out of the transfer case or hitting anything. I also checked the exhaust to see if it was rubbing or hitting anything and it wasn't. Could the rear diff be low on oil and its causing this? I do not believe I need a SYE due to how small the lift is but I might be wrong.

2. It has been raining all day today and I saw that their was a pool of water on top of my passenger floor mat. I researched this and I don't believe it is the heater core because the heater still blows strong and hot air and it isn't a coolant sweet smell. I'm thinking that one of my weather strips is cracked or it is leaking from the cowl into the floor pan. Any insight on this would be appreciated or a common spot to start looking for the location.

Like I said any help would be appreciated!

BwanaBob

You can look for leaks around the windshield. Get out the garden hose and
give it a good soaking and then look under the dash for evidence of the leaks.

Lift up the cowl (just take off the wiper arms and take out a few screws) and
check the drains to make sure they are free.

I had leaks and since my windshield was cracked, I had it replaced. Since
then I have not noticed any leaks.

As for the binding. You should check the transmission mount to see if the
transmission moves when under load (brakes on) in reverse. Since it has been
sitting, the rear driveshaft slip yoke could stand to be greased. Top off the
differential gear oil.

Gunmetal Pearl XJ

My windshield was replaced last summer but I will definitely remove the cowl and take a look. I'll check out the transmission mount tomorrow afternoon, didn't think to grease the slip yoke so I'll address that as well, thanks for the help!