Vehicle speed sensor. It's on the tail housing of the TC. It has your speedo gear on it.

 

Sorry if I missed it. Have you changed the pinion angle on your rear axle?

 

Ok, I didn't read all of the thread and now I look like an idiot. But I wouldn't exactly call it a "FWD XJ", since he just removed the rear driveshaft.

Now as far as it pulling to the right when you accelerate with only the front shaft in, that's probably normal. If I'm correct on this, it's called torque steer, and is one of the biggest drawbacks to a FWD car. Since the XJ is not designed to have all the power going to the front wheels, the torque steer will be much, much worse than a modern FWD car. It can also be exaggerated by alignment issues, which may be contributing to your issues while turning as well. Does it act the same when you're turning L/R or is it worse in one direction?

 

As true as torque steer may be, I remember when I had a FWD xj, it didn't pull. She didn't like backing out of spot at all, that I remember.

Besides, taking a close look at the u joints, specially if stock, isn't a bad idea. Normally a quick way to tell is discoloration, if they're no good or going out from heating up

 

I'm surprised you didn't have any torque steer. That's not what I would expect at all. I definitely agree on checking the u-joints since they probably aren't functioning like new, but it just doesn't make sense to me that all of a sudden the u-joints give out. They might be contributing, but something is going on here besides that. When mine started to go, the only sign was the popping noise that was made during turning and sometimes on acceleration, but it certainly wasn't violent and was very slow in its development. This issue sounds like it went from 0-100 pretty quickly.

OP, and I'm not even kidding here, do you have a GoPro or digital camera? If so, I would mount it underneath your XJ in different spots, focusing on the transfer case and front suspension. This way, you can get a video of what's happening as you drive it.

I'm assuming none of these characteristics are present when you have the transmission in neutral and then also when you have the transmission in drive and the TC in neutral, correct? By having the transmission in neutral, you know it's not the engine, and having the TC in neutral with the tranny in gear, you know it's not the tranny. I would also try removing both driveshafts and having the tranny in gear and TC in each position. If you follow these steps, you are effectively eliminating the downstream components of the drivetrain. If what I'm saying doesn't make any sense, let me know and I'll explain it better.

 

When mine went out it squeaked on low speed turns and then bound really bad at full lock that was the only notice.

 

Yeah that's in right, speedo works perfect and it slid right in and there is no leakage out of the seal around it.

 

Yes I have, it's a couple degrees below the driveshaft. But that shouldn't be the issue because I have vibration when only the front shaft is in.

 

It acts about the same both directions. But I can't say for sure because I made tighter turns right than left because turning right I was going into the lane right there and turning left I was turning across the street so not really an apple to Apple comparison.

 

No discoloration that I can tell.... It's all rust colored.

 

I don't have a go pro or digital camera just my iPhone which I do not feel comfortable strapping under my jeep haha. I wish I had a go pro though that though came through my head. I haven't really tried any test sitting still just with different shafts in different locations and stuff. I'll have to try some of those tomorrow but I don't have time right now because I have class tonight.

 

I have a squeak at low speeds and an occasional thump/knock when turning into parking spots. Sounds similar.. I mean if anything it's good maintenance since I'm sure it's never been done in the 134,000 miles of my jeeps life.

 

Btw thank ya'll for all the suggestions and helpful tips and everything! I really do appreciate it!

 

Your welcome. I only speak for myself but I always find it fun to find the solution to a problem.

 

You do speak for yourself. I like problems to always continue ;P lol.

OP, that's what we are here for. As long as you listen, can take some criticism, and noggin poke, well always help. It's when people say, ok give me a long list of what it could be and waits for an answer but never does the investigating needed, those people we can't stand.