Grinding after lift? help!
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Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2010
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From: North of boston
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 I6
finished my 3 inch lift + 1inch block last night and driving here to work this morning I was hearing grinding once and a while.. sounded like it was coming from the rear driver-side. I look and dont see anything rubbing... any ideas?
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From: Salt Lake City, UT
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
check your front backing plates to make sure they aren't rubbing or got teaked a bit, common that people bend them.
then it is "grinding" is it a rotational come and go? or a constant grind and then its gone? when turning? accelerating ect?
then it is "grinding" is it a rotational come and go? or a constant grind and then its gone? when turning? accelerating ect?
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 98
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From: North of boston
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 I6
What/where is the front backing plates, and it is not constant, doesnt seem to matter if turning accelerating or braking, it does kind of seem to when there is a bump or dip in the road, but not for everyone... its like it will do it off and on for 2 min then stop for 3 min and back. thanks for the help
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 98
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From: North of boston
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 I6
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 98
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From: North of boston
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 I6
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Sounds like the rear driveshaft u-joints. U-joints get a wear pattern, and when you install a lift, the angle is increased, resulting in the joints "grinding" in a new pattern due to the different angle. This will actually destroy the joints. A t-case drop will help, is not fully resolve the issue. if you still get some noise after the tc drop, buy new u joints for the rear shaft and you should be good.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 98
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From: North of boston
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 I6
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From: Cullman Alabama
Year: 1998 1992 1991
Model: Cherokee
Engine: All Inline 6 4.0
Grab your rear drive shaft while in park and try to twist it and see if the u joint has play in it, If not its good , nothin wrong with replacing u joints though better safe than sorry.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Dec 2010
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From: North of boston
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 I6
seems like the tc is the issue! is it worth it to change the u joints in addition to the tc? also when searching for tc lowering kits it seems like most are just over an inch... is this enough for 4 inches? difficult installation.? thanks all!!
ps is there just one u joint or two? are they different? thanks
ps is there just one u joint or two? are they different? thanks
jacked xj - yes, do both the drop and new u-joints.
Mrmatt2009 - Most tc drops are only 1". Very easy to install and it'll work perfectly fine for a 4" lift. I'd still replace the u-joints (2 of them, one at each end of the rear drive shaft, they're the same style u-joint) as they form a wear pattern and even with the tc drop will still wear out faster due to the new angle of the drive shaft. better to just do it all at one time and know it's good to go than to have a greater issue later.
Mrmatt2009 - Most tc drops are only 1". Very easy to install and it'll work perfectly fine for a 4" lift. I'd still replace the u-joints (2 of them, one at each end of the rear drive shaft, they're the same style u-joint) as they form a wear pattern and even with the tc drop will still wear out faster due to the new angle of the drive shaft. better to just do it all at one time and know it's good to go than to have a greater issue later.
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From: Missouri
Year: 1996
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