Grinding noise from front and rear after having my 4.5" lift installed?
 

Hi guys maybe you can help me confirm my problem. I just had a Rough country 4.5" lift kit installed in my Cherokee and ever sense that was put on i now have a grinding noise coming from my front and rear ends. I called the place that put on my lift and they said oh its your U- joints so re-place them.... so i did, I replaced the 3 in the front shaft and 2 in the rear shaft and that did not fix my problem... So i took it to a auto repair shop and they told me that its something wrong with my transfer case... so then i took it to a Transmission shop and after they checked it out and ruled out everything and said that my T-case was fine and that my problem is that my drive shafts are to small now for my lift. They said I would have to get one custom made. So my question is has anyone ran into this same problem and had to get a custom front drive shaft made? And if so did it fix the grinding noise?

words in bold is problem number one.

but your issue sounds like driveline vibes. You not only need a new driveshaft, but a sye as well if that is the case. When are you noticing these sounds?

driveshafts are probably too short now, lifts that size need a sye or hack n tap w/ a cv rear shaft the correct length

Yes I figured I would need to get a slip yoke eliminator kit for the rear but didn't think i needed to get a custom front shaft made. All the klacking and grinding noise is coming from the front. These sound start around 25mph and gets louder to about 40mph then after that it starts to quiet down but then when im going faster ( 50+mph ) and let go of the gas pedal it makes a loud bogging noise that sounds like a big rig exhaust brake going off.

yes I know about the rear sye kit. but my main problem is the front. I just didnt know if anyone else had this problem and had to get a custom made front drive shaft. I've heard and read about everyone having to do the rear sye kit and cv shaft but haven't seen anyone say anything about the front being a problem.

Also make sure the leaf spring were installed correctly. I've seen a few shops put the springs in backwards, which gives you a nasty pinion angle, and can let the yoke chew on itself as it spins.

pull the front shaft off for now. see how things sound

Alright i will check that also, Thanks. I believe they are on right but i will check to make sure.

I will do that today and see if anything has changed. Thanks.

Process of elimination. Also post pics of what you are dealing with so we can get a better understanding of what may be happening.

I would also check your pinion angles.

Max

so I took the front drive shaft out and drove it. Looks like the really bad noise from the front is gone. So i guess i have to order a custom front drive shaft so its the right length. The rear still makes a noise but im going to order a SYE kit for that so hopefully all my problems go away after i do both of those. Thanks guys for your help!

HI guys just purchased a 2000 gc with a similar noise issue In the front was told that it was suppose to be cv's watch are visually not in good shape however I am also getting a wine out of the front as well around 20-25 mph and up changing cvs and servicing bolth back and front diff tonight any pointers or other things I should look into while on the lift thanks

Before you buy a new DS check the pinion angle. Myself as well as lots of other members run 4.5-5.5" lifts with factory front shafts without issue.

How do i change the pinion angle if it was off?