Hi,

I'm posting because I'm trying to help out my husband. He's been having a nightmare of a time with his 2000 Cherokee, 4.0, AT. It's driving me a little crazy, so I would love some help.

A couple of months ago, he had a suspension lift put on. 3" in the front, 2.5" in the rear. He also changed to 31" tires instead of stock. Now there is a rattle/grinding in the gas pedal when it is pressed down to a certain point. It is just specific to the location of the gas pedal. It happens in the same spot even if he switches gears and is at a different RPM.

A couple of weeks ago, his transmission fried, and he had a used (27,000 mi) transmission put in. Ball joints were replaced and it was aligned. He got it back two days ago, and on his way to work yesterday, one of the wheels came off, and it was out of alignment again. He asked them to check out the rattling while it was in the shop again, and they said it is a bad transfer case. It shifts in an out of 4wd with no problems. My husband also said that he noticed the grinding/rattling occasionally before the lift, but it's a lot more noticeable now.

After the experience with this shop, I don't really trust anything they say. I have my doubts that they really even looked at it today after I talked to one of the mechanics, so I thought I'd ask for some other opinions.

I used to have a 90 Cherokee, and I spent a lot of my time fixing it, but I'm not very knowledgeable when it comes to suspension issues. Also, the temp is below zero, and it's dark when my husband gets home from work, so neither of us don't feel like crawling underneath it in the snow and looking around. Any help would be appreciated!


Cassie

 

Are you sure it's the gas pedal? Jeep issued a TSB on Cherokees for a dash rattle years back. The bushings on the transfer case shifter body bracket wear out and cause the rattling. When you hear the rattle, try slightly pushing the transfer case shifter towards the passenger side on your XJ. If that temporarily quiets the noise, have your local Jeep dealer order TSB kit #5014148AA. It should be about $25.00.

 

Could be in the drive shaft.. Or a u joint. If it got worse after the lift, that leads me to think the aforementioned..