mnewxcv

I've had a thump thump thump sound for a while now with my jeep that I chocked up to being my track bar bushing being completely destroyed. Well, I replaced the track bar finally and the thump is still there. I got underneath and went searching for what might be the culprit. I find that the front driveshaft has play in it where the two pieces are joined. Not really sure what would be causing this. What do you guys think? I uploaded a video for you to see.




Vehicle specs:
2000 XJ
2.5-3" lift
TC drop

thanks for any help in advance

almostamos

Slip yoke/joint is worn out. You'll need a new driveshaft.

diskman

Worn out splines on the front shaft. Most people forget to grease em up. I do mine every other oil change.

Hit up a junkyard for a used DS. Cheapest way. A respline at a driveline shop will be about 150 for a new spline and another 140 for new cardon and u-joints. Figure $300 plus for a rebuild and balance. Or used for under 50..

GREASE the replacement one tho.. Every other oil change..

Big David

Agree. Get a "new" one from the yard. I'd keep the old one as a trail spare.

BwanaBob

Mine has play like that so I took it off until I can get
another one. Jeep drives much smoother now and I just
stay away from 4wd situations for the moment.

mnewxcv

thanks for all the replies. sucks I gotta replace it but fortunately used replacements are under $100 on ebay. Seeing if the local salvage yard has one cheaper.

Is it ok to drive with it in this condition? I don't drive it on the highway anyways. Hopefully I can get a replacement by the weekend.

Lastly, is there anything else I need to look at for a cause, or is it pretty much because it wasn't greased and just wore out?

diskman

Remove the front DS and drive without it. Driving on an out-of-balance shaft WILL cause other more expen$ive problems.

Cause was probably due to never being maintained with fresh lube, or driving in harsh environment (salt, sand, silt).

Once you get yours removed, look for the sticker on it. It will list a long part number, and date of manufacture. Will help on finding the right replacement at the junkyard.

freegdr

http://www.dennysdriveshaft.com/c461...iveshafts.html

mnewxcv

damn, here I was thinking an XJ driveshaft is an XJ driveshaft. I will get the old one pulled and check it out.

cbs_24

You can buy a brand new heavy duty one from Adams driveshaft for like $250. I would do that before spending nearly that much to have your oem one rebuilt.

HYRYSC

I just got an Adams delivered to me yesterday. Haven't put it on yet, but sure is beefy stuff. Way better than stock!

Cane

i had the exact same issue, replaced with one from the JY that I greased and also didn't have to replace any u-joints. 30$ well invested!

mnewxcv

so did you need the same year driveshaft?

BwanaBob

I found this several years ago and saved the info.
For your 2000 it looks like you can use the shaft from
any 1989-2001 with the same motor/transmission.

length Mopar p/n
XJ 87/88 2.5 Automatic 27.950 53003912
XJ 89/93 2.5 Automatic 27.970 53005540
XJ 89/01 2.5 Manual 25.310 53005541
XJ 89/01 4.0 Automatic 30.660 53005542
XJ 89/01 4.0 Manual 29.250 53005543
XJ 89/00 4.0 Manual 27.080 Export 53005544
XJ 89/00 4.0 Automatic 28.620 Export 53005545
XJ 87/88 4.0 Automatic Export 53005260 *
XJ 95/01 Diesel 27.640 Export52098208

ZJ 1993 4.0 Automatic 30.530 52098341
ZJ 93/95 5.2 Automatic 32.870 w/o CV 53008427
ZJ 94/95 5.2 A500 30.625 w/o CV 52087805
ZJ 94/95 4.0 A500 w/o CV 52098790
ZJ 93/96 4.0 Manual 52098344
ZJ 93/96 4.0, 5.2 31.875 w/ 231, 242 52087805
ZJ 93/95 4.0 Manual 30.000 w/231 52088090
ZJ 93/96 5.2 33.000 w/ 231 53008427
ZJ 96/98 5.2, 5.9 31.250 w/ 249 & Model 30 52098379
ZJ 1996 5.2 Automatic 32.875 w/ 249 & Model 30 52098501
ZJ 96/98 4.0 33.000 w/ 242 52098707
ZJ 96/97 4.0 Automatic 31.250 52098850
ZJ 1996 5.2 Automatic 30.750 w/ 249 & Model 30 52099246
ZJ 96/98 4.0 33.500 w/ 249 52099260

Cane

i got mine from a same year XJ because I had the opportunity to, but you can get it from different years.

let's say you have the same setup as me. np242, auto trans, high pinion dana 30. well you need to find a jeep with the same setup and it'll be a direct swap.

if i remember correctly mine came from a np231 TC, so i don't think the TC matters that much. and i think 2000 had the low pinion (don't quote me on this) so you might have to consider that