Hi Robert,
With 4wd on, you should not be able to turn the front driveshaft by hand, because the gears in the transfer case should be engaged. If the front wheels turn, it’s probably that if you turn one clockwise, the other turns anticlockwise. This would be due to the open differential and would be normal operation. (If you had a locked front differential, neither wheels nor driveshaft would move with the front in the air and 4wd engaged.)
I’m not sure this information helps you find your problem, but you can at least know what to expect with normal operation.
- The CV joint on the transfer case end of the front driveshaft is a common part that wears out. The rubber boot fails, letting dirt and grime into the joint. Look here first. The noise would eventually happen all the time, but would be noisier or more noticeable in 4wd. The CV end of the driveshaft is easily replaced. Info & pictures here:
http://www.lostjeeps.com/forum/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=16&t=56917- A bad CV axle shaft on either side could be the source of the noise as well. You’d hear the noise more when making corners, and it will get worse over time.
- The intermediate axle shaft on the right side that connects the front diff to the right CV axle has splines on it that may have worn down. If you find that the right hand CV or the intermediate shaft splines are bad, they must both be replaced together. Otherwise, you’ll be replacing them both again soon.
- It is much less likely that your transfer case or your front differential are broken. Fluid changes can alert you to metal shavings that may be in there.
Hope this helps.
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2008 Liberty Sport 4x4 Automatic
Jeepin By Al 4" Lift Kit
BFG KO2’s 245/75R16
Full MOPAR skid plates
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AtTheHelm Front Recovery System & Roof RackM116A3 Trailer build thread: viewtopic.php?f=72&t=77997