I'm dealing with a similar problem now. I've had four shops take a look at my Jeep and it seems to be a problem with the transfer case, and possibly the rear transmission bearing. Estimate cost to fix is $500 bucks for a rebuild, $2500 to replace.

Is this common in high mileage Liberty's? Is it worth repairing, or should I look at a late model Patriot?

Thanks.

Ok. So after numerous different opinions and loads of cash I finally decided to let this noise go and wait till whatever is making the noise to break completely and then I would know where the problem lies. Till then I would live with the noise. Today I opened the hood to check the transmission fluid while the motor was running. As I watched the accessory drive belt it seemed a little jumpy right after the alternator. I knew the alternator had a clutch pulley and figured this to be the cause of the unstable fan belt looking unstable. I shut off the engine and wiggled the pulley a bit and didn't see anything particularly wrong with it so I put my thumb into the little hole on the front of the pulley (not the centre hole, it has a little hole on the front that is off centre) and turned the pulley disengaging the clutch and spun the alternator freely without turning the belt. Tgis took a bit of force. Walah......the noise reproduced exactly as stated before in this post just slower. It makes sense now that with the run-on clutch when I take my foot off the gas and the rpm drops rapidly the clutch disengages and the alternator runs on for a few (3 or 4) rotations. It was the clutch that was noisy all along. Sprayed a bit of penetrating spray in there and noise is GONE!!!!! Still going to replace the pulley though at around $100.00.

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'04 Liberty(Cherokee) stock.

My alternator clutch is doing the same thing - removing the belt and a simple spin of the pully ilustrates a slight pully wobble.
So.. how did your repair go? is the clutch replaceable? or new alternator needed?

The clutch is replaceable, getting it off the shaft is the hard part. If you fail at doing that, AutoZone can source you a new alternator for $150 or so.

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Bad noises = REALLY bad things.

Have you replace the alt pulley? if so, did it fix the noise? Sounds like it could be the problem on my case too. let me know plz.

Replaced it. Noise completely gone. Cost around ZAR900.00. Hell of a job without the special tools.

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'04 Liberty(Cherokee) stock.

Great. I will replace mine on Sunday and report back. thanks