ok, Ive been going a long time with this noise and have yet to worry about it. I've always been a beleiver in "Don't worry about the noise til it breaks". Well I think if this item breaks im going to be in deep.

When driving my transfer case seems to make alot of noise. kind of like a sand beween gears noise. It makes the noise in all transfer case positions.

My front drive shaft has about 3/4" of play in it. I hve tried every type, order, and pattern of shifting in/out of 2/4H/4L/N.

I really notice the noise when I drive near another vehicle or other object that the noise can echo off of.

any one had this happen? anyone know what it is? any guesses? any "try this"s?

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2003 limited 3.7L V6
Vader Edition

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/3219059

Either your from driveshaft is toast or the front output of the t-case is toast.Grab the F driveshaft while looking at the front t-case output,wiggle it and see if just the driveshaft moves or the whole output yoke.If the front output on your t-case is bad you should have one big oil leak and your t-case is totally dry and most likely beyond rebuilding and will need a new one.

Remove front shaft and go for a drive

I just went out and gave what you said a try. Im adding a video to what i saw just to double check what was seen.

after looking at it more it sounds like its the front DS. when I turn the front output yolk on the transfer case it makes the noise that i am hearing.

When you said wiggle it did you mean twist the DS (left-right) or pushing and pulling (forward-backward)?

if twist then yes they both had about 1/2" of play. if pushing/pulling only the drive shaft moved, not the yolk.

If there was a huge oil leak I feel that i would have noticed. I drive her everyday and park in a garage and always look to see what liquids are under it.

movie order holding driveshaft twisting left to right- holding DS pushing/pulling

http://s91.photobucket.com/albums/k294/ ... V00003.flv

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2003 limited 3.7L V6
Vader Edition

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/3219059

Yep your front drive shaft is shot,those stupid CV joints on them just don't last like u-joints.The turning play is okay,that's just the slack in the gears and is fine.The front driveshafts are about $300-$400 depending on where you get it,that's for new.

hey thanks a lot TJKJ. I'm very very glad to hear its the front drive shaft and not the entire transfer case.

I was really hoping that I didn't screw something that important up and not know it. I like replacing the front drive shaft in terms of cost and the fact that i can do it pretty easy.

Thanks again!

_________________
2003 limited 3.7L V6
Vader Edition

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/3219059

TJKJ
Is there any way you can change the cv joints on the driveshaft?Kinda a Sh*!!y design if you have to replace the whole driveshaft. What's the reasoning for not using the U joints?




josh

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**REMEMBER YOU CAN ALWAYS GET A HUMMER IN A JEEP.... YOU CAN'T GET A JEEP IN A HUMMER**
2003 Jeep Liberty(KJ) Renegade,235/75/16 Goodyear Wrangler Silent Armors 245/75/16 MTR's,Factory Skids, Selec-Trac,trac lock,Husky Floor Liners,OME Lift,948 rear/926 front,Rusty's strut plate,clevis 2.5 "s, Al's UCA's Gen 4.5.

It would cost more then just getting a new driveshaft since those CV joints are not sold seperatly.the reason for using the CV's instead of u-joints is the front diff is stationary so strength was not there first thought,plus to be able to safely use the select-trac CV joints are preferred over u-joints.The KK gets u-joints in it's front driveshaft now,highly doubt it would work in the KJ,you can call Tom Woods and they'll make you a HD u-joint driveshaft and get all the pieces to convert it for you(need different yokes and seals on the front diff and front t-case output),someone on here already did it,I believe it cost almost $500 though.

thats looking pretty rough! The rotational movement is normal. That lateral is not has tjkj said.

Just wondering why you said the cv joints are needed for full-time tjkj. Cherokees have used ujoints for years in the front driveshaft and they have fulltime.

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The use of the CV's is for smoother operation and less driveability issues that stemed from the XJ's and ZJ's.

so with a price tag of 362 online for the stock replacement do you think it would be worth spending another 100 to get a tom woods front DS? also can I unbolt the front DS from the front diff and front output on the transfer case and just let it ride? or will everything else come out also (output shaft, ect.)?

also will a front DS from any year liberty work ?

_________________
2003 limited 3.7L V6
Vader Edition

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/3219059

I picked up a used unit for $90 from a yard here in Phoenix, you might check locally and see if you can find one. Just be sure to check all the rubber boots and such to be sure they are in good condition. And yes, you can run without the front DS installed, I did for a couple of weeks before I got mine replaced. A driveshaft from any year will work provided it has the same transmission/t-case setup. IIRC there are two or three different part numbers, I can check when I get home tonight.