Slip yoke binding or just noisy?

mtnclimbr · **Joined:** Thu Feb 03, 2011 3:36 am **Posts:** 15

I have a clunk coming from the rear end of my 2007 4x4 3.7L automatic that occurs during 1-2 and sometimes 2-3 upshifts. Could this be slip yoke binding? I've read some of the posts related to slip yoke binding and rear end clunks but have only seen one description that might be the same. Not sure if I should worry or if this is just due to play in the transfer case and the 4H2LRE grumpiness. Here's the details:

Jeep generally shifts smoothly under most circumstances. If I start in 1st gear and let off the accelerator near the 1-2 shift point the transmission shifts hard into 2nd, causing a clunk from the rear end. The clunk does NOT happen after stopping or starting from a stop as some describe for slip yoke binding. There is some play in the rear drive shaft with the TC in 2HI and tranny in N and less play in 4HI. U joints seem just fine.

Does anyone else experience this :?:

tommudd · **Posted:** Thu Feb 03, 2011 10:25 am

A "clunk" could be a number of things
ujoints can feel and appear to be OK but worn out
Rear tri link ( rear UCA) ball joint maybe bad as well and will sometimes give you a clunking sound

jimymc · **Joined:** Thu Dec 17, 2009 7:51 pm **Posts:** 248

My Libby shifts hard under the same circumstances going from 1st to 2nd. We have friends that have a 2008 Grand Cherokee that does the same thing. Believe it may just be part of the beast. I don't get the sound you describe from the rear, though.

KJWildman · **Posted:** Thu Feb 03, 2011 10:41 pm

Check your tri-link ball joint, mine made that kind of noise and (Tom :roll:

) found that was the problem. Changed it ..... no more "clunk".

mtnclimbr · **Joined:** Thu Feb 03, 2011 3:36 am **Posts:** 15

Dropped the driveshaft today. U-joints are fine but I greased the slip yoke. The sound has lessened - there still is a little thump when it shifts hard 1-2 but I suspect a little sound must be normal.

Is there a good way to check the condition of the rear tri link ball joint without putting the jeep in the air?

tommudd · **Posted:** Thu Feb 17, 2011 6:34 pm

Use a pry bar or long screwdriver to try and pry up on the tri link at the rear

mtnclimbr · **Joined:** Thu Feb 03, 2011 3:36 am **Posts:** 15

I think I found the source of the noise. Servicing the rear differential last week I noticed a fair bit of play in the spider gears - a vid is here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E39DDxZ6LwI

Local independent jeep guy says this is not unusual for the liberty since the housing is apparently softer than the pin holding these gears. He recommended doing nothing as long as I am near the stock tire size. I thought I'd post the update and see what the general wisdom and experience is here.

The mechanic also recommended NOT using synthetics in this case. I'm trying the 75-140 weight oil this time, with the warm weather, off road, and frequent long trips.

tommudd · **Posted:** Sat Sep 10, 2011 4:47 pm

Quite a few don't run synthetics in the diffs
I don't and haven't in the KJ

JeepinJarhead03 · **Posted:** Sat Sep 10, 2011 8:51 pm

non-synth is actually better for the shear in our diffs - just make sure ya put in friction mod if you've got a lsd

additionally.. if you're froadin it.. you're changing the fluid more often due to contamination threats.. and lose the "long life.." aspect of the synth

Slip yoke binding or just noisy?

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