4wheel drive problem....need help

Jeep Dawg · **Posted:** Sat Apr 14, 2007 11:11 pm

Guys I need some help.
I noticed the other day when I put my 03 KJ into 4HI, I get a noise comming from the drivers front wheel. It allmost sounds like metal on metal grinding. (NOT THE GRINDING GEARS SOUND WHEN YOU DON'T KNOW HOW TO SHIFT. LOL) but it more or less sounds like it is not fully engaging. But when it is shifted into 4HI and making the noise, it feels like it is actually in 4HI. The jeep handels like it is doing the work of 4wheel.

any suggestions or any one experienced this same issue?

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Sat Apr 14, 2007 11:20 pm

Could be a bad CV joint.. How many miles are on the jeep? Does it do it when you are turning or going straight? What kinda surface are you on when you are in 4hi?

Jeep Dawg · **Posted:** Sun Apr 15, 2007 8:33 pm

i have 89+K miles on it. It makes the noise going STR8, Backwards, Left turn, right turns. And it does not matter what road surface or road conditions I am on. It still makes the noise that I described in the fitst post. I have the same tires all around, proper PSI.

JJsTJ · **Posted:** Sun Apr 15, 2007 9:28 pm

I would bet CV or check the outer hub/bearing assy.

06altacrd · **Posted:** Sun Apr 15, 2007 11:06 pm

Does it make the sound on acceleration on deceleration? Both? I ask because it seems to me the CV's would be turning at all times in 2 or 4, since there is no hub unlock. If it is coming from the front end, it would have to be related to torque being applied, not due to rotation.

I may be off base, but thats how it seems to me.

Neatus · **Posted:** Mon Apr 16, 2007 12:21 am

Just my experience... I had a similar noise and swore it was my right wheel bearing then when I took it apart and found that it was good I thought it must be the CV shaft but then after I took that apart and found it good I thought maybe it was the diff but took that apart and it was good. Put it all back together and it still sounded like the right front wheel area...it was not even close. It was my front drive shaft which also has CV joints. The shaft is near $500 bucks at the dealer.

Sorry for the long run on sentence!

06altacrd · **Posted:** Mon Apr 16, 2007 11:41 am

This is what I was trying to get at, if it only happens in 4, and is related simply to rotation, it would have to be a part that doesn't turn under normal 2wd usage, ie the driveshaft.

Jeger · **Posted:** Mon Apr 16, 2007 1:31 pm

The front driveshaft turns even while in 2wd. Of course the torqe application could make a noise come out of it like mentioned.

Nice choice on your KJ BTW. :wink:

Jeep Dawg · **Posted:** Wed Apr 18, 2007 7:03 pm

Thanks for the replys and info from you all. Sorry it took me so long to get back.

(06altacrd)

Quote:

Does it make the sound on acceleration on deceleration? Both? I ask because it seems to me the CV's would be turning at all times in 2 or 4, since there is no hub unlock. If it is coming from the front end, it would have to be related to torque being applied, not due to rotation.

I may be off base, but thats how it seems to me.

the noise is more noticeable when acceleration. When i am going at a steady speed, you can hear it but it is more tameand kinda goes with the flow then when picking up speed.

Jeep Dawg · **Posted:** Fri Apr 20, 2007 6:49 am

how would you check the CV joints?

psinsyd · **Posted:** Sat Apr 21, 2007 9:04 am

Kinda sounds like the noise mine is making right now too with 82k miles on it. Had it up to Schaumburg Jeep while it was still under warrantly and they said they "couldn't hear anything". They said they even had the tech drive it home that night and he said he couldn't hear anything. I should've asked them to verify the tech has a pulse! :wink:

Anyways, so the noise is now worse, and I'm out of my extended warranty. They did have change the front diff (?) output seal where the front driveshaft comes out of it, as that had a small leak, which sounds like a common theme from here.

How much of a PITA is it to change the front ds?

Thanks!

crash87 · **Posted:** Sat Apr 21, 2007 4:43 pm

Sounds a lot like what happend to me, I tore the cv boot on my front drive shaft, for a while it only made the grinding noise described when engaged, then it started to squeak all the time so I really started to look around, thought it was my transfercase, but it turned out to be the cv on the front drive shaft closest to it, its easy to take out, and as soon as this semester is over I plan on converting to a drive shaft with U-joints.
Hopefully its nothing major in your case, but this was my experience.

Jeep Dawg · **Posted:** Sat Apr 21, 2007 7:10 pm

Hey Crash,

I forgot about a squeaking sound the front wheel made a few weeks ago. That noised when away and now I have this problem.

I should get under the jeep this weekend and look at the CV joint

psinsyd · **Posted:** Sun Apr 22, 2007 12:10 pm

Sounds like a plan. Thanks for the help, guys. I'll crawl under the Jeep when I can also find some time to do so!

4wheel drive problem....need help

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