another mystery noise in the driveline

Hood297 · **Posted:** Thu Jun 12, 2008 9:07 pm

OK

Once again I am hearing an awful noise from underneath the KJ. I already checked every possible thing I can try to make it go away or narrow it down. After about 20 min of forward-reverse, driving fast, driving slow, 2wd, 4wd-pt, 4wd-ft, t-case N, 4wd-LO, turning, starting, stopping, ect. I have determined it is a problem with the 4WD either at the T-case, or front Diff. It doesn't sound far enough forward to be the diff. however.

At about 20 MPH it is the worst, heavy clunking that is clearly heard when driving with windows down, and a good bit of vibration in the cab. I have shifted in and out of 4wd in every way imaginable, checked the linkage underneath to double check its tightness. I have already replaced the front DS less than 10K ago. I checked for excessive play and I found nothing, CV's are intact and seem to be functioning properly.

Any one have any ideas?

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Thu Jun 12, 2008 9:10 pm

Check the rear driveshaft u-joints.

Hood297 · **Posted:** Thu Jun 12, 2008 10:12 pm

Just checked them, not entirely sure what I am looking for exactly, but there is 1/4" or less play when rotating the driveshaft in neutral. and 0 play forwards to backwards. They seem tight and not like they would be making that much noise.

I'm due for a T-case fluid change. Could this be it.

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Thu Jun 12, 2008 11:14 pm

If it your t-case changing the fluid may not help.As far as the rear u-joints just because they seem tight and have no play does not mean they are good since they are non-greaseable.

Hood297 · **Posted:** Thu Jun 12, 2008 11:37 pm

so basically then only way to check is to replace them? I'd be happy to do that, i just really hope its not a t-case problem.

Hood297 · **Posted:** Fri Jun 13, 2008 8:24 am

ok 2003 42RLE and a NP242, which u-joints do i get? any tips? I've done it before but I'd love some advice.

Maximum Carnage · **Posted:** Fri Jun 13, 2008 12:41 pm

Hood297 wrote:

ok 2003 42RLE and a NP242, which u-joints do i get? any tips? I've done it before but I'd love some advice.

I've been eyeballing some of this. But I'm not sure which one fits the Liberty.
http://www.ok4wd.com/index.php/catalog/product/je_reel_waterproof_u_joint/

Jeep Dawg · **Posted:** Fri Jun 13, 2008 1:04 pm

Hood297

I am kinda going though the same issue as you rite now.

I have replaced both CV axels and cleared out some of the problems. Front DS has been replaced. No I am looking at my wheel bearings. The fronts are fine, BUT I feel that one in the rear is going bad.

My problems were at higher speeds 40mph and up

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Fri Jun 13, 2008 6:17 pm

The rear u-joints in a KJ are 1310's.

Hood297 · **Posted:** Fri Jun 13, 2008 10:59 pm

Well... any one got any other ideas of what it could be? replaced both front and rear U-joints on the rear driveshaft... no difference...

The noise is almost certainly in the t-case. It is worse in 2wd than in 4wd, but it is still there. It engages in 4wd-pt 4wd-ft and 4wd-lo fine. It doesn't sound fast enough to be in an axle, wheel, or drive shaft. The clunking at 20-25 mph is about 1-2 times per second...

I am not a happy camper...

And dont want to drop 1K on a new t-case. :shock:

another mystery noise in the driveline

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