Noisy Jeep KJ 3.7 auto

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hoju99

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Greetings from the UK

I have a 2002 Jeep KJ Limited 3.7 auto that has developed an awful noise on the drivetrain somewhere
does in with the transfer lever in 2wd\4wd full and part time and with the transfer box in neutral
also does it with the auto box in N

Any thoughts?
thanks in advance
 
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TwoBobsKJ

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Wow, that is a NASTY noise :icon_eek:

My first reaction is the CV joint at the transfer case end of the front driveshaft - that thing can produce all kinds of horrible noises when it goes bad. I suggest you remove the front driveshaft completely (your Jeep will run fine without it - don't put it in 4WD though...) and see if the sound goes away. If so there is your answer.

If the sound doesn't go away the next thing to check is the fluid level in both differentials (has the fluid been changed?) to make sure the diffs aren't running dry. If those are fine, check the intermediate shaft on the right side of the front diff. Grab the inner CV axle right at the differential and see if it can be moved around. If it feels loose it could be the end of the intermediate shaft is worn/rounded off.

Post back with results.

Bob
 

nullptr

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Do you feel it 'popping' in the steering?

Wow, that is a NASTY noise :icon_eek:

My first reaction is the CV joint at the transfer case end of the front driveshaft - that thing can produce all kinds of horrible noises when it goes bad. I suggest you remove the front driveshaft completely (your Jeep will run fine without it - don't put it in 4WD though...) and see if the sound goes away. If so there is your answer.

Yeah, that's kind of what I was thinking too.
 

hoju99

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Thanks for the replies, ill get under it at the weekend and check out the fluids and front driveshaft.
Don't really feel any "popping" in the steering
 

hoju99

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Also only had it since October last year and unsure when the fluids were last changed so will replace in the 2 diffs and transfer case
 

hoju99

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Another thing , I have no manual , any useful info on diff\transfer case required fluids and how to drain\fill

cheers for all the help
 

nullptr

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Another thing , I have no manual , any useful info on diff\transfer case required fluids and how to drain\fill

cheers for all the help

You can download a copy of the owners manual from Jeep's website. The oldest they go back is 2004, but it should be the same for the most part.

If that fails, you can get the service manual from here.

Hard to tell, but there are links in both sentences. :)

Here are some links that may be useful:
HOW TO: Check the front driveshaft T-case CV joint
HOW TO: Change transfer case fluid
HOW TO: Change Automatic Transmission Fluid
HOW TO: Change REAR axle fluid
HOW TO: Change FRONT axle fluid
 
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hoju99

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You can download a copy of the owners manual from Jeep's website. The oldest they go back is 2004, but it should be the same for the most part.

If that fails, you can get the service manual from here.

Hard to tell, but there are links in both sentences. :)

Here are some links that may be useful:
HOW TO: Check the front driveshaft T-case CV joint
HOW TO: Change transfer case fluid
HOW TO: Change Automatic Transmission Fluid
HOW TO: Change REAR axle fluid
HOW TO: Change FRONT axle fluid

Star , Cheers
 

hoju99

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Just had a look under the jeep going on your advice,
First check,front driveshaft T-case CV joint , has a split in the rubber and no sign of grease...
 

hoju99

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you guys have been superb,would not have known where to look otherwise
does that look like the right part on UK ebay?
 

TwoBobsKJ

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Another thing , I have no manual , any useful info on diff\transfer case required fluids and how to drain\fill

cheers for all the help

When you open the glove box look for a little slot along the top. That's where Jeep hides the owner's manual. Most new owners miss it and assume the previous owner or dealer removed it. Let us know if you found it ;)

Bob
 

hoju99

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When you open the glove box look for a little slot along the top. That's where Jeep hides the owner's manual. Most new owners miss it and assume the previous owner or dealer removed it. Let us know if you found it ;)

Bob
Nope I did look there as it has a pic of a handbook and an arrow :)
Im daft but not that daft
 

Xodius

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My guess is cv boot was torn and the joint is going bad. My 2002 kj did that and that is what it was. Fairly easy change out.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Ha just read all the posts. Congrats on finding it.
 

hoju99

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Ok update

Part arrived,

Just gone to take off the driveshaft and Transfer case end off no problem and all 6 bolts each end out
gone to pull it out the diff end and have what looks like gear oil or something coming out...have pushed it back in
 

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CactusJacked

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There isn't gear oil in there, that part of the yoke is isolated from the differential. What you may be seeing is the cv grease, likely the end cap came off the cv joint and is wedged into the yoke.
 

hoju99

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There isn't gear oil in there, that part of the yoke is isolated from the differential. What you may be seeing is the cv grease, likely the end cap came off the cv joint and is wedged into the yoke.

just looked very "oily"
it was running out
 

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