more 4x4 woes

ok, i posted a while back about noise coming from the 4x4(transfer case). well, it came back..... i rolled down the window, and its coming from right under the drivers door. sounds like a chain rubbing or grinding on metal, almost like clicking, however, not cv clicking sound(i know what cv clicking sounds like, this is not that sound). it only does this when in 4x4(hi or lo, don't matter). i have the part time 4x4. the jeep is an 2003 sport, 88k. is the transfer case on the outs? i have to take it to the stealership tomorrow after class and have them look at it. i'm still under warrenty so i'm not too worried about it.

Hmm, sounds like a transfer case problem to me. Good luck.

sounds like loose pieces rattling in the tcase

Sounds like you have front diff problems... I had them last winter season and like you I noticed them only when in 4WD (part/full/Lo). The end came when I pulled off a side street onto a main road it finally "let loose" with a horribly loud crack followed by metal crunching/grinding. I instantly slammed it into 2WD and managed to limp it back to a nearby parking lot (still lots of grinding but less than 100 yards traveled). All said and done, it cost me $460. Way cheaper than a $4500 new transfer case (parts only, labor extra) that I got quoted by some rip-off mechanics. I'd start your search there, can't hurt.

4Factor, how is that a front diff issue?

The KJ's front axle is engaged at all times. So, be it in 2wd or 4wd, the front halfshafts, diff, and driveshaft are spinning if the KJ is moving (unless you're doing a crazy wheelstand )

So, whether it's in 2wd or 4wd, there's really no change in the front drivetrain. The only change occurs in the transfer case.

Sounds to me like the original poster has an issue in the transfer case.

Front drive shaft. Happens all the time..

4Factor said:

Sounds like you have front diff problems... I had them last winter season and like you I noticed them only when in 4WD (part/full/Lo). The end came when I pulled off a side street onto a main road it finally "let loose" with a horribly loud crack followed by metal crunching/grinding. I instantly slammed it into 2WD and managed to limp it back to a nearby parking lot (still lots of grinding but less than 100 yards traveled). All said and done, it cost me $460. Way cheaper than a $4500 new transfer case (parts only, labor extra) that I got quoted by some rip-off mechanics. I'd start your search there, can't hurt.

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Atrus said:

4Factor, how is that a front diff issue?

The KJ's front axle is engaged at all times. So, be it in 2wd or 4wd, the front halfshafts, diff, and driveshaft are spinning if the KJ is moving (unless you're doing a crazy wheelstand )

So, whether it's in 2wd or 4wd, there's really no change in the front drivetrain. The only change occurs in the transfer case.

Sounds to me like the original poster has an issue in the transfer case.

Click to expand...

Sounds like 4factor had a bad front Drive Shaft also. $460 is about how much they cost and it takes 20min to change it out.

JeepJeepster said:

Front drive shaft. Happens all the time..
Sounds like 4factor had a bad front Drive Shaft also. $460 is about how much they cost and it takes 20min to change it out.

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Atrus... nothing wrong with your approach to diagnosis, I just suggested starting to look at a cheaper alternative.
I talked more in depth with my mechanic about it the other day, and he said that it was (as JeepJeepster said) a front axle that blew apart at the front diff. The diff survived unscathed but the end of the axle was completely destroyed. JeepJeepster was also right about the time, I was only billed for 1/2 hour labor plus the part.

So it may have quacked like a duck, but without further evidence, it might not be a duck!

JeepJeepster said:

Front drive shaft. Happens all the time..





Sounds like 4factor had a bad front Drive Shaft also. $460 is about how much they cost and it takes 20min to change it out.

Click to expand...

x2

just joined the site to gt some answers about the chain draggin noise in my gurls liberty and I found that I am not alone...looks like im getting a front drive shaft to start ..take it from there..ive heard front diff as well..same problem, only in 4wheel dr does it sound like metal on metal...however..in 2wheel drive it sounds like a meat slicer..with a muffler!!..loud...but not that clanking sound you get in 4wheel..ill be on the hunt for a drive shaft place out here in socal...prices vary so much..from 500 on down..a little reasearch goes a long way..thanks..ill update