I'm a bit of a newbie here but have been wrenching on Jeeps for a long time. My wife's '03 KJ started making the popping/rattling sound just yesterday when driving it around in Full-Time 4wd due to the ice and snow we just got here in OK.
When you take the transfer case out of 4wd and just run it in 2wd the noise goes away. Immediately I thought CV joint/axle but haven't dealt w/this on her KJ in the past... only on front wheel drive Hondas and such.
So after doing lots of internet and message board research it sounds like we've been quick fortunate to make it this long as her KJ has $160K miles on the odometer and none of the CV joints/axles have failed yet.
Due to the fact it only makes this noise in 4wd makes me think it's one of the CV Axles and not the driveshaft, but I'd like some confirmations or corrections f/those who've done this before. I haven't had a chance to crawl under the rig yet since this started but changed the oil last weekend and didn't notice any of the rubber boots in bad shape or any grease leaks out of the norm. Any tips for checking which CV joint might be bad or should I change both Drivers and Passengers w/the mileage we have? I've read several how-to's but none of them specified if doing the drivers/passenger side axles were any different or they're both the same removal/install procedure.
Any help is appreciated as I don't like going at a problem blindly when it comes to mechanics.
Thanks.
When you take the transfer case out of 4wd and just run it in 2wd the noise goes away. Immediately I thought CV joint/axle but haven't dealt w/this on her KJ in the past... only on front wheel drive Hondas and such.
So after doing lots of internet and message board research it sounds like we've been quick fortunate to make it this long as her KJ has $160K miles on the odometer and none of the CV joints/axles have failed yet.
Due to the fact it only makes this noise in 4wd makes me think it's one of the CV Axles and not the driveshaft, but I'd like some confirmations or corrections f/those who've done this before. I haven't had a chance to crawl under the rig yet since this started but changed the oil last weekend and didn't notice any of the rubber boots in bad shape or any grease leaks out of the norm. Any tips for checking which CV joint might be bad or should I change both Drivers and Passengers w/the mileage we have? I've read several how-to's but none of them specified if doing the drivers/passenger side axles were any different or they're both the same removal/install procedure.
Any help is appreciated as I don't like going at a problem blindly when it comes to mechanics.
Thanks.