Groaning, grinding noise from rear.

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

Jonathan Willis

New Member
Joined
Dec 21, 2021
Messages
8
Reaction score
0
Hi, I have a 2002 Cherokee Limited KJ, 3.7L Automatic.
After a drive of half an hour or so, when pulling away, a groaning grinding noise can be heard from the rear of the Jeep. It's more pronounced when turning at the same time and can feel a slight vibration too.
There doesn't appear to be any play in the wheel bearings, pushing hard with my foot the wheels doesn't make any such noise and the centre of the wheels are stone cold.
I've had a feel of the differential cover and that feels quite warm. I was able to top up the differential with the correct fluid, it took just over a litre. I've not been able to get right under the Jeep to check the drive shaft joint yet.
The problem doesn't occur on short runs around town, only after longer trips.
Any help and advice much appreciated.
Thanks, Jon.
 

Jonathan Willis

New Member
Joined
Dec 21, 2021
Messages
8
Reaction score
0
Hi, I have a 2002 Cherokee Limited KJ, 3.7L Automatic.
After a drive of half an hour or so, when pulling away, a groaning grinding noise can be heard from the rear of the Jeep. It's more pronounced when turning at the same time and can feel a slight vibration too.
There doesn't appear to be any play in the wheel bearings, pushing hard with my foot the wheels doesn't make any such noise and the centre of the wheels are stone cold.
I've had a feel of the differential cover and that feels quite warm. I was able to top up the differential with the correct fluid, it took just over a litre. I've not been able to get right under the Jeep to check the drive shaft joint yet.
The problem doesn't occur on short runs around town, only after longer trips.
Any help and advice much appreciated.
Thanks, Jon.
I've had to write " pushing hard with my foot" because " hard " and "on " wasn't allowed.
What ever next ?
 

tommudd

Moderator
Staff member
Moderator
Joined
Jul 14, 2005
Messages
22,456
Reaction score
3,642
Location
Southeastern Ohio
Do you have limited slip rear diff ?
The fluid may need changed with correct additives
Also after driving it a while 20-30 mintes get under and put your hand on both u joints, if hot they are bad
Then also could be the emergency brake shoes that have came loose or worn out and grinding
Start there
 

Jonathan Willis

New Member
Joined
Dec 21, 2021
Messages
8
Reaction score
0
Do you have limited slip rear diff ?
The fluid may need changed with correct additives
Also after driving it a while 20-30 mintes get under and put your hand on both u joints, if hot they are bad
Then also could be the emergency brake shoes that have came loose or worn out and grinding
Start there
Thanks for the advice.
It may seem like a dumb question but how do I tell what kind of diff I've got ?
 

tommudd

Moderator
Staff member
Moderator
Joined
Jul 14, 2005
Messages
22,456
Reaction score
3,642
Location
Southeastern Ohio
The easiest way to tell if you have an open differential is to jack up the car and spin one of the rear tires. If the other wheel spins in the opposite direction, you have an open differential. If it spins in the same direction, you have a limited slip differential

Or submit your VIN and check that way, although if someone along the way have switched out the rear diff, then ....LOL
Like my 03 , I have had 3 ( plus the original ) rear diffs in it so far , due to building them ( gears and lockers ) , selling them , etc :eek::p:cool:
 

Jonathan Willis

New Member
Joined
Dec 21, 2021
Messages
8
Reaction score
0
The easiest way to tell if you have an open differential is to jack up the car and spin one of the rear tires. If the other wheel spins in the opposite direction, you have an open differential. If it spins in the same direction, you have a limited slip differential

Or submit your VIN and check that way, although if someone along the way have switched out the rear diff, then ....LOL
Like my 03 , I have had 3 ( plus the original ) rear diffs in it so far , due to building them ( gears and lockers ) , selling them , etc :eek::p:cool:
Thanks for your help, hopefully I'll get round to having a look this weekend.
 

EricNorton

New Member
Joined
Oct 26, 2021
Messages
18
Reaction score
6
Location
Mi
Check the rear pinion seal I had similar symptoms and it was because I was low on oil in the rear diff because my seal broke so my rear diff would catch and bind then free up causing me to increase the amount of pressure I put on the gas pedal. I was told is normal with lifted vehicles due to the pinion angle being increased which can increase pressure on portions of the seal.
 

LibertyTC

Well-Known Member
Staff member
Moderator
Joined
Oct 24, 2008
Messages
9,081
Reaction score
1,747
Location
B.C. Canada
An open carrier does Not need an additive, however the limited slip or known as a Trac-Loc does require the 4 oz bottle of Mopar limited slip additive.
Type in your VIN # here https://fcacommunity.force.com/RAM/s/equipment-listing
& see if yours needs the limited slip additive. It should be listed in build sheet as Trac-Loc.
What weight/brand of gear oil are you adding? We recommend using DINO gear oil not synthetics.
Note the rear diff service requires removing the cover every 35-40 k miles. You can then inspect for wear & look for metal shavings on magnet.
It should be filled enough so that the level is just at the fill plug, with no more leaking out on level ground.
Is it leaking at the cover seal or pinion seal?
The 02 factory service manual can also help you. http://www.colorado4wheel.com/manuals/Jeep/KJ/2002JeepKJServiceManual.pdf
 

Attachments

  • Mopar LS Additive2.jpg
    Mopar LS Additive2.jpg
    294.7 KB · Views: 6
Last edited:

Jonathan Willis

New Member
Joined
Dec 21, 2021
Messages
8
Reaction score
0
Check the rear pinion seal I had similar symptoms and it was because I was low on oil in the rear diff because my seal broke so my rear diff would catch and bind then free up causing me to increase the amount of pressure I put on the gas pedal. I was told is normal with lifted vehicles due to the pinion angle being increased which can increase pressure on portions of the seal.
Thanks for your reply. The Jeep is the standard height but I will check that out, along with everything else in there.
 

Jonathan Willis

New Member
Joined
Dec 21, 2021
Messages
8
Reaction score
0
An open carrier does Not need an additive, however the limited slip or known as a Trac-Loc does require the 4 oz bottle of Mopar limited slip additive.
Type in your VIN # here https://fcacommunity.force.com/RAM/s/equipment-listing
& see if yours needs the limited slip additive. It should be listed in build sheet as Trac-Loc.
What weight/brand of gear oil are you adding? We recommend using DINO gear oil not synthetics.
Note the rear diff service requires removing the cover every 35-40 k miles. You can then inspect for wear & look for metal shavings on magnet.
It should be filled enough so that the level is just at the fill plug, with no more leaking out on level ground.
Is it leaking at the cover seal or pinion seal?
The 02 factory service manual can also help you. http://www.colorado4wheel.com/manuals/Jeep/KJ/2002JeepKJServiceManual.pdf
Thanks for your reply, we haven't had the Jeep long and I haven't had a chance to get the cover off yet. I did however lift the rear up and found that it is equipped with limited slip differential and I'll double check the fluid I've bought.
 

Big Al

Let's get Cracken
Joined
Jul 26, 2020
Messages
178
Reaction score
90
Location
Vancouver,B.C.
I just recently bought my Liberty too and noticed a humming noise on the highway from the rear end.
Opened mine up and found the spider gears were a bit chewed up (spalling) like these pictures.
Need to change them out when I get around to it also.
Check for this when you open yours up.
Mine is a limited slip also.
 

Attachments

  • 20180922_123216.jpg
    20180922_123216.jpg
    187.6 KB · Views: 16
  • 20180922_123234.jpg
    20180922_123234.jpg
    159.5 KB · Views: 16

Jonathan Willis

New Member
Joined
Dec 21, 2021
Messages
8
Reaction score
0
I just recently bought my Liberty too and noticed a humming noise on the highway from the rear end.
Opened mine up and found the spider gears were a bit chewed up (spalling) like these pictures.
Need to change them out when I get around to it also.
Check for this when you open yours up.
Mine is a limited slip also.
Thanks for your reply, looks like there's plenty to check out in there. Oh well, there's a first time for everything, just hope it doesn't cost too much.
 

Latest posts

Members online

Top