Nevada Backroaders

I suspect worn u-joints. but maybe bearings somewhere wearing out?

there is a grinding/ whining noise tied to the drivetrain somewhere. you can hear it hear it pretty bad in 2nd, 3rd, and 4th gears and feel and hear it wind down when you slow down.

it's got just about 90k miles on it now.

any ideas?

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ɹǝʌo ǝɯ ןןoɹ sıɥʇ pɐǝɹ uɐɔ noʎ ɟı

Can feel it? sounds like U-joints.
Get under it and grab the driveshaft (best when parked). If you can wiggle it replace the joints. Check both as they both spin while driving.

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WS7BR
2019 Cherokee Trailhawk 2.0T
Rescue Ranger & Training Dummy
I'm not stuck, I'm providing recovery training opportunities!

This does not sound like u-joints. U-joints would vibrate if they were bad. It is either the trany or transfer case.
First thing to do is check the gear oil in the tranny. Then check the oil in the transfer case. The transfer case is the most forgotten thing to check. They use transmission oil and they only hold a a couple quarts.
You may have a bearing going out in one of these.

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Is 3 4X4s too many?
89 YJ [ ] ||||| [ ]
5"Lift 33 M/Ts MM 9000 Winch 4.2L EFI Locked Front and Rear
06 Ram 2500 Quad Diesel
2" Front Lift 315/17 M/T's
01 Ram 2500 Quad cab LB
Diesel 6 Speed
NVBROFC

I agree with the tranny idea. But is it a 4 or 5 speed? Transmissions usually have gears 2-4 on one shaft, and 1 & 5 on another shaft. At least all the 5 speeds I have dealt with were that way. If you don't hear the noise in 1 or 5, just the others, it could be a bearing for that shaft, or the main bearing itself. IIRC the shaft for 1 & 5 creates a different load on the main bearing so it's not as noisy as when you're in 2-4. But it's still there. IIRC 4 speeds have 2-4 on one shaft, and 1 & R on another, so it could be the same issue, just different set-up.

I've had 2 different 5 speeds lose the main bearing and I had the same noise/vibration issues you describe. One exploded on me going to Elko, NV. doing 70 MPH. That was ugly. And expensive. Stupid Dodges.....

Not sure how your T/C is set up (full time turn or disengaged) but if it's engaged all the time, it could be suspect too. I'm spoiled, my T/C's only fully turn when I want them to, so I forget how new fangled 4x4's built by car people work Haven't seen/heard of any main bearings (2HI)going out in a T/C, but I suppose it happens. I know what happens when your rear output shaft retaining nut falls off though

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All Jeep trails had to first be Scouted.

1978 IH Scout II Lifted, locked, blah,blah,blah.
2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee, Her car.
1992 Ford F350 XLT 4x4

well, I couldn't figure it out, so it's at Ted's getting looked at.

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ɹǝʌo ǝɯ ןןoɹ sıɥʇ pɐǝɹ uɐɔ noʎ ɟı

JJ There is a tranny shop in Henderson that does good work and is reasonable. Adams Driveline. They rebuilt my tranny for me and did a good job. I have had no problems for 3 years with it. I don't know what Weins charges just thought you might like some options.

_________________
Is 3 4X4s too many?
89 YJ [ ] ||||| [ ]
5"Lift 33 M/Ts MM 9000 Winch 4.2L EFI Locked Front and Rear
06 Ram 2500 Quad Diesel
2" Front Lift 315/17 M/T's
01 Ram 2500 Quad cab LB
Diesel 6 Speed
NVBROFC

here's an update.

I may have described it wrong in the first post, but that what it sounded like to me.


The right rear wheel has a lot of play in it, like an inch.

so I'm having Ted's tear it down tomorrow.
Maybe the axle shaft snapped somehow?

I heard nothing out of the Jeep on the way back from Bitter Springs or going back and forth from camp to my hotel in Overton.

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ɹǝʌo ǝɯ ןןoɹ sıɥʇ pɐǝɹ uɐɔ noʎ ɟı

Unless you have posi or a rear full time locker, it's likely not snapped. Even with a posi it might not allow you to drive it. Broken axle means no go Joe.

I'm guessing axle bearing failure. 90K on the clock sounds about right for a vehicle that sees decent off roading. You must have decent retaining plates and tapered bearings, as they are likely the only thing holding it together. Some axles use thin plates and ball bearings and when the bearing fails, the axle shoots out

_________________
All Jeep trails had to first be Scouted.

1978 IH Scout II Lifted, locked, blah,blah,blah.
2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee, Her car.
1992 Ford F350 XLT 4x4

so are you saying I got lucky even getting home?

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ɹǝʌo ǝɯ ןןoɹ sıɥʇ pɐǝɹ uɐɔ noʎ ɟı

this sounds like one of the few times you can be greatful a dana 35 has a c-clip holding the shaft into the carrier and the clip didn't break. i've had a full-floating axle on a 1 ton van "walk" it's way out of the axle tube while driving. not a fun thing to look on your side mirror and see the tire about 2 feet outside the wheel well and still coming out. can you say "this is going to leave a mark"

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1994 jeep yj wrangler-"d.d." []lllllll[]
Retired Trail Boss and Website Director
Founder of Uncle Brad's Misguided Children
NVBROFC
Re-located from my beloved Mojave to Texas. Where did all the mountains go???

diff bearing and axle bearing shot.


carrier's gone....joy.

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ɹǝʌo ǝɯ ןןoɹ sıɥʇ pɐǝɹ uɐɔ noʎ ɟı

Good luck. For what it's worth, I've also used Adams in Henderson for regearing, bearing swaps etc and haven't had any trouble with quality or service.

well, got it back today and it drives just as wonderful as before, with a new posi traction lsd. It'll have to be a stopgap until get the stuff I want in there.

I simply couldn't afford the big price tag on what i wanted to do to the Jeep while the rear end was apart, and that ticks me off just a bit.

oh well. I have a functioning vehicle again!


hey Ed, if you read this, I got some ideas for the Magic Garage I wanna run past you.

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ɹǝʌo ǝɯ ןןoɹ sıɥʇ pɐǝɹ uɐɔ noʎ ɟı

If it makes you feel any better: I found out my rear posi in the Bronco was broke in half. So that added to the new posi in front because of the Dana split, a bent housing and bad axle u-joint made for a costly gear swap

_________________
All Jeep trails had to first be Scouted.

1978 IH Scout II Lifted, locked, blah,blah,blah.
2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee, Her car.
1992 Ford F350 XLT 4x4