HELP! Cracking sound in front axle!

Ok, last night I replaced the following items, front rotors, both hub bearings. I removed the axles to check the U-jionts, all looked good.Had those replaced about 2 weeks ago. Now with the weight of the jeep on the ground, wheels turned (either way) slow moving, I hear a very pronounced CRACK when moving, from both sides, usually one side will crack then the other immediatly after. With the Jeep in the air, I can not duplicate the sound, everything "looks" like its moving freely. I tore everything but the hubs down again tonight, retorqued everything and tightened the lug nuts with a 1/2 breaker bar. Still cracking! I wonder if the U-jionts are binding, but wouldn't it bind with weight off the tires? This didn't start happening right away, the wife drove 55+ miles before she heard it. Going straight is fine, just turning! Please help. Also opened up the front :banghead: Diff, the gears look good, no binding there either. The sound is related to speed. Almost like a bad CV jiont. :banghead:

Hi gtmud

Man- if it ain't one thing it's six. don't need the complications for sure!!!

It certainly does sound like cv joints or at least axle/hub related, especially since the sound alternates from side to side.

Didn't you just replace the axles??

Any binding would probably increase under the greater torque required when the wheels are on the ground and you have the rolling resistance plus the weight of the Jeep.

Is there any difference in sound when you back up vs forward??

If you were to loosen the axle nut off and make sure that the splines were loose in the hub, drive it slowly with the wheels turned, that might change the sound slightly if it were axle related. That would also allow you to check for binding in the cv joint when the wheel is turned. Should be able to move it in and out slightly through the splines in the hub.

I feel your pain. It's a bummer when a good job goes bad like this.

JD

Find yourself an empty parking lot to drive the vehicle in a figure eight in forward and reverse. If the clicking occurs in the turns, its higlhy probable that its your CV joints. If so, it's fairly simple process of remove and replace the axles, with new ones. Good Luck

Hi JD....
It was my left carrier bearing in front differential causing the grinding.

ya CD - did you get the bearings changed yet??

JD....got them in hand, just waiting to have the service recall work done first on Monday. The Gear Shop will install for me.

that the one down on blackfoot trail??

Sound is fairly constant at slow speeds ONLY. Forward/reverse the same sound. I thought tonight I would remove the axles altogether, reassemble hub brakes, drive it slow and see if it still "pops". I am wondering if the hub bearings are bad.Suspect the U-jionts. We will find out tonight.

Ken, also go to the Grand Cherokee site. I've posted a thread called " Web Info/links on differentials " about 1/2 way down, also another thread " ................grinding Sounds " there's alot of suggestions and trouble shooting info from others on this forum. Good Luck

Ok, tonight I removed the axles and closely looked at the U-joints. Found the PS to be stiff at the axle portion of the joint. So, replaced both U-joints, paying close attention to any binding. They worked out well, reinstalled, STILL HAVE THAT SAME DAMN NOISE! When I installed the PS, it seemed that the inner bearing was a bit ruff. This I thought "could" be the problem, but have no idea how to get access to it. Do I have to remove the ring gear assembly, if I do, can I just bolt it back in or will it need to be set back up with the dial guauges. That is beyond my abilities and lack of special tools. There is a pronounced growl in the front end, that bearing might just be it. What do you(anyone) think. I called the dealer today, they were baffled too.

You should be abke to unbolt the bearing caps and pry out the gear ass. Then you could check the bearing condition, As for installing new bearings You might not have to do adjustments as long as you dont change the ring and pinion. Keep track of the shims on each side and retorque bearing cap bolts. Again not sure on the shim adjustment on new bearings.

I had the same problem in my 97 XJ (drove it 47k miles in 12 mos. in wonderful NYC traffic). Replaced the left hub bearing and the noise continued, low speed, while going straight, clunking was heard. that was 4 mos. ago. Now it's just humming. I suspect the bearings in the diff. to be smoked.

Ok, tonight I removed the axles and closely looked at the U-joints. Found the PS to be stiff at the axle portion of the joint. So, replaced both U-joints, paying close attention to any binding. They worked out well, reinstalled, STILL HAVE THAT SAME DAMN NOISE! When I installed the PS, it seemed that the inner bearing was a bit ruff. This I thought "could" be the problem, but have no idea how to get access to it. Do I have to remove the ring gear assembly, if I do, can I just bolt it back in or will it need to be set back up with the dial guauges. That is beyond my abilities and lack of special tools. There is a pronounced growl in the front end, that bearing might just be it. What do you(anyone) think. I called the dealer today, they were baffled too.

Hopefully this link will help and encourage you to remove and change the carrier bearing at a more affordable price... One really need a press to remove the bearings..check this link. You can also click on photo's for a real closer look....http://www.4x4wire.com/jeep/tech/axle/lr00a/
Good Luck.........cdlabelle

Here another link...
http://www.jeepaholics.com/tech/lrhubs/default.htm

Ok,
Tomorrow I will get back into it. After Itow it home, I'll open everything up again, and remove the carrier ass. Now The bearings under the caps, those are the only ones, no others? I hope, at 93K this Xj will have a completely rebuilt front end, wish I had the $$ for a lockright. Oh, can you install it into a 2000 Xj with out installing the Warn hub package. Does it affect the driving while in 2wd?
Thanks everyone for your insight. I will let you know how it all turns out.

Only 4 bearings in the diff. The other two are on the pinion. You'll need a 250 ftlb torque wrench, a 50 inch/lb dial torque wrench, a bracket to hold the pinion flange to torque the pinion nut if you want to get into that part.

I take it you are only going to check the carrier bearings though you could replace them without having to redo the gear pattern and backlash. Just put the same shims back in the same side again.

Not sure about the locking diff and warn hubs on that vehicle. Some one else will have a better idea on than I'm sure.

JD

Ok, I really feel stupid. Had the Xj towed( it was upsetting to see it on a roll-back) to the garage. Here to find out the drive line is fine, minus the front shaft needing U-joints. My cracking problem was from the darn balljoints. They said all 4 were shot, about 1/2 inch of play up and down. Well, go figure 93K+, it figures. So they are going to replace them and put an alignment on her, running me about $700!! This is about what I figured. Hope maybe this helps someone else out. By the way, are the CV joint shafts out of a GC, tranferable to the XJ front axle?(Versus U-joints) Thanks for all the help.

Here I go again! The shop replaced all the balljionts, and the pinion seal. Rides much better, but the dam cracking noise is still there! Any ideas?? this is going to be expensive!!!

Try jacking all 4 wheels off the ground with Jack stands and start the Jeep and put in Drive. Try to reproduce the noise as to locate it. Could be bad hub, Axle u Joints, Diff. Bearings I had a bad hub on my Amc Eagle acted the same way.

Here I go again! The shop replaced all the balljionts, and the pinion seal. Rides much better, but the dam cracking noise is still there! Any ideas?? this is going to be expensive!!!

HI, ON THE OLD CJ WITH 2 PIECE REAR AXLE SHAFTS THEY WOULD MAKE CREAK AND CRACKING SOUNDS AS YOU DROVE. TO STOP THEM YOU TORQUED THE HUB NUTS TO 150LBS. THE FRONT AXLE HUB NUTS IF I'M RIGHT ARE TORQUED TO, 175 FT. LBS JUST A THOUGHT DALE [email protected] :smokin: :nono:

Ok, I picked up the Xj monday. WoW! With the new ball joints the frontend is allot tighter and regained a more "Firm" feel of control when driving. However, the dam cracking is still there, not as bad, or as frequent. It is suspension, not drive line. Suspect maybe the hub bearings. Will post findings ina couple days.

You'll love it, because it's so simple. My 91 XJ with 162,000 miles has the same cracking sound. Funny timing, since it only started a few days ago. I too tried getting under the vehicle and checking for loose connections, and it was only after I had my wife hold the brake down and turn the wheels could I find the source: the track bar. It seems that when the wheels were turning under the weight of the vehicle the bolt and bushing would shift in place, producing the cracking. I don't know if the bolt was designed for lateral movement, but it sure enough is making the noise. Some lithium grease stopped the noise, but I'm sure that's not the optimal solution.

Does anyone know if that lateral shift during steering is normal, or do I need to replace the track bar bushings?

Thanks.

Ya know, I thought about that darn thing. When I have time I'll pull it and see what happens. Thanks allot cwhit.