96 Cherokee Sport Noise

When I hit a pothole or the front wheels are at different elevations I'll hear a loud clunk from the front right wheel. It sounds pretty bad but I don't have the cash to get it fixed right now.
I've heard it was the cv joint but I thought that was a clicking noise when you're turning.
I also have a groaning, rubbing, vibrating type of noise coming from the front left wheel from 40 to 60 mph when I am driving on a straightaway. But if the wheel is cocked to the right around a big curve it totally stops and drives fine.

If anyone has any suggestions or knows whats wrong, comments would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks alot guys you are all so much help!!!!! :):):):)

Geez, give it a chance before you get all huffy. Not everyone is online every day.

On the clunk on the front wheel on bumps. Check the sway bar links for tightness and good condition. I know on a couple years of the Wranglers, they used a two part link that degraded over time - it had a knuckle joint in the center that would go bad. The part was about $15 to replace. If yours uses that part it'll be an easy fix.

If it's not the link then have a good look at the other suspension componenet. It's hard to figure what the problem is without hearing the noise or seeing anything. If it's the CV joint you should be able to reproduce some of the noise or movement by putting in 4wd and having a friend watch/listen while shifting back and forth from D to R.(or 1st to Reverse if manual)

For the groaning noise on the other side, my first thought is to ask how long it's been since you rotated your tires? You can get a moaning/groaning sound from tires that haven't been rotated for awhile. Check the outside edge of the LF tire. Run your hand along the tire in one direction, then in the other direction. If it needs to be rotated badly, you'll feel a smooth surface one direction, and blocks of tread in the other, and will probably be able to see some cupping or worn edges.

On the 96, I don't think they use CV joints on the axle. They have open u-joints.
The u-joints only come into play when turning.

How many miles on it?

*I recommend that you jack it up and rotate the wheels and tires and feel for play and compare the two sides, it could be the hub bearings
*Some kind of visual inspection and/or disassembly would be recommended on the left side.
*Check the brakes and brake pads while you are add it.
*rotate the tires front to back and see it it make a difference

If you can report what you have found, I might have some more ideas for you.

Sorry about the last comment guys.

It's an automatic with 213,000 miles.
I jacked up both front wheels and there is about an 1/8" play in left side u joint, and none in the right side.
The tires are fine and have no uneven wear. But neither wheel spins very easily, I'm not sure how easily they should rotate but they don't continue to spin afterwards. it makes a quiet scatching noise when i do spin em.
I think you're right that they don't have a cv joint cuz i cannot find one. Everything else seems tight though.
Any more ideas? thanks.

How are the brakes? Take off a wheel and have a look. If the pads are worn down to nothing, you could have grooves in your rotors.

I was going to mention the brakes also, like Fred did.

Take off both wheels and pry on the pads to loosen them up so you can spin the hubs. Sometimes, the sliders get rusty and the pad sticks and cause a tightness. I have also seen the slider wear and get a groove in it.

Did you look at the brakes? As Fred indicated, maybe they are worn down to rivets or the metal backing.

So, you say the left U_joint is "loose", but does it make a clunking nosie when you rotate the hub, left and right?

If you havent already done so there was a recall on the front rotors so you may want to see if the have been already replaced if not then you get free rotors check with you local jeep dealer and have them check to see if your jeep has already been done

here is the link to check if the recall part has been replaced just enter the last 8 digits from your Vin#

http://www-5.jeep.com/webselfservice/jeep/index.jsp?screenName=recall&country=us&emailUrl=goToEmailForm%28%27R%27%2

UH..unfortunately...he's got 213,000 miles on it...buta...what the hay...

UH..unfortunately...he's got 213,000 miles on it...buta...what the hay...

i dont think there is a mileage restriction mine had 120 k when i got mine replaced

Yep, a recall's a recall as far as I know.

But there may be some kind of statute that indicates a maximum time after purchase.

FYI...from and old post on this forum (thinmints).

Re: 2000 Cherokee Sport Brakes
Quote:
Originally Posted by crys36
was just putting around when I found a RECALL for year 2000 brake rotors. It seemed the salt ate them up and caused them to fracture and explode. Anyone hear of this and do I have any recourse at this point in time.

i have a 96 which i bought a couple of years ago i took my in to the jeep dealership for some work and they told me about the recall on the rotors they went and replaced them FREE of charge so i dont thiink it matters when you bought the jeep if you can take your jeep in have them replace the rotors

Yep, a recall's a recall as far as I know.

But there may be some kind of statute that indicates a maximum time after purchase.


i would run it by the dealer.... they will tell you one way or the other:screwy: