clunk/bump in suspension?

[Joshua Cox]

I have a 1996 Cherokee with 57,000 miles on it. There is a clunking sound in the middle to rear of the rig when the load on the suspension changes such as going through a dip in the road...potholes usually aren't enough to cause it. It sounds like the suspension, but I'm not sure. There is maybe 1/8" -3/16" play in the driveline from side to side. Is it possible that this is a driveline problem?

[tblack]

The driveline play is normal, the clunk is normal. Its Ok, really, Jeeps make these noises. Only 57,000 miles? It's not even broken in yet. That's extremely low miles for the age. My advise? Turn the radio up.

tb

[Joshua Cox]

I'm pretty sure the tranny and rear are fine. This couldn't possibly be axle-wrap, could it?

[tblack]

Originally Posted by Joshua Cox

I'm pretty sure the tranny and rear are fine. This couldn't possibly be axle-wrap, could it?

I wasn't going to go into it, but yes, "Axel wrap", "spring back", or whatever else they are calling it these days. I've had that on all my Cherokees. You can fix it, or at least lessen it by removing the drive line and packing a lot of heavy grease in the transmission tail shaft housing. The very front tip of the drive line is banging against the inside of the tail shaft a little when the axel twists back and forth or up and down. Doesn't hurt a thing and drove my old '94 that way for years.

tb

[Joshua Cox]

Thanks for the good advice t.b.! Sounds like you're right on....