Front end noise

[macdad626]

Hey everyone my girlfriend has a 95 cherokee and we have recentley been noticing a clunk clunk in the font end feels like metal is binding up on other metal.. but only when you hit the gas. And it is really bad when turning the wheel to the right side but again only when you hit the gas. any ideas would be helpfull thanks in advance
Justin
2002 proud wrangler owner

[Gabewatt]

sounds like a u-joint issue

[Jeepme]

I agree, it does sound like a u-joint issue. I would suspect the right side front axleshaft u-joint as the symptoms you describe seem to occur while you are turning right. Put it up on jackstands and visually check each drive shaft u-joint while you try to turn the shaft to the right and left by hand. You will probably see the bad joint move inside it's bearing cups. Check the axleshaft u-joints (located right behind the steering knuckle on each side) by watching them while someone turns the tire forward and backward by hand. Try with the wheels turned to the right and left as well as straight. Of course, all tests are done with the engine off.

[macdad626]

Thanks Guys For The Input I Suspected The U Joint Too But Had To Hear It From Someone Else. I Will Do Like You Said To Inspect It And Will Report Back. Thanks Again
~justin

[broadbeltre]

Unless you have a press at home, you don't want to do it. Also, there are little "teeth" and you have to be careful to line them up.

[Ray H]

Originally Posted by broadbeltre

Unless you have a press at home, you don't want to do it. Also, there are little "teeth" and you have to be careful to line them up.

A press isnt needed, a vice is all thats really needed but it can be done with sockets and a hammer(the sockets are usually trash afterwords) in a pinch. There are also u-joint tools that are designed for this purpose. There are also a few little tips and tricks to changing axle ujoints but its nothing an average DIYer cant handle.
Im not sure what "teeth" you are talking about.

[broadbeltre]

inside the ujoint are ridges that is what I meant by "teeth"

[Ray H]

Originally Posted by broadbeltre

inside the ujoint are ridges that is what I meant by "teeth"

Those arent "ridges or teeth", theyre needle bearings. You do have to be careful because they dont always stay stuck to the inside wall of the cap.

[Jeepme]

Ray H is right. This is not that hard to do and you do not need a press. Go to www.pirate4x4.com/tech/ujoint_install/
for a series of pics of someone doing a u-joint on a Land Cruiser. The process is the same for any u-joint. I've done a bunch of them on all kinds of vehicles and haven't had a problem. The only difference may be that some have C clips on the inside of the cups and some have snap rings on the outside of the cups. Most repair manuals have pics showing u-joint repair also. Haynes shows how to use a big vice to press them in. Like Ray H says, make sure the needle bearings stay in place also, do not get any dirt in the cups where the bearings are.