Jeep front axle noise

[Mud_Limo]

Ok, I've got a 93 Grand Laredo, 4.0 I-6, selectrac 4wd (4wd part time, full time, & 4-lo), Automatic. When I have 4wd engaged and I'm turning the wheel or when there is more load on the front axle than flat ground (i.e.-hill climb or deep mud) you can hear a popping or cracking sound from the axle. The turning the wheel makes me think that one/both of the universals are bad, but I've checked them and they don't leak, have plenty of grease, and don't have any play.
However, the Front driveline has some play, and I can hear a click coming from the front diff. But I've heard that some play is normal, to prevent shocks to the system or something like that. I've had the diff cover off, and there's no shrapnel in the fluid, or any visible damage to the gears that I could see. So, do I have bad spider gears, or a turned axle shaft, or what? The u-joints in the driveshaft are fine too, no play whatsoever. The thing is, 4wd works fine, and I have no problem getting into or out of trouble with it. It just makes a lot of noise when it's under a load.
I'm not bad with cars, I'm actually usually pretty damn good, but this one's got me stumped. Help!!!

PS- no oversized tires or anything, just standard 235's.

[ropo]

Originally Posted by Mud_Limo

Ok, I've got a 93 Grand Laredo, 4.0 I-6, selectrac 4wd (4wd part time, full time, & 4-lo), Automatic. When I have 4wd engaged and I'm turning the wheel or when there is more load on the front axle than flat ground (i.e.-hill climb or deep mud) you can hear a popping or cracking sound from the axle. The turning the wheel makes me think that one/both of the universals are bad, but I've checked them and they don't leak, have plenty of grease, and don't have any play.
However, the Front driveline has some play, and I can hear a click coming from the front diff. But I've heard that some play is normal, to prevent shocks to the system or something like that. I've had the diff cover off, and there's no shrapnel in the fluid, or any visible damage to the gears that I could see. So, do I have bad spider gears, or a turned axle shaft, or what? The u-joints in the driveshaft are fine too, no play whatsoever. The thing is, 4wd works fine, and I have no problem getting into or out of trouble with it. It just makes a lot of noise when it's under a load.
I'm not bad with cars, I'm actually usually pretty damn good, but this one's got me stumped. Help!!!

PS- no oversized tires or anything, just standard 235's.

It might be the track bar, I just replaced mine when I heard noise coming form the front suspension. The track bar basically keeps the axle centered with the chassis and prevents lateral movement between the alxe and the chassis. If the bar is loose, then it will be noisey and the car might experience some unwanted lateral movement.

[dksob81]

Originally Posted by Mud_Limo

Ok, I've got a 93 Grand Laredo, 4.0 I-6, selectrac 4wd (4wd part time, full time, & 4-lo), Automatic. When I have 4wd engaged and I'm turning the wheel or when there is more load on the front axle than flat ground (i.e.-hill climb or deep mud) you can hear a popping or cracking sound from the axle. The turning the wheel makes me think that one/both of the universals are bad, but I've checked them and they don't leak, have plenty of grease, and don't have any play.
However, the Front driveline has some play, and I can hear a click coming from the front diff. But I've heard that some play is normal, to prevent shocks to the system or something like that. I've had the diff cover off, and there's no shrapnel in the fluid, or any visible damage to the gears that I could see. So, do I have bad spider gears, or a turned axle shaft, or what? The u-joints in the driveshaft are fine too, no play whatsoever. The thing is, 4wd works fine, and I have no problem getting into or out of trouble with it. It just makes a lot of noise when it's under a load.
I'm not bad with cars, I'm actually usually pretty damn good, but this one's got me stumped. Help!!!

PS- no oversized tires or anything, just standard 235's.

I had a 94 (R.I.P. - wrecked it about a month ago,looking for a new one) Grand Cherokee V8 w/ quadra-trac (all-time 4WD) and I got the exact same noise everytime I would turn up my street, replaced all balljoints, steering components, Wheel bearings (twice) and axleshafts (twice). And still had the noise, at first it was just a low sounding klunk/pop, then it turned into a clicking/klanking noise which started to happen everytime I would pull in or out of my drive and it turned from a 1 time pop to sometimes klanking a couple times. I traced it for the past prolly close to 2 years and could never figure it out, I checked the control arms and every bracket I could see on the fornt end for cracks or any damage, spent 4 hours with it on the lift at work trying to find something wrong but I couldn't. I know I needed to rebuild my front axle b/c of the normal whinning/whirring and I have the kit to do it but just never had the time. Had the diff cover off and the diff case and pinion shaft out a few times checking for any damage but never seen any. I couldn't tell you what it is, but if you do happen to find the source please share your results.

Joe