Strange clunking in front end

[orpheum13]

i did a search first for clunking in the front end before posting....but think i have some more detail that may get a more direct answer than i saw...My 2000 cherokee sport has got a strange clunking coming from somewhere in the front end. best way to describe it is an elf sitting on the axel smacking things with a stick. it is lound and can be felt in the pedals, floorboards ect.. it does not always happen so i have had great difficulty trying to find the problem. It seems to only happen after a long drive at a steady pace. After i then stop, or slow to say 10-20mph i get the clunk. If i put the slightest bit of pressure on the brakes..it stops right away, but comes back if i take the pressure off. i can accelerate through it and it will go away again. i find it happens more likely when i go from reg. driving to a stop then a turn and continue on slowly, however once it starts turning the wheels does not itensify the prob. I greased everything with a fitting, and checked over my brakes..they seem ok and nothing stands out as looking problematic. i havent checked the trackbar yet, other posts pointed out that could be the culprit. On a side note, in my hanes manual it says to lube u-joints ....or cv joints...cant remember, with a needle adapter on the grease gun. But i can't tell where to put the needle, anyone have info on this...sorry this is long, ive been under the jeep for 3 weekends to no avail so any help woud be great. thank you.

[AlohaBra]

IMO...trackbar first.

You mentioned brakes...take the wheels off an inspect the brakes. I have seen wear on the slider unit for where the brake pads slide on.

Check the engine (motor) mounts.

Check the anti-sway bar bushings.

I presume it is four wheel drive?? Then it could be the u-joints and front driveshaft.

Report back and we can see if myself or others can help you find your problem.

Tip: space your post out and it will be more readable.

[orpheum13]

thanks, sorry about the spacing.

Track bar seems ok.

Swaybar bushings are all brand new, swaybar is in good working order.

Brakes seem ok as well. fresh pads and rotors with less than 1000 miles on them

ive noticed now that aside from the random clunking, the is a low toned vibration at 70mph...could be tire wear (bfg all terrains) but i m not sure..driveshaft maybe. should there be any amount of play in the read shaft where it connects to the TC?

not quite sure how to check u joints. there is no play in them with jeep off the ground. i'll search the forum for more on this.

Are the joints greasable? they have no fittings...but the book says to use a needle adapter on the grease gun.

the one oddity is that the clunking is random....though violent....and can go days without doing it.

Thanks very much for your help

[AlohaBra]

Did you lift it?

The 2000 has a Low Pinion as opposed to HIgh Pinion D30 front axle.

[orpheum13]

yes it has a small 1.5" teraflex lift...shackles in rear, spacers in front. also if it

helps i have a skyjacker steering stabilizer, and jks bar pin eliminators all
around.

the only other things done recently is an oil pan gasket, rear main seal and i fixed the blower motor resistor.

i drove it a bit last night. the vibration starts at 65 and is "bad" at 70....i

switched to 1st gear and went same rpm's as 70, no vibrations. this tells me

it isnt the driveshaft causing the vibes? but maybe it is responsible for the clunking.

althought it hasn't clunked in 3 days....but i haven't driven too much.

thanks

[AlohaBra]

Did you do a transfer case drop?

Bttt...you say it is from the front...not the middle or back?

[MagicRat]

No one has mentioned ball joints, as far as I can see.

My Cherokee has exactly the same symptoms and its problem is excessively worn ball joints.

[orpheum13]

ok, finally had time to get under the jeep....

turns out it was the passenger side caliper..the piston froze. it would go out but no relax enough after applying the brakes.

this caused the pads to "skip" on the rotor, causing the clunking. I got new pads rotors and calipers tonight, will assemble in the morning and let u know if it worked.

also, found that my driver side sway bar link was a bit loose, tightened it up...hopefully this will help with the vibe issue.

if anone else has this clunking in the brakes i'd advise fixin it right away, the notches in the pads began to wear into ther resting mounts (not sure what its called.) could cause some bad damage.

just to reply, no i did not drop the t-case....and the ball joints are fine. Glad this turned into an easy project and not a mess.

thank you both for your help and concern

[Stick89]

An elf sittin on the axle hittin somethin with a stick.... That is sure some mighty fine HI TECH description thar