1998 Jeep Wrangler Grinding noise when going slow

JAMESG0915

MEMBER
1998 JEEP WRANGLER
2.5L
4 CYL
4WD
MANUAL
140,000 MILES

I just started having a terrible noise come from I think the front. I recently got the brakes, rotors, and wheel bearings done and that's not the issue because I still hear the sound. I noticed that the front drive shaft is moving when in 2wd. Is it supposed to move when in 2wd? When I get up to about 45mph it stops. When I get to a stop light and repeat after going 45mph it seems to go away but can hear a lesser grinding noise about 75% less. Really love my jeep and don't want to sell it. Its lifted 3 suspension and 3 body and I love the looks, and off-reading, but now I get weird looks and don't want to take it off road til I fix the problem.

2 Replies

HMAC300

MECHANIC
48,601 POSTS

Have a local pro check out the 4wd box for being engaged when it's not supposed to. Also have him check the axles in front it may be a joint is worn or the suspension may be screwed up due to not being lifted correctly, not saying it is but a lot of people do that.

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Monday, December 15th, 2014 AT 4:24 PM

CJ MEDEVAC

MECHANIC
11,004 POSTS

I COPIED THIS FROM ANOTHER ANSWER I GAVE

I'M NOT FAMILIAR WITH THE NEW STUFF, OR HOW THE FRONT END WORKS AS FAR AS "LOCKING" THE WHEELS IN.

SOME OF IT WAS COMPLETELY MEANT FOR THE FORD TRUCK, THE REST, BEING SORTA GENERIC, SO IF SOME OF IT DON'T SOUND LIKE IT WAS FOR YOU, IT PROBABLY WUDDN'T!

MAYBE SOMETHING ON THIS ORDER IS POSSIBLY YOUR ISSUE?

***PASTING***

IMMA JEEP GUY, CJs ARE MY THING

WERE YOU IN 4X4 DURING THE TIME OF THE GRINDING?

I'M NOT FAMILIAR WITH YOUR FOUR WHEEL DRIVE SET UP

BOTH OF MY JEEPS HAVE MANUAL LOCKING HUBS, IF THEY ARE NOT FULLY ENGAGED ON EITHER SIDE, WHETHER IT BE FROM WEAR/ NOT TURNING THEM FAR ENOUGH/ DIRT/ WATER OR ICE KEEPING THE INTERNALS OF THE HUB FROM FULLY SLIDING OVER THE SPLINES.

WHEN THEY DON'T LOCK, I (AND OTHERS I'VE HELPED OUT) GET THE OLE RATCHETING KINDA GRINDING SOUND.

YOURS MORE THAN LIKELY? HAS AUTOMATIC LOCKING HUBS? BAD THING HERE, IS THERE IS NO "HANDS ON" TURNING, THAT MIGHT CLUE YOU IN ON, "IT AIN'T-A -FEELING RIGHT!". PULL UP/ BACK UP, LET ME SEE IF IT FEELS LIKE IT DROPPED INTO PLACE, MIGHT BE HEARD WHEN A MANUAL HUB IS BEING LOCKED IN BY A COUPLE OF SEASONED JEEP FELLERS

YOU ARE DEPENDENT ON WHAT IT "SHOULD DO" ON IT'S OWN

NOT ONLY THAT, BUT 4X4 IS REALLY NOT 4X4 DURING THIS "ONE WHEEL AIN'T LOCKED" TIME. EVEN THOUGH THE OTHER SIDE IS LOCKED, EVERYTHING MEANT TO TURN 'EM BOTH IS TRANSFERRED ONLY TO THE "SLIPPING WHEEL" OR WHEEL WITH NO TRACTION!

THE JEEP OR RATHER DIFFERENTIAL DON'T KNOW THE DIFFERENCE IN A BROKEN AXLE/ TIRE WITH NO TRACTION/ A HUB NOT LOCKED INTO PLACE/ STRIPPED OUT SPLINES/ AXLE COMPLETELY SNATCHED OUT!

ALL IT KNOWS (DOES MECHANICALLY) IS TO TRANSFER THE POWER TO THE "EZist " SIDE TO TURN. THAT IS, UNLESS YOU HAVE A POSITIVE TRACTION DIFFERENTIAL

IN ALL REALITY, THE EZ SIDE MAY BE TURNING A WHOLE LOT MORE REVOLUTIONS AND THE NOISE IS POSSIBLY "DOUBLED" DUE TO THIS

MAYBE THIS IS A CASE OF CLEANING, LIGHTLY LUBRICATING, AND SEALING (O-RINGS AND SUCH) YOUR HUBS (IF YOURS ARE INDEED AUTOMATIC HUBS)?

KEEP US INFORMED ON PROGRESS

THE MEDIC

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