Calgary Jeep Association
4x4 Related Groups => Tech Talk => Topic started by: Pythagoras on October 06, 2007, 07:39:57 PM
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Hi all..
I noticed a noise in my drive train (i think) tonight. It's a kind of clinking noise (like two wrenches hitting together). I was wondering what it could be so I pulled off the road and tried to engage the 4wd....when engaged it moves the jeep but there is an awful clunking sound....and the motion is like its missing a few teeth somewhere....not smooth.....not good...
Anyway, any idea of what this might be? Any idea of the price to fix it? And, most importantly...could anyone recommend a good jeep mechanic in the NE area?
Thanks for your help.
Pythagoras.
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If it's still driving forward smoothly you probably have a u-joint on its way out. If the forward motion isn't smooth you may have a tooth on your ring or pinion that is broken off.
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might be a bad u-joint in the front axles... or front driveshaft. check that first id say.
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Thanks for the input.
From what I read and see in the Jeep I'm gonna need something like a new U-Joint and a front drive shaft....what would be a reasonable price to put something like that in?
Lets say an average Joes Gararge (Zappa!), what range would a guy expect to pay for a job like that?
!
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U joints are around $20 bucks and all you need is a vise, pliers, hammer and a wrench. About a 20 minute job so it shouldn't cost any more than a couple beers.
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Front axles u-joints is not a 20 min job. I shop will probably charge you 3-4 hours to do that work because of the disassembly involved. The actual joint change is about 20 mins. Also DO NOT cheap out on u-joints, get SPICER, and don't get sold on greaseables. Greaseables are great, but you have to grease them. For it is the driveshaft then the work would probably be 1.5-2 hours at a shop.
Also for future reference please list year and model of Jeep.
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Ah, yes....I bet the year/model would help. :oops: ...It's a 1998 TJ....Thanks.
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Were talking about a u joint in the drive shaft aren't we?
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Well, I found out today that it's the transfer case. Apparently there was no fluid in the thing. I checked a recipt from Nov of last year and the 'Lubes 'R Us" recipt says level checked- good. Anyway....transfer cases are not cheap. I did contact the local Jeep parts dealer and was happy to find one at a reasonable price.
Man, sometimes I ask myself if a TJ is really for me...they (well mine at least) is gawd awful in the milage dept...the ride is not really what you call smooth...with 3 guys and a full tank of gas I'm sometimes looking at 2nd gear on some of the bigger hills around here...I've replaced some $1000 gizmo in the steering colum recently and am now looking at another K for a new transfer case....sheesh
On the upside I do like the 4x4 on the occasional times I use it in winter and while fishing. I do like the removable top and the 'look' of the thing.
All in all I'm thinking of a Liberty...