Drive Train noise?

[Pythagoras]

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.

[Dragonmaster]

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.

[hps4evr]

might be a bad u-joint in the front axles... or  front driveshaft. check that first id say.

[Pythagoras]

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?

!

[LanceM]

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.

[BlackYJ]

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.

[Pythagoras]

Ah, yes....I bet the year/model would help. :oops: ...It's a 1998 TJ....Thanks.

[LanceM]

Were talking about a u joint in the drive shaft aren't we?

[Pythagoras]

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...