xj probs... popping noise...help

N-Smooth

Smooth Gang Founding Member
Location
UT
okay so i finally got my steering from jr yesterday and after i tapered out the pitman i put it on. that was the last thing i was waiting on cause i got my drivelines last week and i got my spacers on too.
so i go to drive it for the 1st time in a year and it makes this popping sound. it did this last year, it is a loud pop that comes from the frontend. i figured it was my d30 being gay and i got rid of that axle so i figured my problems were over. well i need to investigate it more, but it is as follows...
it mainly happens in 4wd, i have only heard it once in 2wheel,
it sounds like it might be in the t-case, like the chain is loose or something but it didn't seem that way when i installed my teralow, it happens more when i am turning, but it does it every now and then regardless of whether or not the wheels are turned. it is a loud and harsh noise and vibe... it really clunks i am telling you. it cannot be the axle, since it has a new gear set and is not the previous axle. it happens most when the hubs are in fact locked.
sorry i used so a sloppy format for providing the information, but i am thinking as i type.
my dad thinks it is my steering box, and that would sort of make sense because there is more strain on the box when in 4wd then 2wd that would explain why it does it in 4wd.
i need to investigate it more, i think i am going to hang onto the front of my jeep while a friend drags me around and i will listen next to the gear box.


oh yeah, the jeep is so huge and badass to drive, regardless of the problems i still have... it rides so bumpy without shocks and with brand new springs (and leafs up front)... i need to work on that. and my brakes are all soft even though i bled them twice! i need to install my centerforce also... but it is a BIG JEEP! i will add some pics later, right now i am going to drive it around my circle like a million times.

thanks for any help you can provide,
nate
 

N-Smooth

Smooth Gang Founding Member
Location
UT
haha no one will reply cause they don't want to read the whole thing...

i just had my friend drive it in reverse while it did it and the front driveshaft was hesitating when it would pop. i figure it is probably the chain is messed up, or maybe a bad bearing. it is only the frontend that does it so maybe it is the front output bearing, or something easy. hopefully i can get parts from the junkyards but i dunno. it is a 231 t-case behind a manual tranny and a 4cyl. do the parts changeover from a 6cylinder 231? my uncle says he thinks they do, but i am not so sure. any jeep t-case experts please chime in on the requirements of swapping parts.

thanks again,
nate
 

Herzog

somewhat damaged
Admin
Location
Wydaho
Definately sounds like the T-Case chain to me.

I recall finding a new one for about $60. It's way easy to change too.
 

Herzog

somewhat damaged
Admin
Location
Wydaho
And yeah, you can swap parts from on np231 to another. Usually the only difference is the input splines.
 

Fuller

Formerly limegrnxj
Location
Riverton
check your motor mounts.

Me and a friend both had this problem were we would get a loud popping noise when in 4 wheel drive and we thought it was the transfer case or the front ring and pinion. It ended up being some really shot motor mounts. What’s happening is the rubber is all the way gone and the bolt that goes through the mm it hitting the metal surrounds.
 

N-Smooth

Smooth Gang Founding Member
Location
UT
hmmm... there is no way it is the motor mounts, thanks for the tip though.

i am really confused about what it is... if it is the t-case chain, why wouldn't it do it in 2wd? ahhhhhhhhh it makes me mad! it has to be something with just the front output, don't ya think?
i will find out on fri or saturday anyway when i take the tranny and t-case out to install my clutch. but don't you think it would suck if i take it out and don't know what is wrong with it? maybe i should take it somewhere, no screw that. it would way suck to think i fixed it and put it back in and then pop, pop, pop!!!

anymore ideas anyone???

thanks,
nate
 
Location
Murray
I call that xj-ness, mine makes those happy little poping noises all the time. I think I read somewhere they're to let you know it's a jeep.

On second thought, it sounds like the chain to me, I haven't ever heard a bearing make a poping noise. What's it do around corners?
 
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Herzog

somewhat damaged
Admin
Location
Wydaho
Originally posted by xj_punk

i am really confused about what it is... if it is the t-case chain, why wouldn't it do it in 2wd?

If it is the chain, it won't make that noise in 2wd because there is no drivetrain bind and the chain is out of gear.
 

N-Smooth

Smooth Gang Founding Member
Location
UT
no it is not the unibody creaking, i don't even blink at that.

see but if it is the chain, why does it only do it on the front output shaft and not the rear?

it gets worse when i turn, in fact it basically only does it when i turn or if there is some resistance, like climbing something. i guess i could take apart the t-case and have a look at it and get some other opinions as well. if it is the chain i will just buy a new one.

on a good note, the spool in the rear is so badass, when i barely turn it starts to chirp, when i back down my driveway it chirps. i have never felt a locker be that tight. i drive it around my block and around my neighborhood when i get home from work to break in the t-case gears and diffs... it is fun and it has so much pull with the lower gears (even with the big tires).

-nate
 

N-Smooth

Smooth Gang Founding Member
Location
UT
good point about the chain in 2wd...what the hell was i thinking?

that is why i love sami t-cases...gears gears and more gears!!

i think i will hook up with my discount from lhm jeep and get a new chain tomorrow and put it in saturday. i am stoked to take out the tranny and t-case and put in my centerforce... it should be fun!
 

Herzog

somewhat damaged
Admin
Location
Wydaho
Originally posted by xj_punk
good point about the chain in 2wd...what the hell was i thinking?

that is why i love sami t-cases...gears gears and more gears!!

i think i will hook up with my discount from lhm jeep and get a new chain tomorrow and put it in saturday. i am stoked to take out the tranny and t-case and put in my centerforce... it should be fun!

I was waiting for you to catch on to that. :D That's why I don't run a chain driven t-case either. :p :D

I'm almost without a doubt that the chain is the suspect. You'll notice a huge difference in tension when you pull the old one out and put the new one in.

:cool:
 

N-Smooth

Smooth Gang Founding Member
Location
UT
dropping it today hopefully, as long as my stupid friend will come over like he said. i always work on my heep by myself. which is okeay when i am doing most stuff... bgut i dont want to drop the t-case and tranny together until he gets here, especially since i don't even have a transmission jack haha.

i'll get it done.

-nate
 

N-Smooth

Smooth Gang Founding Member
Location
UT
i just got the t-case and tranny out. i took the tranny apart and yes the chain feels loose, but so does the new one right out of the box. are they just designed to be kinda loose? the new one is not as loose, but it still fits over both shafts with a little bit of room. i am going to take some pics if anyone will look at them... anyone that knows a lot about chaindriven t-cases. maybe the shafts are worn down, i doubt it though, they are some hard stuff.

on the tranny subject, it looks like i need a new clutch throwout bearing. my clutch actually looks good, except for a little finger wear, which the other one i have to put in has anyway. plus the one in there is a centerforce as well and the fingers aren't bent at all.

it also looks like i might be replacing the rear main seal while i have this apart and i will overhaul the oil pan. i am going to steam clean everything too and put some paint on the oil pan. tranny and t-case will just look good just clean.

let me know if you want to see pics, i will go take them right now, but i am not going to post them if no one will look at them. maybe i will have to make a new thread, let me know.

-nate
 
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