Clunk from Front end [Archive] - International Full Size Jeep Association

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Robber80

11-14-2002, 10:53 PM

I've got a driveside drop dana 44 front end. when i'm in low or in 4 high lock, and turn i get a snapping like bang from somewhere in the front end. I had a friend drive my jeep slowly in a circle while i watched the u-joints and axles, when it did the sound i saw the driveside axle move a little bit. any thoughts?

krob725

11-15-2002, 02:40 AM

u-joints :confused:
krob725

Robber80

11-15-2002, 03:26 AM

u joints are good, its a clunk only when there is load on the axle, like if i was spinning the tires in mud or snow, or when i try to drive up something and start to spin, but there is still enough traction to make it clunk

Desert Beast

11-15-2002, 06:53 AM

u have a locker in the front? if so it can be the locker engaging.

Robber80

11-15-2002, 08:15 AM

nope i don't have a locker unfortunetly. There are no manual hubs on my jeep, or vacume, but could there be something with the hub that would be letting go?

11-15-2002, 11:05 AM

It sounds like your u-joints in your axle. mine was doing the same thing and it was the u-joint on the axle shaft.

Robber80

11-15-2002, 02:41 PM

TC,
so it didn't clunk or seem loose unless it was under a lot of load?

Ole' Mud & Guts

11-15-2002, 02:44 PM

I had a similar problem. All my suspension bushings were original, or to say it another way, they were no longer in existance. I replaced all bushings, and the clunk went away. I would hear the clunk when turning. Now, no more clunk, clunk free. Good luck.

Robber80

11-16-2002, 12:01 AM

no i dont' think its that, becasue i haev that clunk too!!! The bushings slide back and forth in my spring hanger on the front. The clunk and snapping soudn i hear is deffenetly a drivetrain problem. Back to the drawing board i go!

andy d

11-16-2002, 12:51 AM

it sounds to me like a u-joint. mine would clink in 2-wd when turning. did that for yrs. when it started clunking in 4-wd i got scared enough to take a look. the u-joint was toast.

11-16-2002, 03:55 AM

Yep it only clunked when I was in four wheel drive and under pressure. I just pulled my wheel off and looked at the ujoint throught the knuckle. with the hubs locked and in four wheel drive, play with the wheel and see if the u-joint is trashed. It might not be bad enough to see. Mine was hammered so I could tell that was it.