What's that noise?

[stuart]

Recently my '88 GW started making a strange noise when I accelerate quickly from a stop going either straight or left. This also occurrs when I hit a sharp rise in the road too quickly, like when you cross a railroad track that isn't level with the street. I can only describe the sound as a low grind noise or something similar to a something interfering with a fan. I've inspected the fan and the radiator, shroud etc and can't see any wear. Could this be coming from the drivetrain any where? Any suggestions. The sound is loud enough and scary enough to get the attention from pedestrians nearby when it happens

[Iron Horse]

I bet it's one or both of your motor mounts that have failed. Mine did the same thing, same noises.

You can check them by placing a jack with a chunk of 2x8,2x10 etc. on the jack, under the oil pan and verrrry carefully jacking the motor up. You want the 2x wood there to spread the load over as large a area as possible on your oil pan. Once you have the motor lifted up, look under there at the mounts....if the rubber is cracked or ripped in the middle....they're toast.

To change them out, lift the motor the same way and unbolt old, bolt-in new. Pretty straight forward repair. The nuts are usually well lubricated on a jeep so they come out easy.

[Bob Barry]

Your left-side motor mount is broken, allowing the fan to contact the shroud. Replacement is under $15 at most parts stores. Probably a good idea to do the other side while you're at it.

Just make sure the thread on the studs on the replacement mount match the thread of the nuts you'll use to mount them; many aftermarket use coarse-thread studs, while the factory mounts and nuts use fine-thread ones.