wierd groaning sound

[J10Mike]

hi guys,
i was out and about today in my j10 running errands. i started hearing this wierd groaning sound coming from underneath. i only hear it at low speed from 0 to 10 mph. it sounds as if it's coming from behind the cab. it doesn't make any other abnormal sound. possibly wheel bearings? any opinions?

[carrotman]

U-joints or rear wheel bearings? Try greasing the U-joints and sliding sleeve if your's has it. While on the jackstands, try tugging the rear wheels off. If the movement is noticeable, replace the bearings and seals.

[J10Mike]

thanks carrotman. that's what i figured. anybody else have an idea?

[Stuka]

u-joints normaly make a metalic "clink" sound or a squeak kind of sound that cat's make with treads that arent greased.

It can also be the dif bearings, pinion bearings, or the R&P itself may be getting to much slack in them. Didnt you set the dif up yourself mike?

[ February 14, 2004, 08:27 PM: Message edited by: Stuka ]

[J10Mike]

stuka,
i did set up the diff. i used marking compound and the pattern was good. i put new timken bearings on the carrier as well and the pinion felt tight. i know what a failing ujoint sounds like. i'll check them just to rule them out. but, in 23 years of owning jeeps, i have never heard that low toned groan. not a grind...but a groan. like i said, i only hear it at low mph between 0 and 10.

[Bo]

When the wife's 88 made a sound similair to what you are describing it turned out to be the mount for the tranny.

Low speed high torque condition was symptom causing sound.

[J10Mike]

bo,
do you mean the actual tranny mount on the crossmember?

[Stuka]

well my j10 growned before the output bearing on the 208 ate itself, there was no balls left, and it sounded like a meat grinder at any speed heh.

[ February 14, 2004, 11:58 PM: Message edited by: Stuka ]

[J10Mike]

ya...as so far, it's only at low mph. i'll keep that in mind also.

[skunked]

Jogger?

[scotty]

could be rear wheelbearings,or transfer case bearings. you might try running it on jack stands to see if the noice can be duplicated with the wheels off the ground. have someone maintain the throttle while you look underneath and try and pin point where the noise is coming from.

if you can hear the noise on stands,disconect the drive shaft from the 208 and see if the noise stops.if you still hear it,then its almost got to be transfer case bearings.

if it stops,its got to be in the rear axle. it may not be a bad idea to pull the rear cover again and check for metal bits,silvery looking gear oil,and maybe check your wear pattern again and see if its changed any.check the wheel berings like carrotman suggested,and also check the pinion for in/out and up/down/left/right movement

[ February 15, 2004, 06:52 AM: Message edited by: scotty ]

[Stuka]

yeah, not sure if you checked the gears after break in. I also give them a once over after the break in period, and give em new fluid.

[J10Mike]

stuka, scotty,
this is what i found. i lifted the rearend onto jack stands. #1. checked both back wheels. driver side has slack and squeeked when wheels were moving. so, i need wheel bearings and a new seal there. however,that is not what was making the groaning noise.
#2. while in drive, i noticed that the front drive shaft was turning while the flag lever is in 2wd. the transfer case is not going into 2wd. does the shift linkage just need to be adjusted?
#3. the source of the groaning noise is at the front driver side hub area. so, it has to be either the axle ujoint or the axle bearings? what do you think? can i find these at my local autozone?

[ February 15, 2004, 04:13 PM: Message edited by: J10Mike ]

[LRRH]

yeah....you can get axle ujoints and bearings at autozone before for an 82 chero. funny enough...that front axle grenaded itself before hand taking out the hub.

[Stuka]

Sounds like you should redo all your bearings. Front and rear. I dont have much experience with the flag shifter, except to know it sucks ;) My J10 has the floor shift, which rocks (was only available with manual trans i believe) I a not sure if the linkage has an adjustment in it, it may just be plum worn out. You may be able to add a new bushing around the joints, that should get it back tight again.

[J10Mike]

the linkage has threads on it. so, i'm assuming i can adjust it.
"You may be able to add a new bushing around the joints, that should get it back tight again."
i'm not following you on this point.

[Stuka]

well, on my linkage, there is 3 joints. Each joint has a little bushing insert. If these wear out, the shifter will get slop in it, which may be enough to keep it from oing completely in/out of each gear.

[J10Mike]

ok...i see what you mean. i think i will go ahead and replace all the bearings. might as well. thanks.

[andy d]

did you clip a jogger? :D had one cross the road 2car lengths in front of me. silly fool was wearing BLack Sweatpants. it was a1/2 hr past sunset. :eek: almost a candidate for a darwin award.