Thumping sound in 4wheel drive

On the trails Sunday I noticed a thumping sound and felt
it in the steering. Thought something was wrapped around
the drive shaft as it kept in time with speed...but nope. Seems
to happen when I turn wheels to the right. Ok I was on the
pussy trails so I didn't get crazy with it by any stretch.
It has 26k but haven't changed diff fluids yet.. The drive
home was fine so I'm guessing it's only in 4wheel drive. Haven't
taken it somewhere yet to test it in the open. Any thoughts??
It's still under warranty.

Veronica

If you have not gone somewhere to change the diff fluids trans and T-case. Its time to do all of them. Its safe to say if you wheeling your jeep once or twice a month to do the diffs once a season if not more and the Trans and T-case once a year. The diffs are really easy to do yourself and if you take the old oil up to a shop they will despose of it for you. Give the jeep a good bath and change the gear oil and stuff. Then see if its still makeing noise.

Sounds like a u-joint going bad in the front, transfer case side usually.

If you have just been wheelin in mud (through the puddles or deep holes), I would check the u-joints and hubs.


You said it only happens when turning in one direction, check your lug nuts, if they are a little loose then you would notice that while turning slow but while going down the high way it may not due it untill they loosen up more..... just a thought.


when you find it let us know.

- Rick

also check the axel u-joints. If they are just staring to go bad they will only click when pressure is put on them from the 4wd.

Been keeping my ears open for that noise...went to the levees today &
put it in 4H & 4L...no noise, no steering issues...nuttin Ok so
that's a good thing...not complaining...guess I gotta stayed tuned and
see if it acts up again...when I take it in for t-case & tranny fluid change
I'll have them poke around a bit. Thanks to you guys for all the info

http://www.4x4xplor.com/trannyservice.html

Here is a "how to" link if you want to change those fluids yourself.
It's really easy to do and I'm sure the dealer or a shop would charge a fortune for it.

Just think of it in this light if I take the money that I would pay the shop and compare it to what you could save if you did it yourself. Thats alot of extra jeep parts. I understand paying for oil changes but when someone wants 400 bucks to drain and fill the diffs front n rear , trans and T-case. You can do that in a good afternoon and spend 40-50 bucks at the auto parts store put the old oil in the old containers and drop them off at any local shop. At the very least you save 300 bucks. Do that 4 times a year and thats 1200 bucks. nice winch and a bumper. or that cheap jeep your looking for.