4 Wheel Drive/SUVs/suspension knock

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Expert: - 4/14/2004


Question
Hi-
  I have a knock and noise when I am driving slow and turning coming from my front end. I have replaced the drive axle on the passenger side. I have had the drivers drive axle looked at and was told that it was fine. The hub bearing assembly has been replaced on both sides. A suspension expert looked at tie rods, ball joints,etc. And said they were fine. I have taken my 1995 Jeep Grand Cherokee to 5 shops and no one can figure it out. My friend said that it could be coming from the transfer case. My jeep is 4 wheel all the time.Help!
                                 Thanks,
                                    BK

Answer
Brian,


Wow, you have covered everything that I would have suggested.  It is possible that the noise could be coming from the transfer case, but not likely.  I would have the universal joints checked on the front and rear drivelines.  It really sounds like a steering component.

  Carl

4 Wheel Drive/SUVs

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Carl Brandt

Expertise

Will discuss suspensions, lifts, lockers along with tire suggestions. Trail ratings and possible requirements needed for specific type of trails. Safety equipment and what you should carry with you. Certified off-road instructor. I am not a mechanic, and 4-Wheeling is a hobby, so if I can't answer a technical question it is due to my mechanical knowledge being related to vehicles that I have owned, or have worked on. I do not have manuals on all vehicles.

Experience

40 plus years of 4 wheeling in a variety of vehicles. At the present time, my major off-road rig is a 94 Jeep Wrangler with a spring over and a 1 1/2" suspension lift. This gives me a total lift of 7" or so. I have lockers front and rear. I have removed the track bars, and sway bar for maximum articulation. I am running a stock 2.5 ltr 4 cylinder with a Jacobs ignition along with a cold air high flow filter. It has 4.56:1 gears with a Dodge NV4500 transmission along with a 3.8:1 Atlas II transfer case. This gives me a final ratio of 105:1 in low gear/low range. Other vehicles I own, are a 96 Ford F-250 with a 6" lift, posi rear end, 36" Hummer tires, 5 speed with a fuel injected 460 ci engine, an 87 Samurai with an 8" lift, Ford 9" rear end with a spool, Chevy Dana 44 front end with an electric locker, 5.88 gears, 16% reduction in high range and a 6.5:1 low range with 35" Baja Claws, and a stock 2003 Grand Cherokee Overland. Trails I have run are the Rubicon (10 times), Dusey Ershim, Fordyce Creek trail, McGrew trail, several trails in Moab, Utah along with local monthly runs.

Organizations
Lost Coast 4x4's Cal 4-Wheel Corva UFWDA Blue Ribbon Coalition

Education/Credentials
Certified off-road instructor - Certificates in engineering/electronics

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