"I pissed my pants and forgot who I was"

[FromLadaToJeep]

Right, so the YJ is new to me. It itself is old however - a 91. Anyway, I was just kicking it in the garage with my imaginary fiends, and I decided to put the jeep in 4 wheel low for the first time since I have owned the jeep. (I know.. I probably should have checked it BEFORE I bought it - but I dont do that... that thinking thing...) Anyway, I placed it in 4 lo and when I turn the wheel and move forward I get an awesome inconsistant grinding. It's loud and somewhat aggresive. It doesn't occur when I drive straight. Just wondering if anyone has had this. Its not a tire rubbing.. definately sounds like metal grinding. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

[RAT]

Are you driving your Jeep in 4 LO on pavement? If so, you shouldn't. Says so in the owners manual. When all four wheels are turning under power it binds the suspension. Especially when you turn. You can break something bad. Don't do that!

Rat

[tiny terror]

also.... pissing into the seats is counter productive. try not to do that.

[Roadkill424]

when i turn in 4lo on pavement you can feel it bind so i try not to, but their is never any grinding. i would say to check your front end for broken parts,spyder gears,axles,or u-joints.

[Kodiak Spirit]

OMG! is that Tankgirl?

Yeah 4low + pavement = grindage

[FromLadaToJeep]

when i turn in 4lo on pavement you can feel it bind so i try not to, but their is never any grinding. i would say to check your front end for broken parts,spyder gears,axles,or u-joints.

Okay.. I will check them.. Makes sense that gears may be broken/hopping because there was no binding feeling. hmm.. Hope my imaginary friends know what to do because I dont have a god damned clue. Pardon my ignorance.. but those would be the gears in the diff. Right? So I open the diff and have a peak around. Figure out whats what, fix it and seal it up. No problem. My wife should be able to do that no problem.. with my direction of course. Gosh.. hope she has coveralls.

[FromLadaToJeep]

also.... pissing into the seats is counter productive. try not to do that.

No biggie... they're vynil.

[paul_arc]

put it in the dirt and try it again. if it still grinds its most likely an axle or u-joint

[maddmike]

as rat said, you're not EVER supposed to use 4hi or 4lo on pavement. it locks both driveshafts together and should only be used in the dirt, in rain, or snow. if used on the road, the drivetrain will bind too much and the resistance of the pavement on the tires can be enough to bust expensive parts.

you probably didn't break anything but i would do what the others mentioned and drive around in the dirt with 4wd engaged to make sure there are no recurring noises.

[FromLadaToJeep]

Thanks guys.. I'm going to get out to a trail tomorrow night and give that a try.

[FromLadaToJeep]

She still pops/grinds while on the soil.. Assuming it is an axle or Ujoint.. how would you guys check further?
Thanks

[blkTJ]

jack up the front axle with the jeep in 4 wheel drive. try to spin the tires by hand. see what happens. then, take it out of 4wd. spin the tires by hand. see what happens.

[Paul B]

Do a visual inspection of the ujoints. They are visible between the axle tubes and steering knuckles. If you have a busted ujoint, chances are the axle is damaged from driving it. If you spin on tire and neither the driveshaft or opposite tire rotate you most likely have a broken axle. Time for your wife to grab the coveralls and get dirty, Good luck.

[FromLadaToJeep]

Thanks Paul B and Blktj.. I lifted up the front end and rotated the tires in 2wd and 4wd and there wasnt a difference in sound - while the tires were striaght. However, I inspected the u joints and there is a lot of play in them.. they are rusty as hell and pop when I rotate them with the tires cranked either way. I think they are both shot. While rotating one tire the other turns in reverse - would this mean that my axles are not shot? Hope so.. but regardless, it looks as though I'll be doing my first Jeep repair soon. Probably shouldnt drive it with the U joints like that eh? Anyway.. thanks guys.
Any idea what new u joint cost? Are there aftermarket joints which have more meat to them? Or are greasable or something?

[RAT]

If you have stock axles the U joints cost around $30-60 a peice (with tax included). Napa, Pep Boys, Auto Zone or whatever you guys have in the Great White North all carry a version of the stock U joint. If you want heavier, greasable types, you'll pay a bit more. Northridge, 4 wheel parts have these types of U joints and ship to you pretty fast. While you have the axles out you should check the splines on the axle shafts where they fit into the spider gears, check your breaks, ball joint and all that. Might as well, you're already there.
Good job finding out what the noise is. You're on your way...
Rat