I read somewhere that the driveshaft on a 4WD can cause a clunk,
clunk, clunk noise if its been driven in 4WD on hard pavement . . .
and when that happens, you drive it in 4WD and Reverse to fix the
problem. Well, I didn't drive in 4WD on dry pavement, but my 96 XJ
suddenly has a Clunk, Clunk, Clunk noise, and I'm wondering what it
might be. Also, I can't work on it myself, so I'll have to take it to
a Mechanic if it's something serious. Any suggestions?

Thanks Mike and Dave for the suggestions. Here's what I found out
yesterday. A Mechanic told me that the seal where the driveshaft
enters the front axle is "blown out" and that grease is being thrown
around. He also said that he found metal shavings in there. The
estimate is at least $300 just to open it up, plus the cost for any
dmaged bearings, gears, etc. that might need to be rerplaced. Does
that sound right, and should I get a second opinion?

$300 sounds like the labor charge and then add the cost of parts.
Is that right? If so I don't think that is bad if you get a good long
warranty!
Check out parts prices to make sure that they aren't going to be exorbitant!

AND I agree that you should be able to compare the rebuild to the price of
installing a used one in there.
Of course if YOU do the work, labor shouldn't kill you! :-)

I like to shop around so you don't pay too much but ALWAYS use a recommended
shop!!!!

JMHO
--
later,
dave AKA vwdoc1
88 XJ 4.0 auto


"DougW" <I.only.read.usenet (AT) invalid (DOT) address> wrote

Did the new control arms include new ball joints?

Have you made sure the bolts that hold the spindle on the ball
joint/control arm are tight? If these are not torqued really well they
will make a clunk noise.

What about the axles?




--
keypogue73

On Friday, I took it to another place for a 2nd opinion. They drove
it, but couldn't duplicate the intermittent clunk. They put it on the
lift and examined the axle, wheels, U-joints, etc., and said
everything looked OK. The seal on the front driveshaft was bad so they
replaced it. They also fixed my rattling cat converter by driving a
screw up into it. The total charge was $50, which I thought was OK. If
it clunks again, I'll take it back to those guys along with the email
suggestions you all have given me. Thanks!!!

bw-fl wrote:
Sometimes clunks come from strange and distant locations. Take a close
look at your motor mounts. If they have sunk with age (and they do)
then the engine or transmission might be bumping up against something.

http://www.revbeergoggles.com/motormount/

I would stick with OEM. The aftermarket ones from NAPA
just don't seem to be built with the same amount of rubber.
(Might be wrong, but the last set I got was from NAPA, in
a few years time will tell)

I get my parts from CPD http://www.chryslerpartsdirect.com/


--
-- DougW -- 93 ZJ 4.0 http://revbeergoggles.com
HESCO Supercharger - 300W IASCA Stereo - Edelbrock IAS Shocks
Gibson Exhaust - rear DCpower - custom gauge install - Stillen Rotors
Banks Header - and BEER, in the fridge!