Knock in 4high: Diagnosis help

[Kurt]

...If it is the axle u joints I would like to take a crack at changing them out. I’ve never done that so I’d be looking for some help if anyone was available...

You're welcome to bring it by my place and we can change them out.

[Cheever3]

I took Frank's suggestion and put the Jeep up on jack stands. Ran it in 4wd and turned the wheel driver and passenger. The amount of noise made it very difficult to determine where the issue was. The jolting caused the drive shaft to jerk which was added noise. I could notice hesitation on the driver side wheel when steering wheel was cut. Passenger side continued to spin freely. Driver side would make a three quarter turn before pausing for a moment. As I accelerated the noise and jolting got worse.

Also, In 4wd there is a spooling noise when I accelerate in a straight line.

Does this still sound like a u-joint problem???

[ZAEDOCK]

Put it on jack stands without it running and you'll find toasted u-joints quite easily

[Cheever3]

Went up to Kurt's today and he found that the grease boot on the tulip joint of the front driveshaft was rotted out. Luckily enough, Ralph had his old driveshaft available back in Rhode Island. He was kind enough to drive all the way back, scoop up the old driveshaft and bring it back up to Kurt's. After cleaning up the old ds a bit it was installed and Jeep is running much better now.

Kurt and Ralph, I can't thank you enough. Thanks again for everything. Happy New Year.

[Kurt]

Weird that the boot on the joint cracked apart letting all the grease fling out and let dirt get in ruining the joint. Really shouldn't have happened so soon.
What we found... tcase end of the front DS


A major Thank You!! to Ralph for making an un-planned round trip back home to bring his old front DS back so we could clean it up and get it installed in the Jeep the same day.

[RalphTomaccio]

You're welcome! Glad to be able to assist in some small way.

[pirahnah3]

Glad the problem was found and some awesome members to the Rescue.

[Cheever3]

Drove down to New York this past weekend with the family, put over 500 miles on the Jeep. They got some snow and I had to use 4 high for a bit. No knocks or jolts, smooth as silk.

Thanks again.