Popping in Drivetrain - Where to start?

Hi all -

I have a 1990 XJ, AX-15, 4.0L, 231 Tcase, C8.25 (27spline) with LockRight lunchbox locker.

Recently I have started to get a pretty substantial popping when accelerating. It usually happens in threes, with the first being worst and the last being minor - POP, Pop, pop.It can happen in a straight line, but it seems to be happen most often after coming out of a turn. I haven't had a chance to look into it yet, and I think I know what's up but I just want to make sure I'm on the right track.

I am guessing that this is an issue with the locker, but could it be the transfer case?

If the locker, what should I look for? Worn/broken teeth? Missing spring?

Is there something else that could be binding and causing this? I have recently done a 5.5" lift, but I have an SYE and custom-built DS with shims at the leafs to correct driveline angle, so I don't think it's binding in the DS.

Thanks in advance.

Check all of your U-joints. My popping sound was coming from the front axle u-joints.

iluv83vettes said:

Check all of your U-joints. My popping sound was coming from the front axle u-joints.

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Thanks, I am 100% sure it is not coming from the front. It only happens under power and my front DS is not installed.

Mine was still popping without a front driveshaft ...

Even if that's not the problem for your popping, it probably not a bad idea to swap them out.

iluv83vettes said:

Mine was still popping without a front driveshaft ...

Even if that's not the problem for your popping, it probably not a bad idea to swap them out.

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I will double-check them, but I'm 99% sure they are good, I checked them all when I did the ball joints a month ago.

I would check for busted pins in that lockrite along with bad springs. Since you have to pull it apart any way, also check the teeth.

old_man said:

I would check for busted pins in that lockrite along with bad springs. Since you have to pull it apart any way, also check the teeth.

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Cool. Yeah that is my plan. From what I am reading I am suspecting that I have something wrong with the locker. Looks like a replacement spring/pin set is only $20 so if that is the case then that wouldn't be the worst thing.

Busted pins are fairly common and many times you can just replace then and everything is OK. YMMV