Front end noise saga (not quite resolved)

[tarheel99]

99 XJ (box stock) with 42k miles. Started hearing 1: a low speed grinding noise from the front, 2: a slight vibration when turning at 30- 40 mph and 3: a "clunk" when slowly backing up and turning the wheel. (like when backing out of a parking space - happens only in reversa and either when turning left or right)

After doing some reading on this forum, I concluded that the most likely suspects were front wheel bearings / u-joints. I tore into it last weekend and sure enough, the bearings were shot (one had rust leaking around the rear seals) and each of the u-joints had one or more dry bearing cups. (Advice to anyone thinking about trying this - go look at the axel replacement write up on MADXJ.COM - excellent stuff).

Anyway, the grinding and vibration when turning are gone but the darn "clunk" when turning while backing up is still there! I gave the front end a through greasing and that didn't help and I'm totally out of ideas. Any suggestions??? TIA.

[btl_fed_xj]

Does it do it when you are in 2wd and 4wd? I don't know what the problem could be exactly but that would be another thing to try and allow you to narrow down the possibilities somewhat.

[tarheel99]

It makes the clunk in both 2wd and 4wd. (should have mentioned that in the original post...)

[BrianJr]

I also have the loud thunk when turning in reverse. I've not verified it yet but I was told the problem is caused by the bolts for trackbar/bracket getting loose.

[TRNDRVR]

Motor mounts?

[XJTripp]

Try your Lower Control Arms at the joint with the brackets on the front axle. I got this noise also and when I tightened the through bolt for the bushing at the axle end- the noise went away.