Mystery clunk...Please Help

[partyinmuthafer]

I had 2 of my 5 star Jeep mechanic buddies check this problem out and neither have ever seen another cherokee do this in almost 10 years combined experience! I have a 2000 4.0 6cyl limited and heres what it does: When I come up to a stop kinda hard I feel (and hear) a forward pushing clunk coming from the back once a complete stop is made. If I dont let the truck roll a foot or two before hitting the gas, it once again makes a clunk that goes towards the back. It feels to me that the gears in the diff arent tight, but I dont think thats it. I was also thinking it was the springs, but nobody can say for sure. Now keep in mind this truck is stock with 175,000 pretty hard (but decently maintained) miles on it. Any info would be greatly appreciated!!!

[mission-inc]

have you looked at your engine, tranny, t-case mounts? they could be toast.

[90xj06]

rear drums locking up?

[partyinmuthafer]

Yeah I replaced all the cheaper possibilities....Ive had a ton of cherokees. I wonder if pop yankin all my stuck buddies has anything to do with it

[90xj06]

it could i would check all drive related bolts you may have loosened one up.

[partyinmuthafer]

I think Im just gonna lift it and replace everything. Only thing that sux is I only want 2 inches of lift, but all those kits arent as complete as I want them

[90xj06]

can you put a 3in lift on with out doing brake lines and a shaft. just putting new springs and a addaleaf.

[partyinmuthafer]

I want a seriously complete kit and only rubicon express has what Im looking for in as little as 3.5in. But with this cherokee I want only 2in so I can fit 29x10.50 thornbirds (yeah yeah I know, but they work great for the terrains here in south jersey) and Im looking to retain some gas mileage cuz I take it on long trips alot

[lazarus]

look at your slip yoke. I have heard of them making thuds if they were dry.

[qwerty247]

it could be your drive shaft slip joint.
as i had the same noise...

the grease inside the slip joint behind the transfer case has dried out.
as you brake the car sort of squashes in and then it 'locks' in the slip joint and then pulls out when you drive off, and if the lub is dry you will hear the clunck otherwise it will slide in and out smoothly...

open up the joint and re-lube it and that should fix it.

i also heard its a fairly common problem on 97on jeeps ?

[Spudboy]

There is actually a TSB for this on the WJs. The proper term for it is "stop-bump" Early WJs were fixed by replacing the driveshaft yoke and other assorted pieces. On later ones, they simply regreased everything.

[midnightrunxj]

1: Remove driveshaft

2: Lube slip yoke with synthetic axle lube

3: Re-install drive shaft

4: Drive happy with without thunk

At least 3 of my cherokees have had this

p.s.

Try to stay away from any tech that could not Diag. that!