Front end (axle?) noise, suggestions?

[McLovin83]

I have 96 XJ with a 4.5" Rought Country short arm lift kit, RC Drop Brackets, and a Dana 30 w/ 3.55's.

Went wheeling this weekend and had no problems.


Driving down the highway yesterday and this noise starts:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TysxnzNGG3A


I did some videos tonight with my GoPro:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w7NWjSt31bQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1sCHpWopUMc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lNqkpT7UZ8Q

When I'm driving it honestly sounds like the noise is coming from the passenger side.

I haven't been able to jack up the front end and see if the wheel hub/ball joint is the issue or not. I ordered a jack and some stands (long story) and those will be here friday.


Any thoughts on what that noise might be?

 

[831_xj]

driveshaft ujoints?
pull the front shaft see if it is still there.
Pop the cover give it a once over. See if theres anything that sticks out

 

[GordoSmasho]

My money is on the diff. Im thinking crosspin. Pop the cover before you drive another inch.

 

[Blk Cherry 92]

My money is on the diff. Im thinking crosspin. Pop the cover before you drive another inch.

+100

WOW!! That is most definitely in the diff.
I just changed an axle shaft and DS u-joints that were way toasted.
In no way did it sound that bad!!
In fact it made no sound while running strait so..................
I would think about pulling it out and :explosion

 

[McLovin83]

Ok so jacked up the jeep and turned one of the front wheels and heard/saw this:

http://youtu.be/uAox6_-LVPU

So I took the driveshaft off and started thinking it just might be a u joint problem:

Inside that linkage is what looks like a big ball bearing with a cover the top of it:

Flipped it over and saw this:

Almost half the cover that goes over the ball sheared off! I can't tell if That piece is part of the axle or not. I'm waiting to go to someone's house that has a socket big enough to try and push the u joints out and see if it seperates.

Do any of you know if that piece is seperate or not?

 

[GordoSmasho]

Lucky that didnt blow apart. But more lucky that noise wasnt in the diff. Just get a cv rebuild kit.

 

[McLovin83]

Took the double cardan joint apart and this what I found.

Looks like I get to buy a new axle.

 

[831_xj]

? No just a new drive shaft mang..

 

[McLovin83]

Re: Re: Front end (axle?) noise, suggestions?

Took the double cardan joint apart and this what I found.

Looks like I get to buy a new axle.

Shit meant driveshaft. Herp a derp!

 

[devildog0]

I had a very similar sound on my 00 and turned out to be the same issue. I found a JY Driveshaft for 25 bucks and just stuck that in there and it ran for years afterwards with no issues.

 

[McLovin83]

So I have 6.5" of lift (4.5" rough country short arm kit and 2" spacers, 1 inch spacers at the crossmember). Is a stock driveshaft ok for that setup or should I worry about getting a longer one?