Rohr397
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Fallbrook, CA
Yesterday I picked up a 2000 Jeep Cherokee XJ after searching for a few months. Long story short, I've wanted one for about as long as I can remember and I finally pulled the trigger. For the most part, I'm pretty stoked with the Jeep and it has a ton of good things going for it, but there are some issues that I'd like to address.
All of my mechanical experience has been with ATVs, dirt bikes, and that sort of stuff, so this is really my first time taking a swing at anything like this. I figured the best thing I could do was hop on here and ask questions.
As far as the Jeep goes, it's a 4.0L 4x4 with the automatic transmission. It has the NP231 transfer case and a slip yoke eliminator has been installed. As far as modifications go relevant to what the issue may be, it has a 6" lift and a 1 ton under the knuckle steering kit. Also, it has the 8.25 rear axle and is running on 33" tires. It has spent it's entire life in Arizona and Southern California, and at 169k miles it is totally rust free and looks almost brand new underneath and inside and out.
NOW... as far as what's wrong with it?
First and foremost, there is a squeaking sound that is already driving me crazy. After replacing the serpentine belt per the previous owner's recommendation, it is still present. All pulley's seemed good as well as the fan and all that. More research led me to the "Angry Sparrows," which this squeaking sound is similar to from what I can tell. It seems to only come on right around 1,500 RPMs when driving, under acceleration or deceleration, with only an occasional squeak at other RPMs. It also seems to get better after driving it around for a bit. Front driveshaft and U-joints seem to be in really good shape, but I'm not totally eliminating that possibility. The rear driveshaft, however, did have some torn up blue plastic sticking out of the joint on the transfer case end. This leads me to believe it could be something with the rear...
Additionally, the steering wheel is totally crooked. I realize this is alignment so that's no big deal, but it's worth mentioning. The Jeep seems to wander a decent amount and steers easier to the right than to the left. The steering wheel is turned to the left to go straight, so I'm assuming this is also an alignment issue.
Finally, the issue that is the most troubling is what happens when I let off the throttle. Whenever I let off the throttle while driving, the Jeep pulls to the right. Sometimes it's no big deal, but other times it can be really unsettling. It doesn't pull in any direction when accelerating, braking, or any other time. Even with the crooked steering wheel, it still drives perfectly straight down the road.
So, those are the issues I'm having. It seems entirely possible that they could all be connected to some extent, but as I said I'm new to this and trying to get a feel for how it all works. I also realize that a lifted vehicle like this is never going to drive perfectly, but I'd at least like to make it as good as I can.
Any help is greatly appreciated, thanks!
All of my mechanical experience has been with ATVs, dirt bikes, and that sort of stuff, so this is really my first time taking a swing at anything like this. I figured the best thing I could do was hop on here and ask questions.
As far as the Jeep goes, it's a 4.0L 4x4 with the automatic transmission. It has the NP231 transfer case and a slip yoke eliminator has been installed. As far as modifications go relevant to what the issue may be, it has a 6" lift and a 1 ton under the knuckle steering kit. Also, it has the 8.25 rear axle and is running on 33" tires. It has spent it's entire life in Arizona and Southern California, and at 169k miles it is totally rust free and looks almost brand new underneath and inside and out.
NOW... as far as what's wrong with it?
First and foremost, there is a squeaking sound that is already driving me crazy. After replacing the serpentine belt per the previous owner's recommendation, it is still present. All pulley's seemed good as well as the fan and all that. More research led me to the "Angry Sparrows," which this squeaking sound is similar to from what I can tell. It seems to only come on right around 1,500 RPMs when driving, under acceleration or deceleration, with only an occasional squeak at other RPMs. It also seems to get better after driving it around for a bit. Front driveshaft and U-joints seem to be in really good shape, but I'm not totally eliminating that possibility. The rear driveshaft, however, did have some torn up blue plastic sticking out of the joint on the transfer case end. This leads me to believe it could be something with the rear...
Additionally, the steering wheel is totally crooked. I realize this is alignment so that's no big deal, but it's worth mentioning. The Jeep seems to wander a decent amount and steers easier to the right than to the left. The steering wheel is turned to the left to go straight, so I'm assuming this is also an alignment issue.
Finally, the issue that is the most troubling is what happens when I let off the throttle. Whenever I let off the throttle while driving, the Jeep pulls to the right. Sometimes it's no big deal, but other times it can be really unsettling. It doesn't pull in any direction when accelerating, braking, or any other time. Even with the crooked steering wheel, it still drives perfectly straight down the road.
So, those are the issues I'm having. It seems entirely possible that they could all be connected to some extent, but as I said I'm new to this and trying to get a feel for how it all works. I also realize that a lifted vehicle like this is never going to drive perfectly, but I'd at least like to make it as good as I can.
Any help is greatly appreciated, thanks!