Can't trace weird sound, drive train related, transaxle to the front?

OSquires

OSquires

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Albemarle, NC
OK, bear with me...

Early 97, 4.0 I6, 71k miles

At 15mph plus, noisy squeak coming through floorboard, seemingly from centerline of the jeep.

I've been driving it a lot this winter after painting, etc. the last year plus. Above 50 degrees rarely happens, 40 degrees and colder mornings always happens. Leave the house, I've got a mile plus of 55 and then speed limit cuts back to 35mph. The sound is usually quiet then, drive to office is about 4 miles.

After parking, and the day stays under 40, the cycle repeats at lunch, etc.

Less noticed last year (winter) but driving it very little. Prior years don't remember it.

Replaced the rubber boot on front driveshaft last weekend (and front ujoint), boot was tore up anyway. No diff. I've got redline lube for transmission and transaxle but not changed it yet.

Thoughts anyone??

Thanks

Owen
 
Pull the front shaft asap- if it goes away get it completely rebuilt. The cardan joint could be the culprit, and if it locks up it is near catastrophic for a TJ.
 
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Transaxle???? Not on a TJ.

But yeah, the front driveshaft double cardan joint is notorious for making squeaking noises when the joints are dry. "Angry sparrows" is the term I first heard that accurately described the sound when it happened on mine.
 
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AndyG said:
Pull the front shaft asap- if it goes away get it completely rebuilt. The cardan joint could be the culprit, and if it locks up it is near catastrophic for a TJ.
Click to expand...

This makes sense, what I didn't say was that I learned a couple weeks ago that if I put it in four high first thing, mostly quiet.

So I was partially right. I got both U-Joints, but only swapped the front one out.

Thanks everyone. Sounds like I may have dodged something bad.
 
KennethS said:
Transaxle???? Not on a TJ.

But yeah, the front driveshaft double cardan joint is notorious for making squeaking noises when the joints are dry. "Angry sparrows" is the term I first heard that accurately described the sound when it happened on mine.
Click to expand...

👍👍👍

Transfer that transaxle right outta here 🙄🙄🙄
 
On a TJ the front tires drive the front driveshaft when you are in 2WD. Double cardan seizes on the hwy, KABOOM.

YJs have the front axle disconnect in the front axle and the front driveshaft is not driven by the tires in 2WD.
 
OSquires said:
This makes sense, what I didn't say was that I learned a couple weeks ago that if I put it in four high first thing, mostly quiet.

So I was partially right. I got both U-Joints, but only swapped the front one out.

Thanks everyone. Sounds like I may have dodged something bad.
Click to expand...

Ok, a bit more than I thought. Rebuilding the cardan joint, etc is a bit more than just a u joint.

New project 🤞

Thanks everyone.

Owen
 
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