Help diagnosing grinding noise

02 Sahara

02 Sahara

New Member
Joined
Feb 17, 2024
Messages
8
Location
Western Massachusetts
I have a 02 TJ Sahara it has a sound coming from it like a grinding noise. My mechanic said it was the transfer case had it replaced and still making same noise. So he said it was a bad transfer case again so he is going to rebuild my old one. Does anyone have any suggestions to what it could be.
 
You could try getting the Jeep up on a lift or stands (safely!) Where you can listen underneath to figure out where the noise is coming from. A grinding underneath could be from a number of places. Transmission, transfer case, u-joints, axles, brakes, or a combination of multiple.

As was mentioned above, a new mechanic/second opinion is going to be necessary. It's possible that it is the t-case and you got a bad replacement, but it sounds like the mechanic is lost and doesn't know what else to do besides repeating the same work.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Jerry Bransford
02 Sahara said:
I have a 02 TJ Sahara it has a sound coming from it like a grinding noise. My mechanic said it was the transfer case had it replaced and still making same noise. So he said it was a bad transfer case again so he is going to rebuild my old one. Does anyone have any suggestions to what it could be.
Click to expand...

Elaborate this a bit more, and someone might can provide you actual help.

WHERE does it sound like it's grinding?
WHEN is it grinding?
Manual or Automatic transmission?
Is it a constant grind anytime the engine is running, or only when in gear? etc.

This is all crucial information in figuring out what the issue might be.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Jerry Bransford, Austin O. and bbaldwin237
zachpeakee said:
Elaborate this a bit more, and someone might can provide you actual help.

WHERE does it sound like it's grinding?
WHEN is it grinding?
Manual or Automatic transmission?
Is it a constant grind anytime the engine is running, or only when in gear? etc.

This is all crucial information in figuring out what the issue might be.
Click to expand...

It starts grinding at about 25mph and it’s an automatic. Sound is coming from passenger side of vehicle it sounds like
 
bbaldwin237 said:
You could try getting the Jeep up on a lift or stands (safely!) Where you can listen underneath to figure out where the noise is coming from. A grinding underneath could be from a number of places. Transmission, transfer case, u-joints, axles, brakes, or a combination of multiple.

As was mentioned above, a new mechanic/second opinion is going to be necessary. It's possible that it is the t-case and you got a bad replacement, but it sounds like the mechanic is lost and doesn't know what else to do besides repeating the same work.
Click to expand...

I brought it to another shop today to get a second opinion
 
  • Like
Reactions: bbaldwin237 and LJGreg
chili_pepper said:
Is that even possible? Thought 31's were the max without a lift if one doesn't want clearance issues.
Click to expand...

you can squeeze 32's in there but they will rub with any suspension flex. my 97 Sahara had 32's with no lift on it when I got it and you could see they had rubbed the fender flares. no way you can run 33's with no lift but look at his avatar and you can tell he has a lift on it.
 
tr21triton said:
you can squeeze 32's in there but they will rub with any suspension flex. my 97 Sahara had 32's with no lift on it when I got it and you could see they had rubbed the fender flares. no way you can run 33's with no lift but look at his avatar and you can tell he has a lift on it.
Click to expand...

YES you can…..
I installed JK 17” rims with 32” tires and adapters with no lift and there was no rubbing.
As posted above; I didn’t flex the Jeep suspension out.
After installing a 2” lift; the clearances are much better.
 
  • Like
Reactions: tr21triton
There is no lift kit on jeep it just has bigger springs. The way I bought it in August of last year. The only thing I have done is get a hardtop for it and new soft top. Did the rear main seal when they did the transfer case.
 
bbaldwin237 said:
Taller springs is a lift
Click to expand...

02 Sahara said:
There is no lift kit on jeep it just has bigger springs. The way I bought it in August of last year. The only thing I have done is get a hardtop for it and new soft top. Did the rear main seal when they did the transfer case.
Click to expand...

Again, taller springs IS a lift! Just because it has factory control arms does not mean it is not a lift.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Jerry Bransford
Also have update other mechanic at transmission shop said it was a bad transfer case. But now the noise has stopped. I drove it for a little while trying to figure out where noise was coming from and all of a sudden it stopped. Don’t know if oil just didn’t go through all of transfer case but it’s not making noise anymore
 
Top Bottom
Back