Drivetrain binding/popping

[ViperDriver]

Grateful to be on the forum again.....and for the help I've gotten over the years......... My 16 yo daughter got her license and wants to drive the Jeep as her older siblings did.... My wife took her out on several outings to teach her and I was told she struggled with the clutch, getting moving, and then stop and go..... I'm told I'm not a compassionate instructor so was sidelined for this..... I was then asked to ride along to help her with starting and stopping... I don't know if my Jeep has ever endured this much drivetrain stress on the trails/rocks.... After a couple of trips the Jeep developed a weird noise/binding from the drivetrain - can't tell exactly where. I drained and replaced the transfer case and transmission fluid half expecting to find chunks of metal in both - I didn't. Removed the front driveshaft to eliminate that as a potential cause. Didn't help. Took it for a drive and still hearing/feeling binding and popping from below. I'll open the diffs and look at them next. I'm looking for a good shop in the Phoenix area - the east valley is preferred - that can identify and fix the problem if I can't. Thanks in advance for your help....

Cheers
Bart

 

[hosejockey61]

Did you try removing the rear driveshaft and taking it for a test drive? What rear end? LSD clutch plates falling apart? Locker engaged? If none of that applies, open the rear diff cover and start there.

 

[ViperDriver]

I did not remove the rear driveshaft - I'll reinstall the front shaft and then test the rear. I didn't think it would be a problem as it is a fairly new Tatton driveshaft. The rear end is a Dana 35 with 4.56 gears and a lockrite locker. I'll update when/if I find something. Thanks for the input.

 

[ViperDriver]

After checking both axles, and both driveshafts - they were all good, it does seem like there is a "binding" in the AX-15 along with pretty good "thumping" noises. Hard to find words that describe it. Looking for a good shop to work on the AX-15. It was rebuilt 7-8 years ago at the old 4 Wheelers Supply. Thanks for any/all suggestions.