Pete H. Posted June 2, 2013 Share Posted June 2, 2013 Greetings fellows! Background: Well, I had to let my younger brother drive the YJ last week, and he is a careful driver but really unsure of himself with a standard shift. I had just gotten an epidural shot in my back and they refuse to let a person drive after one of those...He was doing fine until we came to a four way stop at the top of a hill, and the Jeep picked then to stall out. The jerk behind us was right on the bumper and leaning on his horn, so my kid brother got flustered and gunned the gas, peeled out, and I am pretty sure did something to the rear end. (It was shuddering for a mile until I got him to pull over and calm down. He refuses to drive a standard ever again ...so much for buying him a cj2a someday.) Symptoms: In the lower gears, there is a single bark or scrape coming from the rear end when just starting to accelerate. It sounds like bumping a metal table on a ceramic tile floor. I have had a bad U-joint before, and this is not the clicking or chirping that I have heard under those circumstances. I have also noticed a little bit of "give" in acceleration. I am wondering if it is just time to replace my U-joints (visual inspection was tight, but that sound has got me thinking)...or if my poor baby brother banged up the differential or transfer case. Thanks for looking! Sincerely, Pete H. P.S. The differential was rebuilt four years ago and has never been taken off-road (other than the cow pasture) since. New ring, pinion, yoke, bearings, shims, etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators Moses Ludel Posted June 3, 2013 Administrators Share Posted June 3, 2013 Hi, Pete! Doesn't sound promising...Beyond a U-joint, which is a possibility, this sounds more like a differential issue. Since you were on the pavement and in high range of the transfer case, it is very unlikely that the transfer case is involved. I'd jack the rear axle up after safely chocking the front wheels. Try one side up first. With one wheel off the ground, rotate the wheel/tire back and forth while listening for the "bark" or metallic clanging. Concentrate on the differential area and U-joints. Slanting to one wheel off the ground will maximize the play through the differential. Pay close attention to the pinion shaft, pinion flange, U-joints and bearings. You may have a loose pinion flange. With both rear wheels off the ground, you can check the axle shaft bearings, too. Test axle endplay as well. U-joints are inexpensive and easy to replace...The differential or ring-and-pinion would be a bigger job... Let us know what you discover, Pete! Moses Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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