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Front Drive Shaft problem, need help.

falcon556

NAXJA Forum User
Location
Tulsa
I recently bought a '99 XJ, the price was good but lots of things to fix.
I got everything taken care of except for this.
When the speed approaches 70mph (67) a loud growling/humming noise
starts and stays on at higher speeds.
I removed the front drive shaft and the noise stopped.
I borrowed the drive shaft from my '96 and installed it in the '99,
no noise.
I replaced all the U-Joints of the offending drive shaft, the noise is still there.
I took it to a drive shaft shop and had it checked for straight and balance,
he tuned the balance a bit, the noise is still there.
I asked the drive shaft specialist about the double Cardan, he thought it was normal. (comparing to my '96, I agree).
I am lost, it is the drive shaft for sure but I have no idea what to do about it.
Help.
 
Hi, got your PM. Check the slip yoke for clearance. W/ the shaft in the Jeep, grab it at the slip yoke and push it up and down. There should be very little clearance here (hopefully less than 1/16"). I have seen low mile shafts w/ more than this, and the noise will usually be a harmonic or drone type noise that goes up and down in frequency. If the other shaft is good compare it to that as far as slip yoke clearance. The shop that did the balance and ?? should have checked this but who knows. Also make sure the yokes are in phase w/ each other (another thing the balancer should have caught). Thats a start, let me know if that helps.

Brian
 
Good synopsys explorer. My only question is that you said you replaced all the ujoints, but did you replace the inner joint on the dual cardan unit? That pesky joint keeps things in line. If it is loose, things wobble and presto, your noise.

Heck, it sounds like its time to hit a salvage yard for a "spare" shaft.:laugh3:
 
I believe you found the problem!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Pushing on the collar with the grease fitting, not only do I get up and down play, I can even hear a noise. The shaft is lubed. Compared to the good shaft there is a big difference.
When I replaced the Ujoints I checked the center of the double Cardan and it seemed OK.
I don't suppose there is a way to repair it, a new is probably expensive, so off we go for the junkyard.
Thanks a lot, I appreciate your help.
 
Thanks Old man. I worked at a dealer for @ 8yrs. Learned a lot from all the "old men" around there. Never thought I'd say this but I kind of miss working on them.
 
falcon556 said:
I recently bought a '99 XJ, the price was good but lots of things to fix.
I got everything taken care of except for this.
When the speed approaches 70mph (67) a loud growling/humming noise
starts and stays on at higher speeds.
I removed the front drive shaft and the noise stopped.
I borrowed the drive shaft from my '96 and installed it in the '99,
no noise.
I replaced all the U-Joints of the offending drive shaft, the noise is still there.
I took it to a drive shaft shop and had it checked for straight and balance,
he tuned the balance a bit, the noise is still there.
I asked the drive shaft specialist about the double Cardan, he thought it was normal. (comparing to my '96, I agree).
I am lost, it is the drive shaft for sure but I have no idea what to do about it.
Help.

Got the PM, thanks. I will have to try that. Previously my problem was on the rear, but have since replaced wheel bearings also. Since I still have the vibes startting at about 70mph, I will have to put in on jack stands to see if the vibration in the rear has disappeared and/or if I need to address the front driveshaft. I do remember having some play at the front slip joint (collar/grease fitting) but didn't know if it was normal. I have about 80K of highway miles, so it may warrant replacement.
 
The rest of the story, it was too expensive to repair the shaft, I got a salvage shaft for $75, installed it, no more noise.
Just for kicks, I pulled the bad shaft apart, the male splines look like they are coated with plastic, with no evidence of wear.
BTW I bought the centering ball in the double Cardan for my '96, it has 2 flush grease fittings 90degrees apart, made by Spicer, $35.
 
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