Rear end clunk...2001 XJ

chicagoshooter · 12-28-2007, 09:04 PM

I am experiencing an "occasional" clunk in the rear end of my Jeep right after stopping or just starting to accelerate. There are no other sounds while driving. When I make a slow gradual stop this does not appear. When I make a normal or slightly aggressive brake it sometimes appears.

I was told my u-joints are in good shape. My left rear leaf spring is sagging just a little lower than the right, I am about to replace those soon.

I have also heard in some Jeeps about the rear drums shifting on the hubs, but not sure if this applies to my 2001.

Any ideas?

Thanks,

Mike

**bmyohn** · 12-28-2007, 09:06 PM

how are your bushings in the leaf springs, shackles, and shocks?

srmitchell · 12-28-2007, 09:11 PM

My car has a know problem of worn shocks in the rear, I get a bad clunk over every bump, i'd check that.

Im sure its my upper shock bushings.

Good luck.

chicagoshooter · 12-28-2007, 09:15 PM

I am going to put in new bushings in the leaf springs when I replace them. I can check the shackles too, I did not know they had bushings. I am new to Jeeps

JeepRide · 12-28-2007, 09:19 PM

got a 98 xj it does the same thing

itasor · 12-28-2007, 09:27 PM

You need to take your rear drive shaft off and lubricate the slip joint on the transfer case end. On pre 96 XJ's it's lube by the transfer case fluid, but on newer XJ's it isn't lubed by anything and wears out over time causing a clunk sound exactly as you described.

Rowingfish87 · 12-29-2007, 11:23 AM

I have a "clunk" coming from my rear-end as well. mine is more of a "click click click click click" as I'm braking going from around 20-10mph then it goes away. sounds like its coming from the left rear. I took the drum off to see if the pads were loose or too worn...both fine. my axle does slide in and out of the housing about 1/16-1/32 of an inch...is that normal?

any other ideas?

itasor · 12-29-2007, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rowingfish87

I have a "clunk" coming from my rear-end as well. mine is more of a "click click click click click" as I'm braking going from around 20-10mph then it goes away. sounds like its coming from the left rear. I took the drum off to see if the pads were loose or too worn...both fine. my axle does slide in and out of the housing about 1/16-1/32 of an inch...is that normal?

any other ideas?

I had a click click click sound when I was braking and it ended up being a busted spring inside one of the drums. If it only happens when you brake, it's probably not the axle.

vswv8 · 12-29-2007, 12:40 PM

there's a tsb for clunking in the rear of the later cherokee's...........could be problem, IF everything else is propper.......

davevolk · 12-29-2007, 12:45 PM

I have the exact same problem with my 2001 XJ Sport. If you are real gentle with making a stop I don't get any "clunking" noise, but if I make a normal or sudden stop I get a definite rearend clunk. I did grease my the rear drive shaft zerk fitting slip shaft at the transfer case this fall. I have checked everything at it all seems tight. I don't recall hearing this noise before a few months back.

Dave
2001 XJ Sport
125,000k

itasor · 12-29-2007, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davevolk

I have the exact same problem with my 2001 XJ Sport. If you are real gentle with making a stop I don't get any "clunking" noise, but if I make a normal or sudden stop I get a definite rearend clunk. I did grease my the rear drive shaft zerk fitting slip shaft at the transfer case this fall. I have checked everything at it all seems tight. I don't recall hearing this noise before a few months back.

Dave
2001 XJ Sport
125,000k

There is no zerk fitting on the rear driveshaft. The front one has a zerk on the slip joint, so maybe you're getting them confused.

cajunbull61 · 12-29-2007, 01:16 PM

My 2001 has a light clunking noise when slowing down. I have put discs on the rear and had a complete rebuild of the rear end and still have the noise. I'm thinking the bearing surface on one of the axle shafts may be worn.

chicagoshooter · 12-29-2007, 02:16 PM

It sounds like this is common. I just do not want it to be a major issue and need even more repair at a later time. I will probably learn more when I replace the leaf springs and the drum brake hardware.

Thanks

itasor · 12-29-2007, 02:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chicagoshooter

It sounds like this is common. I just do not want it to be a major issue and need even more repair at a later time. I will probably learn more when I replace the leaf springs and the drum brake hardware.

Thanks

Like I said I would lube the slip joint before digging into the brakes or anything else. It's known that an unlubed slip joint causes clunks just like you're talking about.

sublime600 · 12-29-2007, 03:03 PM

Mine did same exact thing, I did this and now cured. Only takes less than an hour. http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f11/greasing-slip-joint-97-xjs-write-up-357569/

12-29-2007, 01:16 PM	#12
cajunbull61 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: ga Posts: 122 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	My 2001 has a light clunking noise when slowing down. I have put discs on the rear and had a complete rebuild of the rear end and still have the noise. I'm thinking the bearing surface on one of the axle shafts may be worn.