TJ owners w/ 9"rear and SWB {check-in}

ProjekTJ

Well-Known Member
Joined
Mar 23, 2005
Location
Salisbury
I'm battling a suspected driveshaft issue in a standard wheel base TJ with a Ford EB 9" Rear w/TracLock. 4" Lift, 4 link rear, Tom Woods shaft, SYE, appropriate shocks...all seems well.
The problem: Once the tires begin to move {slow or fast} there is a clicking sounds heard, sounds speeds up with the pace of the vehicle. (Not loud, similar to the eraser end of a pencil being held lightly to a fan blade) Leading us to believe it's the driveshaft, transfer case, or something in the 3rd.
3rd has been completely removed and inspected. All is well.
Driveshaft has been removed. Seems ok. {History: the driveshaft center CV ball has exploded once and has since been repaired by The Driveshaft Shop. It was in a horrible bind and exploded after about 300 miles of use. Likely a problem again, since the driveshaft is still binding at full droop. But the issue is at ride height.} The CV is currently our most likely culprit.
Transfer case: The vehicle has 100k miles, I've been told it was in good internal condition upon inspection when installing the SYE.
I can't disconnect the rear shaft and only run the front to test because it was originally build with a Bronco D44 front which has a more centered pinion. Since the original owner was running nearly 8 inches of lift, the driveshaft cleared the auto transmission oil pan but also caused the driveshaft explosion, aside from being too damn tall. I have lowered the vehicle to a more usable ride height and have since had the problem of the driveshaft contacting the tranny pan.
A two piece driveshaft will correct this problem, but I'm trying to fix one issue at a time...:mad:
LP 9" axles have been used since the beginning of time. How is yours setup and what front axle are you using.
Thanks in advance, don't tear me a new one, winning answer gets a free photo session.
Ok, go...
{Sidenote: I am not the original builder/owner. I am correcting problems as they arise.}
 
I don't have a 9" in my TJ, but I do have experience with TJ driveline issues. Could very well just be a worn out or dry u-joint. If the clicking is as fast as an eraser on a fan, it is likely upstream of the axle. The stuff in the axle turns 4-5 times slower than the driveshaft. If its a slower cadence, could be bent axleshaft or warped rotor or drum.

Ujoints come filled with grease from the factory, but grit gets in the seals and over time the grease diminishes. With the angles present in a short TJ driveshaft, the u-joints on the t-case end have to do a lot more work than in a flatter driveline. This puts more wear and tear on them, and shortens the life of the seals.
 
Probably the CV joint. Take it out and try to feel any roughness when turning. Also you may consider ginding a little on the connector piece in the middle to give more clearance or put a limiting strap on the rear.
 
Most TJs running 9'' in the rear are running a HP44 in the front. The HP44/9 is a very common combo. I have debated swapping in a set many of times. I exploded a rear drive shaft, stupidity on my part, due to binding. My pulled a junk yard CV Drive Shaft and had it cut to length, upon inspection the CV would click when rotated, ended up to be toast, Replaced the CV Joint and all is well. Hope this helps
 
i've gone through multiple cv's in the rear and it sounds like that is what your problem is... unless you have some play in the u joint... then that could also be it.
 
wranglerrambler said:
i've gone through multiple cv's in the rear and it sounds like that is what your problem is... unless you have some play in the u joint... then that could also be it.
Click to expand...

Have you been able to remedy the problem? Or do you just keep throwing CV's at it?
 
Lube the CV joint regularly and make sure it's clean. It requires a special adaptor to grease as its a female grease fitting.
 
GubNi said:
Probably the CV joint. .... Also you may consider ginding a little on the connector piece in the middle to give more clearance or put a limiting strap on the rear.
Click to expand...


This is a brand new CV that has been clearanced for more angle, IIRC.
 
awspence said:
This is a brand new CV that has been clearanced for more angle, IIRC.
Click to expand...

Adam is right. These parts we are dealing with are all brand new. And the CV has been milled down a bit internally for more clearance.
I'm curious about current setup with suspension, wheelbase, and pinion angle. Talk to me about those. I know things need to be tight, lubed, and in order.
 
Any way you could get a video/recording of the noise?
 
it is just a mallcrawler anyway :flipoff2:, you need to drop that T-case since you already have the spacers and see what that does for you.
 
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