I have an 81 Jeep CJ 5 that I hunt in S. FL with. About 3 years ago the rear end tore up in it, so I tore it down and rebuilt it. In the process I decided to check the front end, and it was not in the best shape, so I decided to rebuild it also. I did not have the time to do it myself, so I took it to a local shop and had them do it. I took it back to the woods and drove it around for a month or 2 w/no problem. They put in a new shell rock road on our hunt club (harder surface than we normally drive on here in the S FL swamps) and one day while driving on this there was a very load pop followed by a bunch of banging! I had no clue what was wrong so I took it back to my local mech. and he said both the front and rear ends were fine? Well I drove it some more and every so often it will pop very hard, almost as if something is catching. One day when it did it, I noticed the transfer case came out of low range, and so I realized ok, it's the case that's bad. Took it to a drive train specialist and he said nothing was wrong w/it!!! I took it to another guy to get second opinion, he too told me the same thing. So, out comes the tranny! I take it to my local mechanic and he says there was quite a bit of wear in there and reccommends I rebuild it. So I have him do it. I take it back to my camp and begin driving it again, and not a 1/2 mile from camp it does it again!!!! Sorry to be so long winded, but I'm at worlds end w/what the problem is.

The only thing I beleive that hasn't been checked is the ratios of the front end and rear end. When I redid the rear end I did not change the ring gear, but the front ring gear was shot when I took it to my mech. and he replaced it. Is this the only other thing it could be? I've had several "Jeep" guys look at it, and they cannot figure it out. I've also replaced every wheel bearing and seal in both the front and the rear to eliminate them as suspects.


Help!!!???

Duece <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />