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="" />

I'm gonig to make a guess here... You seem to have good mechanics and good parts. So I'm thinking you either have it in 4X4 and hit some hard packed soil which will BIND up the drive train. OR you have at least one tire that is out if size with the others.
4X4 is intended for loose soil only. Using it on hard packed soil or pavement will result in loud pops.. caused by the different speeds of the wheels. This is a NORMAL happening occuring with almost any 4x4.
Big Jim <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/pfft.gif" alt="" />

I agree with BigJim. It sounds like the friction ability of your new road is too high to use 4WD on - you should be using 2WD. A definite way to verify this is to go on a loose dirt or sandy road (or snow), and see if the thing pops when you're in 4WD. If not, then it's definitely the case that the new road is like pavement - don't use 4WD on it.

I'm not sure Florida has ever seen snow, at least not since the last ice age. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

True, but that assumes that he's always going to wheel in Florida. I wheel out of state fairly frequently, as do most of the people I run with.

if he is hunting in florida i have to go with jim . i live in florida & i know the area he is in. the shell roads can get as hard as concrete after it gets wet a couple of times. you should be in 2wd until you get off of the shell. & btw guys it snowed here last winter <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/butwiggle.gif" alt="" /> it snowed all the way south to orlando it may not have stuck but it was snow so <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/nana.gif" alt="" />. LOL>

Ok, I need to clarify. The pop is so hard that the vehicle almost stalls and does literally "jump" once whatever is bound up releases. It also has done it in the sand and mud, but not as much once on the roads. I ran these tires for 2 years before all the mechanicing went wrong. Can tires get out of size by running or sitting? <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

I have had this jeep since 86' and have run it on shell roads before in 4wd with no problem, so I don't know that it is the road that's doing it. Just some more tidbits of info. I thought I'd add. Thanks for the responses.

Duece

Duece you have just described a common happening for EVERY 4X4 on a hard surface.. The tighter the turn the quicker and harder the vehicle will JUMP and POP!
This can also happen in a tight turn on seemingly loose terrain.. If the tires get a good purchase and the steering wheel is turned the difference in radius between the front and the rear is the cause of the popping.
STOP keeping it in 4 wheel while on a hard surface.. If 4X4 isn't needed TAKE IT OUT!
There is nothing wrong with your vehicle.. The driver needs more education about how a 4X4 works.
Big Jim <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/pfft.gif" alt="" />

I know everyone else has already said it, but I'll say it too, it sound like you are in four wheel drive on a hard surface. There is a HUGE difference between 4WD and All Wheel Drive. 4WD does not have a center diff in your transfer case where AWD does, so AWD can be drive on dry hard surfaces, 4WD CAN NOT be use on dry hard surfaces with out having loud clanging / popping sounds, and the vehicle feeling like its binding up and being loaded up and held back.

My personal general rule of thumb for 4WD, is I only use it when I NEED it. I will drive around all winter on snow and ice in 2WD, I only switch over to 4WD if I think I am going to get stuck. When I go wheeling I start out in 2WD and again, only switch over to 4WD if I think I am going to get stuck.

If I were you, if you were still really concerned about your rig, I would go find a nice muddy area that had very low traction and see what your 4WD does, I would be it will be nice and quiet.

Just my 2 cents

Sean

He says he's had this Jeep since '86....He would have had the same problem long ago if it was the fact that he's in 4wd where he ought not to be. Agreed, it should not be in 4wd unless needed, and 4wd on a hard/ grippy surface will cause exactly the symptoms he describes. But it does sound as if something else is going on. If the tires are good and you drive in a straight line generally it will not bind and pop even on a hard surface.

But do test it out in some good mud to make sure....