Hi everyone,

I have a 1998 Jeep XJ that has started exhibiting this behavior over the last week or so.

Basically, clutch feels good, stick engages in gear, but as soon as I release the clutch (to the place where it usually engages a f/r gear), the Jeep makes kind of a "bumping" motion and moves neither in forward nor reverse. If I push the gas a lot, the keep makes a semi-grinding sound followed by a clunk then goes into gear. This ONLY seems to happen after several days of precipitation, in particular if I haven't driven the Jeep during that time.

Any insights as to what it might be? Maybe rear u-joint sticking or something?

 

make sure your rear brakes are not sticking. The drums are famous for th

 

Can you roll it forward/backward freely in neutral?

 

Thanks for your response!

That was the first thing I tried: Taking it out of gear and trying to either push it or let it roll. I was unable to do either. Then again I was doing it myself. Next time I'll ask my wife to give a push so somebody can mind the handbrake. :-)

Either way I'm pretty sure that the wheels aren't turning freely.

After thinking about this more, I'm guessing this is a brake thing. The rear brakes I know need a replacement. Between this and the grinding sound I hear at times from the rear end maybe that will be my first step.