I have a 2000 Cherokee Sport and I am in the process of trying to find the source of a noise I'm hearing, and doing some inspections, and unrelated to the noise, I noticed 2 things I am not sure of. First off, where the axle shaft goes into the axle, there is a round, plastic piece which looks as though it should fit flush against the axle, but it is a good 5mm off of it on both sides. I assume this is just a dust shield to keep particles from going into the axle, but it is not a seal. Is it sitting 5mm or a little more outside the axle a big deal? Also, with it in 2WD, I have spun the right front tire, and notice that sometime the drive shaft to the front pumpkin rotates, sometimes it doesn't. There seems to be no rhyme or reason to it. Is this normal, since it is in 2WD right now?

Thanks in advance!

 

ditch it and get a high pinion front axle out of a 97-99

 

Sounds like you are OK with the "dust shield", or whatever it's called.

NO! you are in 4WD guy! "with it in 2WD, I have spun the right front tire". Assuming your selector is in 2H something is f*#&d up. Does the linkage (T-case shifter),feel like it's OK? Also will it go into 4 Low?

 

I'm sorry, I should have been more specific. I have the car jacked up right now with a brake issue, and I am spinning the hub by hand. Sorry, I didn't mean spinning it, like on a road, I meant spinning it by hand

 

Are you watching the left front while you are spinning the right? With the right front axle solid, or "engaged", (my 90 has a Vacuum controlled spline disconnect there, yours may not), when you turn ether front wheel in 2WD, ether the other wheel, or the shaft will turn. They are both free, is just a matter of friction. Ether might turn.