Hello all. I replaced my worn out leaf springs a month or so ago and since then I’ve been noticing a grinding type noise when I’m decelerating. It is really noticeable when going under 55. From what I’ve read on here this seems to come up more often when a lift is installed and seems to be from the changed angle of the drive shaft. I did not install a lift, just replaced stock for stock. Could this still be the case and I need new U joints? Thanks.

 

ill say driveshaft ujoints..if your old leafs were sagging, the new leafs almost act like a lift and the ujoinyd are noe not in the oosition they wore into.

 

Thanks. That seemed to be the trend, but everything I was reading had to do with actually lifting the Jeep. I will say that it seems to have gotten a little worse after I installed the new transmission and motor mounts this weekend, so that would seem to be more of an indication of worn U-joints.

 

Could also be closer to the differential. Maybe the pinion bearing under the yoke?

 

I was thinking that could be a possibility as well. The pinion seal is leaking a little and needs to be replaced. I might just have to break down and replace the bearing as well.

 

There's some decent how-to videos on youtube.

 

Did you torque down the leaf spring bolts before or after you took it for a short drive?

 

 

Did you torque them with the Jeep sitting on the ground/suspension loaded?

If not, they're gonna bind like hell.

 

 

 

Another update. I replaced both u-joints in the rear drive shaft and replaced the drive chain in the transfer case and the noise is still there. I guess my only other option is to check the rearend. Oh well, my wife’s recommendation is to drive it until it breaks and then I’ll know for sure where the noise was coming from. All I know is I’m tired of listening to it and I’m tired of throwing parts at it.

 

That's what I do, well I wait until the noise gets loud so I either me or a shop can easily locate the problem. Just to give you an example my mgm had annoying squeak that neither me or my mechanic could locate over the past month the squeak got much louder and I was able to pinpoint it to the hood. Noise is fixed now but I drove around 10k until I could hear it with the windows up and the radio blaring Metallica.

Anyways if you suspect it's the differential I would try changing the fluid. Old fluid will make differentials noisy from my experience. Jeeps are noisy by design so it will never be as quiet as a sedan just something to keep in mind. Mind makes all kind of noises and it's in tip top mechanical condition (besides and axle u-joint). I used to think my steering was messed up until a mechanic basically said suck it up or drive something else (he test drove it and checked all my suspension parts plus did a proper alignment with 1/16 toe in).

 

dragging brake drums im not sure if you took those off but could have switched left with right and have different wear in them.. just a suggestion

marc

 

I didn’t mess with the brakes any when I did the leaf spring replacement. I have a feeling it’s in the rearend though. I just need to pull the cover off and see what it looks like. If it’s bearings, I can do the others and inners, but I don’t have the tools to do the pinion bearing.

kbeam, I’m not too worried about most of the noises on this thing. It creeks and squeaks like crazy, but this is something a little different. I’ve also never been able to deal with a vehicle that leaks, but I’ve come to realize that I’m just going to have to deal with it if I want to own a Jeep.