i have a 99 jeep cherokee classic. i can hear a rubbing/grinding noise when driving in the front end. i can only hear it clearly when not accelerating and coasting at lower speeds, otherwise engine noise muffles it. my research so far says wheel bearing, u joints, and maybe a differential problem. im trying not to be vague and will do my best to answer questions you guys may have, i just havent read anything yet online that describes the low grinding noise i hear. i appreciate any input you guys may have thanks.

 

my ujoint has play in it on my driver side axel shaft and also my front drive shaft i can grab and move a tiny bit. figure i might as well replace them all. when i lift car and spin front tires i can here the rubbing noise though. perhaps wheel bearing? the ones ive had go bad on other non jeep cars always screeched when gone bad.

 

As a very general starting point:
Does the noise change if you tap the brakes? If so, look at the pads, rotors and calipers. How about when you turn left or right? If the noise changes when turning, check the wheel bearings.
If you get ticking, popping, crunching or wheel hop with the steering at it's extremes, check the u-joints.
If it sounds like a family of screech owls has moved in under your jeep, check the front driveshaft cardan joint.
Of course there are plenty of other possibilities, but it's a starting point.

If you can hear the noise with the jeep in the air, use a short piece of vacuum hose to find the source. One end in your ear, the other end moving from part to part to locate the noise.