Grinding sound when turning left or right
 

When I turn my '97 Cherokee Sport hard left, the left wheel makes a grinding sound as does the right side when turning hard right. Is this just a Jeep thing or what. I jacked up the front and turned the front wheels and could hear the grinding noise only when they were cranked (it's not a tire rubbing sound allthough they rub too).

Re: Grinding sound when turning left or right
 

Did you check your steering stops?
or have someone crank the wheels(no jack) and take a look to see if anything is rubbing.
Also, could it be your power steering pump making that noise?

Re: Grinding sound when turning left or right
 

Nothing is rubbing and it's not the steering pump. I don't know what the steering stops are. It only makes the noise when turned all the way left (sound on left wheel only) or all the way right (sound on right wheel only).

Re: Grinding sound when turning left or right
 

ok.steering stops or bump stops as they are sometimes called are either bolt like "stoppers" or "nubs" to prevent you from cranking the wheel either way too far to prevent damage.They sometimes can make a noise when the wheels are turned to the limit of their travel.this may be caused by a broken/worn tie rod end or other steering components.
check your tie rods,drag link,sway bar,sway bar links,ball joints...etc..basically all the components of your front end.The noise is only when turning so it's pretty much limited to front end parts.
Just give it a good check and you should be able to find what's making that noise.
A partner turning the wheels back and forth will help immensely.

Re: Grinding sound when turning left or right
 

Cool. Thanks for the detailed suggestions to check on.

Re: Grinding sound when turning left or right
 

Just checking to see if you found anything wrong.....so? any news?let me know ;)

Re: Grinding sound when turning left or right
 

I turned the wheels and watched but nothing seemed to cause the noise, it just did it when cranked all the way. The tire rubbed (different sound) but that's all I noticed. I've heard other people with cherokees 93, 94's say their Jeeps do a similar thing. So maybe it's a Jeep thing? The only way to know is maybe to take it all apart, but just not turning all the way will work for me now.

Re: Grinding sound when turning left or right
 

Grab the top of the tire with both hands and try to "shake" it, do it at the front and rear of the tire to. If you get any noticable movement of the wheel or some axle noise your wheel bearing/ hub may be wearing.

Re: Grinding sound when turning left or right
 

The wheels don't move and I just got the left wheel bearing replaced. I also got the other side checked and nothing.

Re: Grinding sound when turning left or right
 

Just guessing here but if you've changed the diff fluid lately did you put any/ enough friction modifier in?

Re: Grinding sound when turning left or right
 

I don't know what was done to the fluid, but my mechanic is a 4wd guy who builds engines and stuff so I'm sure he did it right. Plus it's been making those sounds long before I got the differential stuff done.

Re: Grinding sound when turning left or right
 

Not familiar with 97 chreokee's, have you checked the boots of the cvjoints?
or if you have ujoints, how r they?

It is strange that u hear a "grinding" when the front is in the air and now axle spin...
might even be the steering stabilizer...

Have an assistant do a slow crank of the wheel till u hear it then have them roll the wheel back and forth from the grind to slack then back...

The slight wiggle of the wheel turning slightly may help you pinpoint the noise...

So crank steering wheel till you hear the noise,
then let go of steering wheel,
then slowly crank back till the noise comes back...

Good Luck and Keep us Posted...

Willy

Re: Grinding sound when turning left or right
 

it is likely your CV joints. the bearings or the rubber is likely worn. they usually need to be replaced every 100 - 150 000 kms
google it and you will get a comprehensive explanation.