I have a '99 XJ with almost 57,000 miles. Had both differentials
serviced at 30,000. The other day, I heard a sound I've never heard
before. I had driven an Interstate for about 60 miles at 70-80 mph,
and had come to a stop at the end of an off ramp. When I accelerated
and made a right turn, I heard a sickening chattering/popping noise
from the rear end. I drove 100' and turned right again, into a parking
lot, and heard the same sound. It sounded to me like the clutches in
my limited slip were binding for some reason and didn't want to let
go. Anyway, I drove slowly another 1/4 mile to my destination with
very little noise (but very few turns) and parked it for an hour.
After that, drove back to the Interstate with no noise. Did the return
trip, another 60 miles on the Interstate at 70-80 mph, and heard the
same noise when I made the turn off the off ramp. So I pulled over and
parked it awhile. After that, no noise. Been driving around town for a
few days since then and still no noise.
Seems as long as I don't go fast for very long, no prob. But a long
distance at high speed does it. I can't think of anything else back
there that could make a noise like that except my limited slip. I'll
take it to the shop on Wednesday but thought I'd ask here first to see
if anybody has any ideas about what else it could be? I'm hoping
friction modifier and/or new gear oil (time for service anyway) will
resolve the issue but .... I dunno.
Thanks in advance for any input.
Rick
--
HeBeJeepN
'99 XJ, Selec-Trac, Trac-Lok

 

That same thing happened to my Chevy van with limited slip rear end. I
changed the differential fluid, added a friction modifier and that took care
of the problem. Most differential lubes now have friction modifier already
in them. If not, friction modifier is available in a separate small bottle
at most auto parts stores.

Tom

<HeBeJeepN@hotPOP.com> wrote in message
news:74il30t4afsdnmf08f05raucnslkdldonr@4ax.com...
> I have a '99 XJ with almost 57,000 miles. Had both differentials
> serviced at 30,000. The other day, I heard a sound I've never heard
> before. I had driven an Interstate for about 60 miles at 70-80 mph,
> and had come to a stop at the end of an off ramp. When I accelerated
> and made a right turn, I heard a sickening chattering/popping noise
> from the rear end. I drove 100' and turned right again, into a parking
> lot, and heard the same sound. It sounded to me like the clutches in
> my limited slip were binding for some reason and didn't want to let
> go. Anyway, I drove slowly another 1/4 mile to my destination with
> very little noise (but very few turns) and parked it for an hour.
> After that, drove back to the Interstate with no noise. Did the return
> trip, another 60 miles on the Interstate at 70-80 mph, and heard the
> same noise when I made the turn off the off ramp. So I pulled over and
> parked it awhile. After that, no noise. Been driving around town for a
> few days since then and still no noise.
> Seems as long as I don't go fast for very long, no prob. But a long
> distance at high speed does it. I can't think of anything else back
> there that could make a noise like that except my limited slip. I'll
> take it to the shop on Wednesday but thought I'd ask here first to see
> if anybody has any ideas about what else it could be? I'm hoping
> friction modifier and/or new gear oil (time for service anyway) will
> resolve the issue but .... I dunno.
> Thanks in advance for any input.
> Rick
> --
> HeBeJeepN
> '99 XJ, Selec-Trac, Trac-Lok

 

That same thing happened to my Chevy van with limited slip rear end. I
changed the differential fluid, added a friction modifier and that took care
of the problem. Most differential lubes now have friction modifier already
in them. If not, friction modifier is available in a separate small bottle
at most auto parts stores.

Tom

<HeBeJeepN@hotPOP.com> wrote in message
news:74il30t4afsdnmf08f05raucnslkdldonr@4ax.com...
> I have a '99 XJ with almost 57,000 miles. Had both differentials
> serviced at 30,000. The other day, I heard a sound I've never heard
> before. I had driven an Interstate for about 60 miles at 70-80 mph,
> and had come to a stop at the end of an off ramp. When I accelerated
> and made a right turn, I heard a sickening chattering/popping noise
> from the rear end. I drove 100' and turned right again, into a parking
> lot, and heard the same sound. It sounded to me like the clutches in
> my limited slip were binding for some reason and didn't want to let
> go. Anyway, I drove slowly another 1/4 mile to my destination with
> very little noise (but very few turns) and parked it for an hour.
> After that, drove back to the Interstate with no noise. Did the return
> trip, another 60 miles on the Interstate at 70-80 mph, and heard the
> same noise when I made the turn off the off ramp. So I pulled over and
> parked it awhile. After that, no noise. Been driving around town for a
> few days since then and still no noise.
> Seems as long as I don't go fast for very long, no prob. But a long
> distance at high speed does it. I can't think of anything else back
> there that could make a noise like that except my limited slip. I'll
> take it to the shop on Wednesday but thought I'd ask here first to see
> if anybody has any ideas about what else it could be? I'm hoping
> friction modifier and/or new gear oil (time for service anyway) will
> resolve the issue but .... I dunno.
> Thanks in advance for any input.
> Rick
> --
> HeBeJeepN
> '99 XJ, Selec-Trac, Trac-Lok

 

That same thing happened to my Chevy van with limited slip rear end. I
changed the differential fluid, added a friction modifier and that took care
of the problem. Most differential lubes now have friction modifier already
in them. If not, friction modifier is available in a separate small bottle
at most auto parts stores.

Tom

<HeBeJeepN@hotPOP.com> wrote in message
news:74il30t4afsdnmf08f05raucnslkdldonr@4ax.com...
> I have a '99 XJ with almost 57,000 miles. Had both differentials
> serviced at 30,000. The other day, I heard a sound I've never heard
> before. I had driven an Interstate for about 60 miles at 70-80 mph,
> and had come to a stop at the end of an off ramp. When I accelerated
> and made a right turn, I heard a sickening chattering/popping noise
> from the rear end. I drove 100' and turned right again, into a parking
> lot, and heard the same sound. It sounded to me like the clutches in
> my limited slip were binding for some reason and didn't want to let
> go. Anyway, I drove slowly another 1/4 mile to my destination with
> very little noise (but very few turns) and parked it for an hour.
> After that, drove back to the Interstate with no noise. Did the return
> trip, another 60 miles on the Interstate at 70-80 mph, and heard the
> same noise when I made the turn off the off ramp. So I pulled over and
> parked it awhile. After that, no noise. Been driving around town for a
> few days since then and still no noise.
> Seems as long as I don't go fast for very long, no prob. But a long
> distance at high speed does it. I can't think of anything else back
> there that could make a noise like that except my limited slip. I'll
> take it to the shop on Wednesday but thought I'd ask here first to see
> if anybody has any ideas about what else it could be? I'm hoping
> friction modifier and/or new gear oil (time for service anyway) will
> resolve the issue but .... I dunno.
> Thanks in advance for any input.
> Rick
> --
> HeBeJeepN
> '99 XJ, Selec-Trac, Trac-Lok