weird front end Popping noise while driving

[Joshua Edward Pavao]

Hi everyone.. I’m having an issue with my 1995 jeep grand cherokee (5.2L 318 v8) making a popping noise while in drive or reverse. I’m 99% sure it is coming from the front end 4wd drivetrain. Sometimes when it pops i can feel it in the transfer case shifter.

Here’s a description of my issue so far:

i’m getting a popping noise that’s loud under load, and if i baby it acceleration wise, it still pops, just not as often or as loudly. It does not pop once per wheel rotation, but more like 3 times per tire rotation. It’s not a steady pop-pop-pop in even intervals, but for example, once i take off from a stop sign it will pop loudly a couple times rapidly, even intervals, then as torque increases through rpm range the pops will sound like a malfunctioning machine gun and be erratically spaced. It pops in reverse, drive, but not while coasting in neutral. My first though is that it was the Transfer case chain, because i KNOW the Viscous Coupler in the Transfer case is bad because doing figure 8’s is MURDER and feels like i’m riding a pissed off horse, or a jeep that’s stuck in part time 4wd Then i heard from someone that the chain in the np249 is one of the stronger chains, and they said it was very unlikely that the chain could be jumping teeth as often as mine is popping. So now i’m thinking it’s got a beat up ring/pinion gear… it makes the noise regardless of whether i’m turning or going straight… regardless of speed although at higher speed it pops much less loudly and less frequently, it had a bad driver side CV axle so i replaced it… pass side seemed OK… but either way it’s not popping in any way like what i’ve heard cv joints pop like… it pops even when decelerating, although NOT if i slide it into neutral once i start braking and take the torque off the drivetrain. Could this be a ring gear missing teeth? I’m really baffled at this point, and i can’t find any videos that describe the sound my jeep is making.. i’ve never heard anything like it before. I’ve got a couple videos up on my youtube channel if anyone can check it out and let me know what you think it sounds like. I’d be very grateful… i just can’t find another instance of a vehicle making the same sound as mine.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCP437OzX_PKzZ4EeZZ9pXAA

there are two videos with the sound… the best example of the noise is called ‘bad transfer case chain?” then i have one where there’s more driving with the sound called ”1995 grand cherokee noise”.

Topic

[Randy Henke]

Double check your transmission mounts might be loose and causing a weird popping or vibration noise.

[Chris]

I thought “U joint” when I listened to it.
IDK if there are any U joints on this rig.

[Author]

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