Ok, my 00 XJ (4.0L, Auto, 8.25 rear) is giving me some strange noises, and they are really too intermittent to pin down. Thought you guys might have some ideas. It only started recently and seems to happen the most frequent when it is really cold out and it hasn't had much time to warm up. It doesn't happen every time under these circumstances, but that seems to be when it happens the most.
Basically, it is a loud.. noise.. upon acceleration, and only when starting from a standstill and only when giving it a little more gas than usual. Almost like a rattle, but deeper, coming from the rear. I thought it might be the exhaust pipe rattle against my shackle (I have 2" extended shackles and one touches the exhaust pipe -- yes, yes I need to cut it..). That doesn't make sense, though, because it would happen all the time...
Anyhow, could this be the rear u-joint? How would I check it? Could it be something in the diff (doubtful)? I don't know, but the noise is pretty loud. Loud enough to really get our attention today.
Thanks guys.
Eric