'99 Jeep Cherokee makes clunking noise in front - 4-wheel drive fails - what's wrong??

Hi,





I have a 1999 Jeep Cherokee Sport. At all times I can hear a clunking noise in the front driver side. The other day we had a major snow storm and when I put it in 4-wheel drive the "part time" light went out and it stopped moving and started whirring.





I put it back in 2 wheel drive and it got moving again but I still heard the clunking.





I heard a rumor it could be my U joints. Does that sound right? If so, about how much does it cost to fix that?





I'm a woman and tend to get raped at the mechanic's... I want to make sure I'm not going to get quoted 5x's more than the actual cost.





Thanks!|||If your hearing the clunking noise from the jeep while it's in 2wd it's your front u-joint (which shouldn't cost much to fix, relatively easy job). Now on the other, your transfercase linkage is out of adjustment.|||loser is on the right track. It cannot be the u-joints, but might be a simple as a linkage adjustment..I pray.


U-joints will not and cannot make it come out of gear.


Good Luck|||I think your transfercase is not engaging all the way and it throws it out of 4 wheel drive. I have a shop adj the linkage. Try finding a local 4x4 shop have them check it out they will be all about a Jeep Chick LOL and they are not about ripping people off!!! Also have them check u joints





If your jeep is a 99 and never had u joints replace I check it out. Go to Napa tell them you need Spicer u joints for your jeep (best one can buy) about $10 each and you will need 4 2 front drive shaft and 2 for rear. and it take them maybe hr to hr and 1/2 on labor so I say $100 for them to do it.





eD|||it could be your u-joints. I would think it would be around $300 depending on your shops hourly rate|||transfer case is not engaging or coming out of gear