This is my first post in this forum, so first off I'd like to say hello! I own an automatic 2013 4-Door Sahara with a 4 to 6" lift (sorry, I wish I knew more about the actual lift height). I bought the Jeep right around a year ago from a small used car dealer and it's my first one, so I'm trying to learn my way around it.
Anyways, this is going to be a long post, so apologies in advance.

Last summer I was off-roading on a very poor and rough road in the mountains, tried shifting into 4 wheel drive, and noticed a very strange grinding/clicking/popping sound coming from the front end. It concerned me, so I shifted back into 2 wheel drive and it seemed to go away. After coming down the mountain and getting back onto paved, flat roads however, I noticed I could barely turn right. Turning left and going straight was no problem, but for some reason I could barely turn right. I'm not sure if this is related to the noises I heard when I tried going into 4-wheel drive or if this happened from something else when I was off-roading. In addition to the inability to turn right, when I got down from the mountain, I also noticed a faint constant clicking sound coming from the front end when I drove (very similar to the sound I experienced when I was shifting into 4 wheel drive on the mountain). The best way I can describe this sound is by imagining holding a metal stick and running it rapidly down a chainlink fence, or it could also sound similar to having a handful of small rocks in a metal container and shaking it very fast. It sounds terrible, and has only gotten worse since this time. Unfortunately, I don't have the funds to take it to a dealer to get the problem diagnosed much less get it repaired. The turning issue was also a problem for a while after this, but I read somewhere that I could take out/replace the steering stabilizer for a "temporary" fix to that. When I did, I noticed my old SS was shot (literally wouldn't budge an inch) and I replaced it with a new one. The steering issue is solved for now, but the clicking noise remains and has gotten louder with more popping sounds as well. I also experience death wobble at least once or twice when I'm driving right now. I figure the issue must run deep, because I can't visibly notice any issues when getting underneath and looking around.

Finally, yesterday when I was driving home, my engine all the sudden lost power and my check engine light came on. It didn't matter if I put the petal to the floor, the Jeep wouldn't go higher than 40mph and wouldn't shift into a higher gear (pretty much hovered around 300rpms the whole time). I feel like it has to be related to the issues in the front end? Clogged cat? Something else? I'm not sure. I'm coming here hopefully to find some kind of diagnosis for all these issues, because right now I'm very much starting to regret buying this Jeep. Please help!

 

I would look at the u-joints in your front axle shafts, and also inspect the front drive shaft. If that is a factory front driveshaft, you have too much lift for it to survive. If you hear things like this that are not normal, the answer is not to continue driving and hoping all is ok, cuz it's not....hence now you have a wobble to deal with as well. It sounds like you were thrown in to "limp mode" for some reason, although I think it may be unrelated. What was the engine code that lit up your CEL? If you don't have a scanner, you'd be well served buying one. At the very least run by the auto store and get them to read it.

 

How about checking out or joining a local Jeep club, I’m sure if you have reduced funds you can probably get some help from some locals in the Dallas area. Ignoring issues will lead to bigger and costlier problems. Shouldn’t be too hard to diagnose what your problems are. Also, sounds like time to get familiar with your Jeep, possibly drain your front differential to see if you have any metal, chipped tooth. Also more info about your Jeep might help, how many miles, all stock, modified? If you see anything obvious pictures might help.

 

Went and got a free scan after work and it gave me the P06DD alert. After looking up more info on this, it seems to be unrelated to my front end issues and I just need to replace the oil pump. I'll post some pictures of the U-Joints later after work so yall can see if there are any issues there. Do you think it'd be beneficial to somehow get a video of the sounds it's making while I drive? I don't own a GoPro so maybe duck taping my phone in a safe spot would do that trick lol.

 

I hadn't thought of that. I'll look into it. My Jeep has a little over 92,500 miles on it. As far as I'm aware, it has mostly stock items aside from the lift, tires/wheels, winch and other more "exterior" parts. I'll post some pictures of the driveshaft and U Joints when I get a chance! Thanks.

 

This is a recording of the sound my front U-joints were making when they needed to be replaced. See if this sounds familiar to the noise you're hearing. Only occurred when I put it in 4WD, then turned or approached an incline while in 4WD.
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1lG...lqQu9NpE0g41C7

How they looked:

 

Hmm this sounds fairly similar actually, but I will say yours seems to be more "creaky" than rattling/popping like mine is currently doing? It's by far the closest I've heard though. Thank you so much!

 

That rusty dry u-joint just screams - Replace Me. You can simply replace the u-joints and keep the axles and outer stubs. Good for another 92,000 miles. Be careful out wheeling with the wheel spin at high RPM as that is a good way to blow the joints especially if you have some steering angle in. Other than that it is pretty hard to get into situations where you are going to break something unless you have huge tires on. Also that passenger side axle seal looks like it should be replaced. Good idea to replace them anyway if you have the axles out.