Jeep Noise
 

Yes, I know that Jeeps making odd noises isn't very Earth-shattering, but the wife's Jeep has started a new and hitherto unheard noise. It happens while coasting and braking, not under acceleration. Kind of a clunking or rattling noise, and I can feel it under my feet when I drive it, so I figure left front. My first thought was the transmission, but somehow I don't think so. Maybe suspension, and the weight transfer under acceleration gets rid of it? I got under it and yanked on control arms and such, with no obvious movement.

Thoughts would be welcomed. Thanks.

Check the end links of the sway bay if it has one (not a jeep guy).

I just had to replace them on my old car that I'm about to sell.

u-joint maybe

Bad gas

Good thought. It's a 2005 Grand Cherokee. I think it has sways at front and back.

Yeah, that's a possibility. The drive shaft is huge. Kind of funny that we've had the beast since 2005 and I've never been under it until a few days ago.

Ban jeeps.

U Joints are easy to check. Most of those Jeeps have a built in u joint gauge in the dash. Have you noticed a light come on that says "check u Joint"

No, I haven't seen such a light.

Does it make that noise when she puts it into reverse?

Not that I'm aware.

Then you probably have a faulty u joint gauge also.

Could be a wheel bearing. I had a 2007 Suburban that had wheel bearing issues and would clunk when you applied the brakes.

Great....

That's interesting. She had it washed last week and the noise went away until today.

u joints

LMAO

u joint guage....

hitherto

heat shield.

dodgeforum.com

LMAO

JeepsUnlimited was a good source of info for me once, haven't been there in a long while though

Sounds like the wipers need lubricated. A healthy dose of oil based lubricant on the blades should do the trick

Probably a U joint.

Is it 4WD? If it is it could be something in the transfer case or a driveshaft from the transmission to transfer case.

Get to a garage. U joints don't just fall out when they come apart. One end comes apart and the other keeps spinning - either from the transmission or the back wheels turning. That almost always tears shit up.

Yes, it's AW/4WD

ROFL

That's outstanding! I'm telling my sister that shit today!

Get it to the garage now before that shit comes apart.

U Joints are cheap. The stuff they tear up is not.

If it's a transfer case problem, get to it before it breaks the **** out of everything inside the transfer case or locks up and twists the driveshaft off.

Thanks. I will. It's up at Breck at the moment though...

Change the transfer case and gear oil, while you're at it.

I don't know if those have u joints or cv joints.

FYP

Gear oil is awful awful stuff.

^^^^

I call the non synthetic liquid dinosaur.

U- joints first..if that's not it..front differential...

Heh. She said that the noise went away after a few minutes. Maybe climbing up to the divide warmed things up...

I don't recall the last time I've read hitherto in a sentence and I read quite often.

Just crank the radio....you'll be a'ight

Do you think it was the homeless child she was dragging under the car or the dog tied to the rear bumper?

It could have been either, I suppose. Probably kept up for a few miles, too.

if you thought u-joint gauges are real you need to just take the thing to a shop and get it properly checked

Will they have a U-joint gauge checker?

ya, it's called twisting the driveshaft by hand.

Will that make the warning light come on? I could give that a try before taking it to the shop.

try the pizza stone

If there's slop in the driveshaft it will be obvious. If there's a cv shaft that's bad at one of the wheels it's not so obvious.

Donger loves him some sloppy shafts.

Just drive it over the nearest cliff, then call the insurance company. Works every time.

Considering that it seems to be localized at the left front, I think a bad CV is likely the culprit. Why would it be intermittent, though?

That raises a question: do I yank on it length-ways or side-ways? Both?

just twist it..if there is any play, you'll know.

Kinky...

LMAO

If there's contaminant inside the boot or it has lost some of its grease packing due to a torn boot, it may be getting lubrication intermittently. If it tends to make more noise when cold, it's probably because the grease is less viscuous when cold and it's not getting where it needs to be at that time (not enough grease inside the joint)

Fetzer valve

A part is going bad, it hasn't totally failed yet. It will work properly sometimes until it totally breaks.

Excellent, thanks.

Hence, driveshaft.

..was always glad my Cherokee had a straight front axle.

Would they be able to diagnose a bad CV joint without it making the noise?

The wifes dad has an early 2000 Jeep. Maybe 6 months ago or so he said he could feel a "wobble" during braking. He done some digging around and came up with a problem apparently only Jeeps have. He told me all about it then but, of course, I didnt pay much attention due to the fact I just didn't care:(

But, if it is just happening during or shortly after braking, it likly is due to this tire issue he was talking about. Its got a name (this tire condition) but I cant remember what its called. But if memory serves, something with the way Jeeps are built wont allow for smaller ply tires (like 4 or 6 ply). I guess they work ok until they start getting a little age on them, but eventually the sidewalls start having this problem.

May not be the same thing, but thought I would throw that out there. Wish I would of paid better attention now.

This thread is hilarious.

I don't know if your Jeep has CV. Last I knew most of them had a transfer case. If it is AWD vs 4WD it may.

Its AWD. No option for selecting 4L or H, or whatever it is.

Not sure what you mean by this. My 96 gmc truck has a transfer case and cv joints on the front differential.

google "death wobble" you don't even have to put in jeep, it comes right up

I get a lot of those at my shop

death wobble applies to Wranglers, CJs, TJs, YJs

Probably right. I thought that was just for front wheel drive vehicles.

When I had front wheel drive car that had a CVJ go out, it clicked when I would turn a corner but only then. This does not sound like the same symptoms.

I agree with those mentioning the U-joint though, that was my first thought when I read the OP.

My old Jeep made a clunking noise in the rear end. It ended up being some worn out gears in the rear end. Cost about $1500 to fix. If this is coming from up front under the passenger seats, may be a problem with the transfer case. Get it checked out before it causes major damage.

Probably the constant velocity joint at the transfer case

This

Finger, sounds like a u joint to me. Or a wheel bearing. U joint connects the drive daft to the diff, so get under there and see if the drive shaft has some play in it

Also, your wife won't bitch so much with your balls in her mouth. Just sayin

you are dentist

pony up a couple of bucks and take it in for a rotation and alignment. theyll suss out any front end problems especially if you ask for them to check fluid levels (hint!).

I would guess both

and we have a winner

loading and unloading

it would be easier if dong would say the model, year and miles. until then death wobble fetzer obstruction is quite possible. donger on his back playing with a shaft makes this thread.

Yeah, but it seems to go away once everything warms up. That's what I meant with intermittent.

Hi. I don't believe that we've ever interfaced. My user name is Donger. It's nominal to meet you.

I already stated the model.

I already stated the year.

The mileage is 78,000.

I can't see you rolling around on the ground trying to replace a $150 CV joint, so you might as well take it to a shop. If you want to know a ballpark price go to repairpal.com