front end noise.

[madrabbitt]

I've been driving with my windows down lately, and i've been hearing some noises from the front end so I figured i'd get some opinions on it.

At higher speeds, say more then 30 or so, it sounds like a chirping or tweeting, pitch varies with road speed, and its more obvious if i'm driving where the noise is reflected back at me, like in alleyways or narrow streets, or even if theres a car next to me.
Defiantly sounds like its coming from the front axle.

At low speeds its more of a clunking or ticking sound, maybe like u-joint clunk.

All driveshaft u-joints are about 15k old, and have been properly lubed.
Front axle joints were replaced within the last 2k miles, however, the shop that did them isnt exactly competent 100% of the time... i've had some bad mistakes come out of there... and i cant get ahold of the owner, since he took a job in mexico recently, and his brother is running things now.


The truck isnt currently being driven very far right now anyway, since i've got some fuel pressure issues i'm trying to clear up, but i'm looking for opinions on what i should start thinking about on this problem.


Very likely, its going to have to go to a mechanic for this, since i cant exactly do a front axle teardown in my parking space... it would lead to another "but he's working on his car" argument for my apartment manager and the people upstairs (who tried to do a complete tranny and engine swap on a chevy corsica), and I want to save him the headache... plus any car working time i might have this month will be devoted to the wife's pathfinder, because its the "reliable" car at the moment, and its being a little *****y at the moment.

[xjmatt]

Originally Posted by madrabbitt

At higher speeds, say more then 30 or so, it sounds like a chirping or tweeting, pitch varies with road speed, and its more obvious if i'm driving where the noise is reflected back at me, like in alleyways or narrow streets, or even if theres a car next to me.
Defiantly sounds like its coming from the front axle.

Is the change in pitch associated with change in wheel speed or change in engine RPM? Chirping/tweeting coming from the axle I'd have a look at your alignment. If you're running an AT or street tire and it's off even a little on those hot NM roads you might be scrubbing a little. If it changes with RPM I'd take a good look at your serpentine belt and check all pulley's in the system for any play. Especially the water pump and idler pulley.

Originally Posted by madrabbitt

At low speeds its more of a clunking or ticking sound, maybe like u-joint clunk.

All driveshaft u-joints are about 15k old, and have been properly lubed.
Front axle joints were replaced within the last 2k miles, however, the shop that did them isnt exactly competent 100% of the time... i've had some bad mistakes come out of there... and i cant get ahold of the owner, since he took a job in mexico recently, and his brother is running things now.

The fear of shotty workmanship is a big one here. First thought is definitely u-joints (but you said these are pretty much new) and second is hub bearings. Check for bad hub bearings by jacking the wheel off the ground and trying to push the top in and pull the bottom out and vice versa. If you get any play in that direction it's often a hub bearing. Next thought is inspect your hubs and the hub bolt. If any of them are not tightened to spec then you could get these symptoms. The hub bolt is that 36mm one on the outside that's tightened to 185 ft/lbs.

Good luck and if you do tear into it yourself... find a shady spot.

[madrabbitt]

Originally Posted by xjmatt

Is the change in pitch associated with change in wheel speed or change in engine RPM? Chirping/tweeting coming from the axle I'd have a look at your alignment. If you're running an AT or street tire and it's off even a little on those hot NM roads you might be scrubbing a little. If it changes with RPM I'd take a good look at your serpentine belt and check all pulley's in the system for any play. Especially the water pump and idler pulley.

its is not underhood noise. there is no noise at all when the vehicle is stationary, and when moving slowly and walking next to the truck, it is defintly coming from the front suspension rather then the engine bay.

i'll try checking the hub bearings like you suggested. Its a good next step.

[1996xj]

Chysler put out a service bulletin about their lower control arms making a clunking or popping sound while turning or braking.

[madrabbitt]

its not just turning and braking.
the noise is constant.

[madrabbitt]

It looks like a hub bearing may be the cause of at least part of it... any other suggestions or things to try to narrow it down?

[madrabbitt]

well, i still dont have an exact explanation on what its doing.
so, most likely, next check, its going to a shop

[cj7jeeps]

Just wanted to update in case someone is searching for it..i had the same issue and posted it awhile back. Finally figured out the problem for me it was a combination of rotors needing replaced...took off the backing plates (with a grinder) lol just hacked off the lower portion where it had rubbed the rotors after wheeling and then replaced the rotors and put new pads on and a ton of brake quiet on the back where the steel plates are...i dont know what one thing was causing it for sure but that was my solution.

[madrabbitt]

Oh, i never did update.
Turns out the front driveshaft was the culprit.

Its been since removed and replaced with a good junkyard unit, and i need to tear down into it one day, so i can have a good spare