[itasor]

Lately I've been hearing a small knocking sound from the Jeep but only when I'm stopped at a stop sign and then accelerate and turn at the same time. It does happen sometimes if I am stopped and going straight and accelerate. The harder I accelerate it seems the more the knocking sound happens (louder, longer).

I've never really heard engine knock, so I'm not sure that's it. However because it only does it when I'm turning and accelerating or accelerating straight, it leads me to believe it has to do with the engine working harder. It never happens after that though, even if I get going up a hill where it's working hard.

I would imagine when turning and accelerating the engine works a little hard because the wheels want to go straight and you've overpowering them to turn? If that makes any sense...

Could my driveshaft be unbalanced or maybe my u-joints loose? I can't really pin point the noise which is driving me crazy.

[Paul_C]

So it doesn't knock while sitting at a stop, only during take off and it's worse during a turn. My first guess would be the axle universals.

An engine that has a knock will knock whenever it's running and the knock will follow the rpm's. not the speed of the vehicle. If it is an engine knock then most likely it's the piston slap syndrome. That's usually worst at an idle then gradually goes away as the rpm's raise. Any way to post an audio recording?

[itasor]

No it doesn't knock AT ALL at idle or at any time after accelerating. You're correct -- it's worse during a turn.

Like I said I wasn't sure it was the engine because it sounds like like from somewhere down underneath the engine in the front (axle u joints makes sense).

I'm not sure I can post an audio recording because it's barely audible to me and sometimes if I mention it passengers can't hear it unless they really pay attention.

As long as it's not the engine, I won't worry about it until it gets worse and I can figure out exactly what it is. I have had problems with choppy steering in the past that went away (many suggested ball joints or axle u joints).

It's more like a "clunk clunk clunk" than it is a knock noise like something would be clicking.

Thanks