[dasdaner]

My 97 tj has developed a chirping sound from the rt front end. It had started with it not being that noticeable and progressively worsened. It can be heard ay any speed now, and doesn't stop with braking. It cannot be heard with the vehicle at a complete stop.

Do the 97's have brake sensors that would be causing this and if so wouldn't it stop while applying the brakes?

I have 31's and a 2" coil spacer lift would this in any way cause the chirping?

Any and all help would greatly be appreciated.

Dana

[Owen]

its probably angry sparrows. Do a search on it here and you will find tons of answers.

[quadna71]

owen's right - ujoint most likely on the front driveshaft

[RckyMtnTJ]

Yes, it definitely sounds like the "angry sparrows", but it's not a ujoint. Its the ball centering kit thats in the front driveshaft. Some people find spraying some WD40 in it (located between the 2 u-joints at the transfercase end) will quiet it enough too diagnose it. I find its easy enough to drop the front driveshaft (8 bolts) and see if it goes away. It is a rotating squeak noise that goes faster as your wheel speed goes faster. To me it sounds alot like 10 coat hangers scratching on a chalkboard.

Good luck,

Jeff Niwa

[dasdaner]

Thanks everyone, I will take a look tomorrow. let you all know. I don't want anyone to lose sleep over this

Thanks
Dana

[cspann]

I doubt that will happen

[Kraemer]

I got it...it stopped when I lubed it then cmae back after mudding...my driveshaft took a good pounding on some rocks...and that stopped for a lil while...

HTH and GL

[Joezilla]

I've had that I think, it stopped when I sprayed the underneath out, and basically dissapeared. I'm going to go with the wd-40 next time.

[RckyMtnTJ]

Originally Posted by Jeepzilla Joe

I've had that I think, it stopped when I sprayed the underneath out, and basically dissapeared. I'm going to go with the wd-40 next time.

Jeepzilla Joe,

WD40 isn't a cure. It will just clean it out enough and lube it up some to quiet the squeak. What it also does is wash out the grease. WD40 is more of a cleaner than a lube. What you need to use is type of needle fitting on your greasegun. Much like the air fitting used to fill a basketball. You will likely need too take the driveshaft off to use this fitting and get some grease in there. Another option is to swap in a greaseable ball centering kit.

WD40 won't fix the problem, and when ball centering kits go dry, they have been known to grenade and take transfercases and/or differentials with them. Make sure to fix it right. Anytime I have had the angry sparrows, I have let it go a few weeks and have had no problems. Just don't let it go too long.

Jeff Niwa

[Diamond Sahara]

Hey guys,

before i get flamed for the subject:

My old man turned me on to this new stuff, Thrust, PennDot mechanics will not use wd-40, only thrust.

I've tested this new stuff out my willys lugs. left tire got soaked with wd-40 and the right with Thrust, for about 4 hours. Right lugs came right off, with a tire iron, left lugs took an air wrench. Just to be sure, i soaked the right rear with wd-40 and the left rear with Thrust, same results.

I'm sold. There's a can of thrust in my old wd-40 locale.

LDM

[usetobejeeper]

Got to agree with Jeff, I’m dealing with this right now. Took the driveshaft off and inspected the CV joint. At first it looked OK and I thought I would save $45 and just regrease the thing. Well a couple of the spider bearing fell out and while getting ready to put them back I noticed they were wore pretty well. Couldn’t notice it while they were in the joint, but it makes sense, I mean if it’s to the point its squeaking then one should assume some damage has been done.