[RAAB3485]

My girlfriends 2004 TJ X 4.0 5 speed with 20k on the clock has been doing this since she bought it and it just finally started bugging me enough to ask about it. When you start moving from a stop, in 1st gear or reverse, right as you let the clutch nearly all the way out there is a "clink" noise that comes from underneith the Jeep. Kinda sounds like if you tapped an empty campbells soup can with a spoon. It only does it out of first gear or reverse, only when starting from a stop (or near stop). It does not make any noises in 2-5th. Also, it does not make the noise if you have it in neutral and press and release the clutch, only if it is engaged in gear. There is no noticable shift, or shake or anything to that effect, it can only be heard, not felt. The Jeep had 14k on it when she bought it and has not worsened at all up to 20k, just been something I have been meaning to look into. Also, she does have an X, so it came with puny tires but the previous owner put 31s on it with the factory Dana 30s with 3.07 gears if this is valuable info.

If anybody has any ideas on what this could be I would appreciate it. Not sure if its just something TJs do, or if I have a loose bushing/joint/etc. I am pretty technically inclined so if need be I can replace stuff.

Thanks Guys

[jkulbeth]

Does it do it both hot and cold? I had an old Ford that made a similiar sound, but only in first from a take-off. I took it in and it ended up being a loose exhaust flange. When it was cold, the torque of the engine was just enough to make the flange shift and make a tinny sounding 'clank'. Once it warmed up it would go away. I re-torqured the bolts and it went away.

Just a thought.

[PennyRokStomper]

mine does it too.. I just always thought it was the tranny mount moving under the torque of the drivetrain....

[RubiconSS]

Sounds like the throw-out bearing. When you are just sitting there(in neutral) pushing the clutch in and letting it out does it click ??

[natedigity]

start small, check your u-joints first

[RAAB3485]

Originally Posted by jkulbeth

Does it do it both hot and cold? I had an old Ford that made a similiar sound, but only in first from a take-off. I took it in and it ended up being a loose exhaust flange. When it was cold, the torque of the engine was just enough to make the flange shift and make a tinny sounding 'clank'. Once it warmed up it would go away. I re-torqured the bolts and it went away.

Just a thought.

Hot and cold day or night, its just every single time from a stop.

Also, would the u-joints be an issue this soon? 20k?

I've put throw out bearings in a couple of old toyota pickups before, but this is nothing like the symptoms those trucks had when they needed them. They whined while you had the clutch pedal pressed, which is also what my brother's S-10 does (as it needs a throw out bearing also, and a new clutch). Do Jeep throw out bearings have a different symptom that I am not aware of? It also seems strange that it would need one already at only 20k.

Do you think that the extra strain applied to the drivetrain due to having 31s with only 3.07s could attribute to any of the above noted things wearing out prematurely?

Thanks guys

[BDuece]

I have a 97 that I just bought and it does the exact noise that you describe. I was thinking it was either the tranny mount, slip yoke, or the universal joints. I'd be interested to find out what it is.

Bill

[Flatbroke]

mine does it too.

[98JEEPTJ]

Mine does the same thing I think it's just the drive line slack. mine doesn't do it all the time but every now and then depending on the angle and how I stop it will give a little tap....

[jdlawhon]

I have the same sound, I think. Sounds like it's coming from the rear axle. It's done it on my '04 pretty much since it was new. Took it in to the stealership one day, talked to the shop foreman, made it click a couple times for him, and he just said it had something to do with the pinion shaft or something but nothing that would hurt anything. He said he could grease it up to quiet it down for a while, but that it wouldn't shut it up for good. I've got 25k on the Jeep now with no problems.

BTW, I have a D35, 3.73, ran 31s for about 21-22k, and 32s for the past 3-4k.

[yellowjacket]

i have an 04 tj it did the same thing took it to the dealer and thay tighten up the exhuse hasent done secen than

[Radix]

I'd be curious if it does it in 4-wheel as well as 2-wheel drive... I've noticed the front driveshaft has a little play in it when in 2wd (but no play in 4wd), and since there's no way to unlock the front hubs, when the front wheels start turning, the differential and driveshaft will eat up that play pretty quickly, and you might get a clink/clunk/whathaveyou when that happens...

Keep in mind I'm no expert by any means...this is just speculation based on my own observations..

Cheers!

[asjokvis]

I have the exact same problem but I have a 3-speed Auto. It only appears when starting from a complete stop and it sounds like it comes from the rear axle.

It's just a little "tink" and it appears in both 4wd Lo, 4wd Hi and 2wd.

Sometimes it disappears for a week or so...it seems to depend on the weather. If its raining (moisty air?) or in wintertime it's quiet and in hot dry days its back again.

Do you guys that have this problem also have LSD in your rear axle? I have a D35 with LSD and starts to believe it has something to do with that Trac loc...

/Andreas

[rjkjoe]

I have an 05 with 5000 miles and it does the same thing. I took it into the dealer yesterday and the service manager listened to it. He said that the sound was normal and that he's heard that sound many times before with no problems arising from it.

[ekim]

I had a noise somewhat like this. But - it did not happen every time I started. It turns out the that rear upper control arm bolt/nut on the frame side was loose. If you decide to check - put a wrench on it. Mine was more than hand tight, but with the wrench it was obvious that it was too loose.