Front end squeek, only when cold

[MikeBK]

I have a squeek from what sounds like the front wheel, drivers side. Jeep has to be moving at least 10mph then a pulsing squeek starts,it increases with speed. Is it possible the axle bearing is on it's way out,and why would it make noise only when it's cold out? This is on my 04 Rubicon w/49000mi with stock Dana 44.
Thanks, Mike

[MUDMNKY]

Hi Mike! I have the same problem with my '03 TJ. Started when the weather got colder here in the CO. mountains. Sounds like a loud chirping sparrow with the rythm of a cricket, LOL! It only does it when the air temp gets close to freezing and the jeep has been sitting for awhile. It starts between 1st and 2nd gear and after about a mile or so down the fwy it goes away. I'm lost. Friend of mine said it sounded like it came from underneath the front end near the skid plate. I've been checking out other threads and I think I'm getting closer to at least having something intelligent to say when I take my Jeep in to have it looked at! LOL!

[BulldogTJ98]

mines doing the same thing. Ive got a 98 TJ on 33s

[moechick007]

Originally Posted by MUDMNKY

Hi Mike! I have the same problem with my '03 TJ. Started when the weather got colder here in the CO. mountains. Sounds like a loud chirping sparrow with the rythm of a cricket, LOL! It only does it when the air temp gets close to freezing and the jeep has been sitting for awhile. It starts between 1st and 2nd gear and after about a mile or so down the fwy it goes away. I'm lost. Friend of mine said it sounded like it came from underneath the front end near the skid plate. I've been checking out other threads and I think I'm getting closer to at least having something intelligent to say when I take my Jeep in to have it looked at! LOL!

mine does the same. gets a lot better when all the joints are greased. the only other squeaky jeep that i've actually seen remedied of this was a grand cherokee.. their cause was a bent rear axle shaft. not sure if its the same deal with mine or not..

[MikeBK]

Originally Posted by moechick007

mine does the same. gets a lot better when all the joints are greased. the only other squeaky jeep that i've actually seen remedied of this was a grand cherokee.. their cause was a bent rear axle shaft. not sure if its the same deal with mine or not..

What joints are you talking about greasing?

[MUDMNKY]

OK all you squealers...here's what I found. Go check this out. Reading some of the other threads about this squealing lead me to this site:

"Stu Olson's Jeep Site"

www.stu-offroad.com/axle/driveshaft/driveshaft-5.htm

A search for "angry sparrows" will get you there also. See you there! LOL!

[DaOne]

If it is the "angry sparrows", make sure you do not ignore it for too long. Get the front driveshaft serviced sooner rather than later. If it lets loose, it won't be pretty.

[MUDMNKY]

Thanks, DaOne. Getting on it!

[MikeBK]

Originally Posted by DaOne

If it is the "angry sparrows", make sure you do not ignore it for too long. Get the front driveshaft serviced sooner rather than later. If it lets loose, it won't be pretty.

Does the front driveshaft spin in 2 wheel drive?

[mdm]

Originally Posted by MikeBK

Does the front driveshaft spin in 2 wheel drive?

Yes..........

[JPROBSON3]

Mine does the same, thing, I have been ignoring it, it goes away only about mile down the road, but I never though it was a joint problem, just sounded like rubber rubbing, but I'll look at the joints (oh... and it happen only when it get below about 48-46 degrees, and its been sitting overnnight

[MikeBK]

Looks like its Time to rebuild the front driveshaft, Thanks everyone

[MUDMNKY]

Wow! Asketh a question and Ye receiveth an answer! This has been great. Thanks for all the input and let me know how it goes, Mike and JP. I'll let you know how my rebuild goes and if that sets those angry sparrows free. Night, all!

Mudmonkey, over and out.

[jprs_peeprs]

The Angry Sparrows is a bit different then the crickettes.
The Crick sound is actuall inside the manual trany on some newer model tj's. Here is a tsb:
http://project-jk.com/images/tsb/TSB_06-002-07.pdf

C.

[MUDMNKY]

The angry sparrow is quiet! With the help of some muscle and the suggestions I found here at this site, my Jeep no longer squeals! What we found was that one of the bearing caps on the joint closest to the front of the cv assembly (clostest to the shaft) was rusted and bone dry! The dust cap was split also. It literally fell off while working to get the u-joint out. So...there it is. Think I'll go out to dinner now...

Found the Spicer greasable u-joints for 10.79 each and the cv centering kit for 49.22 at Drivetrain Industries in Denver, CO. 1-800-525-6177 or 303-292-1100 (dti-inc.com) and the u-joint tool at Harbor Freight in Westminster, Co. for 32.99,(hope this helps if you're in the Denver area).

Thanks everyone!