Horrible Horrible Chirping

msumike1 · 02-04-2008, 01:38 PM

I know I have seen something about this before, but I can't find the thread today....

My '06 Wrangler X has a horrible "chirp / squeek" noise. The sound seems to be coming from deep in the dash behind the center A/C panel. I have done some digging, pulling, and holding to try to stop the noise...it has not helped.

It sounds like a metal on metal chirp. It's at its worst when driving on bumps, but also happens a bit during acceleration.

The best solution so far is to either take the top off or turn up the radio.....I need something better. Suggestions???

thanks in advanced.

Big4banger · 02-04-2008, 04:52 PM

i have the very same thing going on, have you had the door off or the window down since this has started? i originally thought mine was coming from in the dash till i had the window down and now i think its coming from the underbody.

rmack · 02-04-2008, 05:09 PM

when does it make the noise?

jeeptillidie · 02-04-2008, 05:18 PM

If it only makes the noise while the vehicle is moving then its the CV joint in your front driveshaft.

Big4banger · 02-04-2008, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeeptillidie

If it only makes the noise while the vehicle is moving then its the CV joint in your front driveshaft.

what is the easiest fix, and by easiest i mean not expensive

**Jerry Bransford** · 02-04-2008, 06:04 PM

How many miles are on your '05? Do you do much offroading where your driveshaft could be immersed in mud or muddy water?

Toyofast · 02-04-2008, 06:41 PM

Is your heater or your fan motor on? Since you mention it's behind the dash, perhaps for some reason the blower motor is not up to par and causing some noise.

Igetit · 02-04-2008, 07:22 PM

This may be something totally different, but could be worth a try:

I had something similar happen the last time I was wheeling - turns out the front differential didn't fully disengage after the last time I took it out of 4WD. It was the most Godawful chirping/grinding noise I had ever heard. I stopped, re-engaged the front end, disengaged it again, and everything was back to normal.

CrunchTJ · 02-04-2008, 07:44 PM

I know you mentioned that you think it's coming from behind the dash, but the softtop latches on the windshield frame do this on mine. Took me forever to figure out what is was. It was fixed with a little grease.

Does it do with the top down?

Big4banger · 02-04-2008, 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jerry Bransford

How many miles are on your '05? Do you do much offroading where your driveshaft could be immersed in mud or muddy water?

i have not been out since October and the noise did not start till around decemberish but yes it has spent plenty of time submerged

ohh and it has around 21,000 miles on it

**Jerry Bransford** · 02-04-2008, 08:18 PM

Yeah that kind of regular mud immersion is really harsh on u-joints and the CV joint itself. I wouldn't doubt your driveshaft needs to be rebuilt with a new CV and u-joints. When those go bad, it causes the dreaded "angry sparrows" sound that sounds like what you're describing.

Personally I avoid mud at nearly all costs.

truckin88 · 02-04-2008, 08:21 PM

I had a similar issue in my 06, one of 3 of the bolts that holds the air box to the fender lost it's nut, it was horrible and annoying $1.00 fix at home depot...I originally thought it was suspension, dealer thought it was brakes and turned the rotors...

Fix Thread (with pics)
http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f9/found-my-squeek-squeak-1-00-fix-495220/

sweetguardian00 · 02-04-2008, 08:26 PM

im having the same problem, except its only when the clutch is out, as soon as i put even the slightest pressure on the clutch, it stops, it sounds like a shaft spinning on a chalkboard with pieces of chalk glued to it, or like a canary in my transmission, please, make the noise stop!!!!!

GringoLoco · 02-04-2008, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big4banger

i have not been out since October and the noise did not start till around decemberish but yes it has spent plenty of time submerged

ohh and it has around 21,000 miles on it

That mud looks like the ideal conditions to get dirty water in your centering ball assembly on your front driveshaft. That's what mine did. To find out for sure, get an 8mm wrench and backup wrench, and disconnect your front driveshaft from your front differential. It's only 4 little bolts and they're easy to get to. Once the front is disconnected, tie the driveshaft up out of the way to the frame or something, as long as it doesn't fall down or bind with a control arm or something. Now take it for a spin. If the noise is gone, your front driveshaft needs to be rebuilt. It's not difficult, but you have to buy a few u-joints and a centering ball assembly. Sorry I don't remember how much I paid off the top of my head. But yeah, watery mud gets into the needle bearings in there and really screws things up.

edit: I took a call while I was posting, didn't realize the most probably answer was already posted, lol.

**Jerry Bransford** · 02-04-2008, 08:32 PM

One thing about clutch problems after wheeling in deep mud... the secret (ok, not so secret) is to not push in on the clutch pedal when the tranny is in deep mud. Doing so just allows mud to flow in between the clutch and pressure plate. Don't shift gears in mud, and if it stalls don't push in the clutch to start the engine. Keep it in 1st gear while you're in mud so if it stalls, leave it in 1st gear and just re-start it while it's in gear without stepping on the clutch. You DID already insert the fuse so you can start your TJ without stepping on the clutch didn't you?