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Clicking/Tapping type noise??

1K views 13 replies 6 participants last post by  big_rudy101 
#1 ·
Hey all,

I was wondering if anyone could maybe tell me what this noise could be: When my 97GC LTD starts to roll, there is this weird clicking or tapping noise coming from the front og the car, mainly on the drivers side of the vehicle, and it gets faster as i accelerate and stops when i stop!~ Could this be the front Differential?

I noticed it after I had a flat on the passenger front one day, did not drive on the flat as it was a slower leak and was flat when i came out, changed the tire with a full size spare, and I started noticing the noise. Now could this be because the tire has more tread than the others and is throwing the balance off or something? I finally got a round to plugging the bad tire and am going to change it tonite to see if this is the issue, but could it be the front diff? It has been reallly cold lately too, and I was thinking the weather fluctuating so fast could cause issues in the front end! any help/advice is appreciated!
 
#2 ·
If it's a ratcheting sound that's speed sensitive, it's probaby a bad CV joint. Check the rubber boot on the end of the axle. If it's split open or you see a bunch of grease, it needs replaced. Does the sound worsen when turning?

Is the tire you replaced it with the same size as the others?
 
#3 ·
also check on the front drive shaft and the cv and double ardan joints. I just had mine fixed and it made those sounds. I also agree with earlier statement on cv boots.
 
#4 ·
Sounds like the CV.. Bring a breaker bar and some sort of rust buster..
 
#5 ·
Wiley said:
If it's a ratcheting sound that's speed sensitive, it's probaby a bad CV joint. Check the rubber boot on the end of the axle. If it's split open or you see a bunch of grease, it needs replaced. Does the sound worsen when turning?

Is the tire you replaced it with the same size as the others?
It is a ratcheting sound, and it is speed sensitive a bit. The tire is the same size, just 100% tread as apposed to about 30 on the remaining 4! is a CV joint expensive to replace, and is it easy to do myself? i just never had an issue like this so I am stoopid to the whole thing! i would rather know something before taking it to a mechanic and having them look at it!
 
#6 ·
It's a very easy fix.. the wheel, caliper, and hub all have to come off.. then you will see the axle.. you notice my boot was sliced and failed shortly after.. makin a rachet sound.. I got a new axle for 70 at pepboys i believe + CORE


The bolts you can see in the picture, theres three of them.... you need to drop the tie rod so that the hub will swing freely.. it will make getting those off much.. much easier... ask me how i know..

and bring a breaker bar to get the large nut loose in the middle of the hub..
 
#8 ·
ds4x4 said:
It's a very easy fix.. the wheel, caliper, and hub all have to come off.. then you will see the axle.. you notice my boot was sliced and failed shortly after.. makin a rachet sound.. I got a new axle for 70 at pepboys i believe + CORE


The bolts you can see in the picture, theres three of them.... you need to drop the tie rod so that the hub will swing freely.. it will make getting those off much.. much easier... ask me how i know..

and bring a breaker bar to get the large nut loose in the middle of the hub..
I did look uder last evening and saw there was grease at the rubber boot, looks like it is leaking, and it sounds like this is my issue! it is sooo damn cold here in MN right now that this is going to be a SOB to do right now! But the info you gave souds good, do I need any special tool to get anything off? What do you think a mechanic would charge to do this, I mean it is real cold outside!
 
#9 ·
you'll need some basic tools, sockets will make things go a little faster.. Someone can chime in for the size of the nut on the HUB.. I know it's a large one..
Bring rust buster and a breaker bar, I used the handle off a Hi-Lift and then stood on it and jumped up and down (for the large Nut).. Needle Nose pliers to remove the pin on the tie rod, it will be much easier to get the bolts behind the hub with the tie rod off.. It shouldn't take much time to do this but i know where your comin from doin things in the cold.. I don't have a figure for the mechanic, but it shouldnt take him no more than 2hrs at the longest.. you can get the axle at pepboys for $70 or so + the core charge.. and maybe ask them how much it would be to do it..
 
#10 ·
I'm pretty sure the axle nut is 36mm.
 
#11 ·
I had to use an impact wrench to that that stupid nut off. I was jumping on the breaker bar like a maniac, it wouldn't budge. It didn't help that the socket kept coming off the nut. The three bolts on the other side were seized just as bad. I'm not looking foward to the other side going out on me.
 
#12 ·
Wiley said:
I had to use an impact wrench to that that stupid nut off. I was jumping on the breaker bar like a maniac, it wouldn't budge. It didn't help that the socket kept coming off the nut. The three bolts on the other side were seized just as bad. I'm not looking foward to the other side going out on me.
SOB...Took the Jeep in to my buddies garage (he owns a import shop), and he had a guy there who used to work on jeeps, we took it for a drive and determined it was not the CV joint...they put it up on the lift tinkered around and discovered a chain was loose in the TCase, and it would have to be rebuilt to fix it??!

I asked about the grease coming out of the CV boot, and apparently it is not really leaking just a bit of grease from the weather changing so damn fast from hot to cold in MN! So apparently it will be a bit of a job to rebuild the TCase, but I am going to look around for someone to do it for me!

It's gonna run about 900.00 if I have them do it, seems cheaper to get another used TCase and have some one put it on for me then pay 900 for a rebuild! But they did say it was not too bad and that I could easily get through the winter no problem, but that rattling is going to drive me nuts! LOL Lifes too damn expensive is all I have to say!

Thanks for everyones input, atleast now I know how to get the CV axle off when that goes out!
 
#13 ·
well good luck:cheers2: .. i haven't done a tc rebuild so i can't give you any advice.. watch that axle though.. it shouldn't have any grease coming from it or it will fail sooner than later.. if grease fell on it thats one thing but if it came out of it watch out!

Glad you got to use an air tool on it Wiley, we didnt have a big enough air compressor and enough tank to do any good....
 
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