Stats: "06 Wrangler TJ fully loaded Approx. 29K miles" '4.0l, 6sp 370x, 235 75-15 tires)


Hi Guy's (Gal's):

This issue originated way back in late summer of '08.
It started out as a slight tink'n sound, as if you grabbed a coke can and pulled the tab at the top and it slipped from your finger and made that metal on metal tink'n sound.
At that time it was accompanied by a squeaky kinda like rubber bushing sound.

The dealer where the jeep was purchased was contacted and jeep was taken in.
Many, many, many visit's later and multiple dealerships (headaches, cuss'n) the sound is still there! Lol!

What has already been done to try to rectify this issue:
Clutch, flywheel, all asse. parts replaced....
Rear drive shaft and joints in rear end....
Completely new 3rd member, ring/pin, axle housing, bearings.....
Slip lubed and checked......
Rear brakes and all ass. parts inspected multiple times.....
Rear linx replaced.....
Fluid replaced in Trans, rear end.....

They've had the entire jeep apart from the drivers position back.

Friday I took jeep to an independent facility and had them look, listen and they feel the sound is coming from the front and not the rear.

So, after all this....what I'm asking for help with is a way in which to continue the tracing / tracking down of what this pop, snap, chatter, clunk noise could be. Yes after this much time the noise is there and growing louder and is happening when tourq is applied to the drive train either going 4wd or reverse. It happens when going in and out of off camber driveway entrances, drive thru's, or when backing up into parent driveway or at home pulling into garage. The clutch will be fully engaged and it will happen.
I'm coming here to ask for some help from the many knowledgeable folks here.

What could this be?

C. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

Over the months (years?) I have been following your posts of the noise.
You now post a LOT of places where you can hear the noise.
A small place like yours or other driveway where the noise occurs would be the best place to find the problem. Why not find a particular place where it occurs every time thus and such is done. Get out and have your friend do that act over and over while you attain various positions around the Jeep to find where the sound is made..
From the distinct sound and location you have written about I'd first guess a shock tube. Either something is loose and hitting it or something inside is loose. But that is just a first guess. And also my understanding of the particular sound..
Big JIm <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/pfft.gif" alt="" />

Thanx BJ.

I figure at some point the issue will finally come to a head. I noticed backing into the drive with the trailer attached and repositioning the wheels to correct for the trailer produced a much louder pop/clunk noise yesterday.

C.

Well, BJ's advise was good. Me, I'd let it pop,creak, make nasty sounds till something broke or I could tell for sure what piece it was. Then fix it or let it ride, depending...

Have you checked your front axle u-joints? My drivers side is worn and will be replaced shortly when I do my brakes (140K miles) and when I make a sharp turn it will creak and pop a little.

Sean

Yea Sean

I'm starting to wonder if all this noise may be from just a simple faulty U joint in the front drive shaft or the the wheels.

C.

Does your wheels have hub caps? I once had a hubcap with a small occasional click in it that drove my nutz for a few weeks.. It wouldn't hurt to take em off for a few days, if you have em.
Big JIm <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/pfft.gif" alt="" />

No BJ no hub caps. Lol! That would have been real nice.

C.

You need to find a mechanic with a tool called a "Chassis Ear". (The dealers are supposed to have them but their techs probably stole or broke them long ago <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/rodent.gif" alt="" />). The tool has microphones connected to small clamps on long wires that the tech can clip to various suspect parts to track where the noise is actually coming from. It comes with six microphone clamps, headphones and a switch box to allow quick switching between points to help with the diagnosis.

If you have receipts showing the multiple attempted repairs under warranty, you should call your local Chrysler zone office to see if they can help you get this resolved. If you are the original owner, and they still can't fix it, you have a good case to get the Jeep bought back under the lemon laws.

Tinny metalic clicks rarely come from the heavy driveline parts, usually I would find a control arm bushing moving in the arm/s or axle brackets, undertorqued suspension and/or body mount bolts, etc. I've even sen where the floor pan of the TJ was flexing and causing an oil-can popping sound. Usually, it's someting very small and stupidly overlooked.

Thought I'd update:

I decided to take "Silver" to a small local shop and pay for there expertise....
They believe it is the lower control arm bushings having the difficulties.
My questions:
How do you safely remove the lower control arms?
How do the bushings, sleeves work?
Which end is the likely culprit?
Should the jp be on jack stands or ground?
Should the trans, transfer, brake be on?
Is a impact wrench needed to do this?

Side note:
How do you remove the front drive shaft (4 bolts by X-fer case)?

C.