Dreaded "Clicking"

Pote · **Posted:** Fri Sep 21, 2007 4:21 pm

I've read numerous posts about clicking coming from the wheels. I recently started to have the occasional click coming to a stop in residential driving (25MPH or less) . It occurs only once in a while at stops or very rarely making a slow turn, but I cannot force it to happen all the time. Maybe 1 time out of ten stops, even less turning.

I have read that "usually" this indicates the CV joints might be getting ready to fail...is that correct? I've checked the usual suspects like rocks being caught in the treads (this has happened and they have clicked at slow speeds only to stop when the rocks are pryed out) but recently, none of those incidental things are involved.

I called my sales guy and he told me CV joints are included in my extended warranty, but since I can't get the car to do it all the time, it might not be ready to come in. (I took that as saying, if they can't reproduce the sound, they might now have a warranty claim). he also said that until it gets to be happening all the time, I'm not going to hurt anything else. is that true as well? don't want to risk any further damage, but if I take it in and its not happening at all and they are still within spec, its just a waste of everyones time.

also, he referred to them as U-joints when I said to him CV joints...not being ultra mechanic savvy, didn't know if they are one in the same...u-joint = cv joints?? is that correct?

with that said, should I take it in sooner than later, or wait until the clicking becomes more permanent? any thoughts are much appreciated in advance.

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Fri Sep 21, 2007 10:36 pm

Mine has been clicking for some time now and I dont have a clue what it is. It clicks like crazy when I turn and sometimes when Im going straight at low speeds.

I have no vibrations. If I jack it up by the control arm(angle doesnt change much) it doesnt click. If I jack it up by the control arm and turn the wheel to lock and anywhere in between it wont click. If I grab the CV there is no slack in it. Idk what it is. Im just going to let it click till it explodes going 75mph down the hw. Ill know what the problem is then. :lol:

If anyone has any ideas please give them to me. Im home from school this weekend so I can check it out good. It does sound like its coming from the passenger side. 2wd or 4wd does not make a difference.

Christopher · **Posted:** Fri Sep 21, 2007 10:46 pm

Sorry to say I am not sure what the noise could be. I have some squeks after I installed my lift but that is when the suspension compresses on a bump.

But for the record a U-joint is NOT the same as CV joint. Do a little googling. :lol:

Chris

Pote · **Posted:** Sat Sep 22, 2007 9:21 am

Christopher wrote:

But for the record a U-joint is NOT the same as CV joint. Do a little googling. :lol:

Chris

I didnt think it was either...ahhh the Google...thanks for the reply, you guys ARE my Google.

LOL ....btw, I could NOT get my KJ to "click" at all yesterday....I know it will randomly do it a couple times over the weekend though...will see.

Skyjump136 · **Joined:** Tue Jul 05, 2005 6:50 pm **Posts:** 1633

Make sure you don't just have a rock caught in your tire tread. Then I'd wonder about a bearing going out.

CVs give more of a popping sound than a click...just to make sure throw it in 4 wheel drive and go up a hill. If it is the CV the noise will get much worse in that scenario. Good luck.

USPLibby · **Joined:** Thu Jul 28, 2005 12:29 am **Posts:** 377

Try checking the rims\tires too. Rotate it to the rear on the other side and see if the sound is still there on that side.

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Sun Sep 23, 2007 10:05 pm

I checked mine alittle more this weekend. If I turn left it will do it but not if I turn right. 4wd or 2wd doesnt change a thing. If it turn the wheel left and hold the cv joint I cannot feel the click when its moving(dont ask how I was feeling of the CV while it was moving, I do not recommend trying that

). I can, however, feel the clicking if I have my hand on the rim when its moving.

I jacked up the Jeep and there is zero slack in the bearing. No vibrations, lugs tight, its LOUD, no slack in the CV's.

Im going to switch the front wheels to see if the noise moves with the rims. Maybe I have a cracked rim? Ive never hit anything although I do crawl curbs at the mall. :lol:

Pote · **Posted:** Thu Sep 27, 2007 10:12 pm

update on mine: front brakes were 85% used up and the rotors had some rust pitting but still had alot of metal left. So, they turned the rotors below any pitting and put on new pads before I got the new tires on and everything is smooooth.

Have not been able to get the click back at the usual stops and starts and turns so I hope that was the cause. CVs looked fine.

Christopher · **Posted:** Thu Sep 27, 2007 10:15 pm

Really? Well thats cool but I guess I dont understand how that would effect you when you take off. Unless they where sticking. weird

Chris

Freshmud · **Posted:** Fri Sep 28, 2007 4:50 pm

i thought this happened to me last night, had a huge bolt in my tire

Christopher · **Posted:** Fri Sep 28, 2007 4:53 pm

That will do it. I wish my problem was that simple.

Chris

chetos · **Posted:** Fri Sep 28, 2007 5:34 pm

I had this problem years ago. I turned out to be my smart stupid friend sitting in the passengers clicking his pop can tab in unison with the speedometer. :oops:

Christopher · **Posted:** Sat Sep 29, 2007 8:22 pm

Well mine ended up being loose sway bar bolts that connect to the links. Tightened them down and no noise.

Chris

sot1213 · **Posted:** Sat Sep 29, 2007 10:33 pm

We have a 02 and we had the clicking sound, it was te cv joint. The extended warrenty did cover parts and labor we had the front axle changed and no problem since. Just as a side note the cv boot was not busted but the joint was going bad. Hope this helps.

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Sun Sep 30, 2007 11:03 am

I believe mine is a bad wheel bearing.

KJ4ME · **Posted:** Sun Sep 30, 2007 1:45 pm

the last time i had clicking like this i just pused teh 4x4 lever all the way down really hard and it went away

Pote · **Posted:** Mon Oct 01, 2007 12:44 pm

well guys, it as you gurus pointed out, it wasn't the breaks/rotors either. I just had the clicking resurrect itself and I'm baffled. however, I was able to determine now that its not coming from the front axel or wheels. It almost sounds like its coming from beneath me on the drivers side or just back a bit further...possibly under the rear passenger seat (drivers side) or it is coming from the driver side rear wheel...but it REALLY sounds like its below me or the backseat...what in the heck could it be. Again, it's not repeatable by me, its randomly occuring. It happens as I slow at a stop sign...never when starting from a stop, but always when slowing to a stop. The and it has a tempo to it...the closest thing I can describe is it sounds like when you do have a bolt stuck in the tire or a big rock caught between the treads....as you slow to a stop...the clicking slows as well with the revolution of the tire. It does occur sometimes during a slow turn when the breaks are involved with the turn, i.e. pulling into someones driveway. But not everytime, and without rhyme or reason...I'm stumped. They said my CVs looked good, should I take it somewhere else for a second opinion? Again, I've definitely ruled out the front tires or their CVs since I can clearly hear the sound coming from under me or the rear seat area...what are your thoughts? It's starting to worry me that I've got a potential problem in the early stages.

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Mon Oct 01, 2007 1:11 pm

Check your ujoints on your rear driveshaft.

Pote · **Posted:** Mon Oct 01, 2007 2:05 pm

Jeepjeepster wrote:

Check your ujoints on your rear driveshaft.

how do I go about doing that myself? thanks in advance.

Christopher · **Posted:** Mon Oct 01, 2007 6:14 pm

Its pretty easy to pull your rear drive shaft. There are four bolts at the rear diff clamping the universal joint. you pull those four and the two caps they hold. Then take off the clamp holding the rubber boot on the back of the transfer case. Then it will slide out. You can rotate the joints and feel for loose or grinding bearings in the caps. Either is bad. They are cheap. replace them.

Chris

Dreaded "Clicking"

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