Clunking or popping noise off roading.

olddesertrat · **Joined:** Sat Jul 28, 2018 10:54 am **Posts:** 34

Hello:
Need some help with noise while driving trails. Have 2006 Jeep Liberty CRD 4x4. Just got done with almost full front end rebuild few months ago. Put around 920 miles on after rebuild. Was fine on paved road and rough trails...until 3rd time on rough trails.
Slightly rough trails is fine. However now when climbing over rocks on trail there is clunking or popping sound to appears to come from under center of Jeep or Left front side. Seems to come from different places at different times. Very loud. Enough to make me head home. Noise does not change if am in 2wd or 4wd.
Once back on paved road will lightly clunk a few times going through bumps/dips, then completely goes away.

Troubleshot:
1. Pulled front tires off, checked all linkage and torques. Everything looks good and tight.
2. Checked for tire movement with tire jacked up. Completely solid with both side-to-side and top-bottom twisting.
3. Tires are still perfectly aligned, no side pull at all when driving.
4. Jacked up, removed skid plates. looked at engine mounts and transmission mount. Did not see any problems.
5. Today when backing out of driveway and turning, noticed a binding. But after doing my errand, could not make binding happen again. thanks

After reading some posts here, think could be loose or broken mount for front differential. Will crawl under jeep after this message.
Any other trail drivers out there seen/heard this problem?

WWDiesel · **Posted:** Thu Oct 26, 2023 9:35 pm

Popping noises is usually indicative of one of the CV joints on either the front axles is bad or one of the CV joints on the front driveshaft is worn out. Very common problem.
A close inspection will be required to figure out which one is the causing the popping noise.
You can purchase new CV joints that come with new boots from DrivelineParts.com for the front driveshaft to rebuild it.
They also sale complete front axle assemblies with CV joints. Just make sure you get axles for the Jeep Liberty Diesel as the gas powered Liberties use different length shafts that will not function properly on the the diesel powered vehicles.

https://www.driveshaftparts.com/index.p ... arch=me807
https://www.Driveshaftparts.com

olddesertrat · **Joined:** Sat Jul 28, 2018 10:54 am **Posts:** 34

Thanks WWDiesel. Had replaced CV joint, and full hub on passenger side during rebuilt. the hub bearing went back, overheated and distorted old hub. Had to use gear pulley to get old CV joint out of bearing, so replace everything.

The noise is coming from driver side, which still old CV joint. Looked on under carriage, all bolts and braces for front differential look solid.

Did see something unusual on driver's side. Where CV joint goes through Clevis fork...the shaft on CV joint looks like it has been hitting something. Rust smeared, but in broken pattern around shaft. Inside of clevis fork nearest shaft also shows rust smeared, impacted area.

Did not make sense because CV shaft is centered in Clevis fork, not seeing any possible way for shaft and fork to make contact.
BUT!!!! This is normal position while driving on flat pavement.

Climbing over rocks CV joint would go through maximum movement up and down. Suppose it is possible in extended position down CV joint is binding up. As CV joint turns, the bind turns and contacts Clevis fork. Contact makes both the 'clunking' sound of metal on metal, then bind releases, making the 'popping' sound.

Was just about to remove shock to see if it has blown.

Your advice sounds solid. Will order and replace CV axle for driver's side online.
Usually I get Moog parts, but do not see any moog CV axles available.
Can you recommend a good CV axle brand and should I get extended drive CV axle?
Currently have stock lift, but do plan lift in future.
Also lots of rough trails in immediately after repair.

WWDiesel · **Posted:** Fri Oct 27, 2023 11:15 pm

Part numbers on file.
Google PN, lots of online availability.

OEM Mopar Axle shaft assembly left - 52111781AB (includes CV joints & boots) :google:

Old PN: 5066023AA

Amazon:> https://www.amazon.com/GSP-NCV82013-Axl ... B0033DNWEC
GSP NCV82013 CV Axle Shaft Assembly - Left Front (Driver Side)

NAPA Axles (reman) Line: NAPA Premium CV Shafts:> https://www.napaonline.com/en/search?te ... referer=v2
Front – Driver/Left side - NCV 940085-- CV Driveshaft Compressed Length 23.74 in.

Autozone: Line Duralast Gold:> https://www.autozone.com/drivetrain/cv- ... 401987_0_0
Front – Driver/Left side: 10168N -- CV Driveshaft Compressed Length 23.74 in.

Advance Auto Parts: Line Carquest Premium:> https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/car ... 20871016-P
Front – Driver/Left side: NCV82013

olddesertrat · **Joined:** Sat Jul 28, 2018 10:54 am **Posts:** 34

Thanks for list of suppliers. Went with NAPA as they have been good quality and price in past. Hope they still are. My passenger side CV axle replacement was NAPA, so should be a good match.

Really wanted an American made part, as all Chinese stuff is hit and miss. But from what could see, nothing was listed as American made.

Even Moog is made is China now. But Moog parts still appear to be higher quality than most and higher quality than OEM Jeep parts.

Also made sure NAPA was CV axle was stock length. Saw thread where other member had gotten longer than stock lengths and it caused problems.

Thanks for help

olddesertrat · **Joined:** Sat Jul 28, 2018 10:54 am **Posts:** 34

Thanks for help WWDiesel.

Installed NAPA CV axle few days ago. Did short test drive and waited few days for thread locker to set.
Went trail driving most of yesterday. All the front end noise was GONE!!!!
So it was CV joints going bad, but only making noise during extreme movement.

However the 'creaking' from back springs and shocks is getting worse.
Before doing that project, need to search forum and decide what lift kit gives me the best combination of ride, clearance and cost.

WWDiesel · **Posted:** Sun Nov 05, 2023 4:50 pm

olddesertrat wrote:

Thanks for help WWDiesel.

Installed NAPA CV axle few days ago. Did short test drive and waited few days for thread locker to set.
Went trail driving most of yesterday. All the front end noise was GONE!!!!
So it was CV joints going bad, but only making noise during extreme movement.

However the 'creaking' from back springs and shocks is getting worse.
Before doing that project, need to search forum and decide what lift kit gives me the best combination of ride, clearance and cost.

Take a hard look at IronMan America Springs and Bilstein Struts/Shocks. A hard combo to beat!

https://ironman4x4america.com/suspension/coil-springs/

https://www.shockwarehouse.com/search

Bilstein 24-139168 Front 4600 Heavy Duty (B6) Shock Absorber Dodge Nitro Jeep Liberty
Bilstein 24-139175 Rear 4600 Heavy Duty (B6) Shock Absorber Dodge Nitro Jeep Liberty

Clunking or popping noise off roading.

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