My "clunk"; drivetrain or suspension?

dgeist · **Posted:** Wed Jan 27, 2010 3:41 pm

So, I'm hearing an intermittent "clunk" noise that appears to be coming from the front end (isn't is usually...) and is like a cross between the sound of a CV joint slipping and a ball joint popping out (I've had both before on other vehicles). Here's the symptoms:

- Usually only happens when going from reverse to forward (out the driveway, then away) or starting again after having to stop hard at a light.
- Happens in 2WH and 4WH(full-time)
- Doesn't appear to be affected by steering angle or going over bumps

The symptoms make me think either front drive shaft or lower ball joints. The former is original and the latter were replaced (factory recall) about 20k miles ago.

Any thoughts?

Dan

JeepinJarhead03 · **Posted:** Wed Jan 27, 2010 4:04 pm

hows the rear drive shaft ujoints look

if it's doing it in 2wd as well, sounds more like rear ujoints making racket due to the somewhat normal slop in the drive train

they tend to make much more noise when they're worn

dgeist · **Posted:** Wed Jan 27, 2010 4:31 pm

JeepinJarhead03 wrote:

hows the rear drive shaft ujoints look

if it's doing it in 2wd as well, sounds more like rear ujoints making racket due to the somewhat normal slop in the drive train

they tend to make much more noise when they're worn

That could be it, but I only have 40-some thousand miles and they're relatively light ones (albeit in a heavy CRD...) do others hear things like this after a few years of "break-in" It's really my first vehicle with a true 4x4 system, so many of the noises are new to me...

Dan

JeepinJarhead03 · **Posted:** Wed Jan 27, 2010 5:06 pm

hmm

40k seems early for rear ujoints, i think you're better off if someone with a CRD finishes answering that question hehe

dgeist · **Posted:** Wed Jan 27, 2010 6:09 pm

Yep, mostly I'm hoping for a few "hey, that sounds like a left handed whoozeewhatsit slipping on its spindle" or something along those lines. In an ideal world, I'd put it on my garage lift and spend all day looking for the clunk, but I have neither the time, nor a lift, nor space in the garage.... so taking it to a decent shop with a list of things to check is the next best thing. Unfortunately, the big city has lots of benz and bimmer and toyota and acura places, but not many independant shops that know how to find slop on a jeep u-joint.

Dan

Zack A · **Posted:** Wed Jan 27, 2010 6:31 pm

Plus 1 on the u-joints, I had a clunk and a vibration that I would have swore was the front end....ended up being the u-joints, $20.00 later for a new u-joint and no more problem.

JeepinJarhead03 · **Posted:** Thu Jan 28, 2010 1:02 am

as long as the 05's don't ahve the permapress ujoints it'll be an easy deal if ujoints are indeed the problem

if they're permapress .. then

I'll say "UGH" for you

durangotang · **Posted:** Fri Jan 29, 2010 5:27 pm

With the CRD's that noise is >50% motor or transmission mounts.... pop off your front skid and tighten you motor mounts... odds are that they are loose.

dgeist · **Posted:** Fri Jan 29, 2010 6:02 pm

durangotang wrote:

With the CRD's that noise is >50% motor or transmission mounts.... pop off your front skid and tighten you motor mounts... odds are that they are loose.

Huh. I Totally wouldn't have thought of that one, but it kinda makes sense.... Not always with braking, not always with acceleration, but always when there's a weight shift. Those are part of the cross-member for the IFS, right? Any idea on torque, etc? (or pics)?

JL Rockies · **Posted:** Fri Jan 29, 2010 6:21 pm

If the clunk seems to come from under the front seats at times, check the rear control arm brackets. I was plauged with a clunk (see "that infernal clunk") for a year that seemed to come from the front passenger corner. After replacing things one by one, the clunk seemed to drift farther back to where it felt like is was coming from under the pass seat. The dealer said it was normal c clip axle noise. It was getting to the point where I was ready for an insurance fire. I took it to a Jeep shop here in SLC and 10 mins and a $10 tip later I was fixed. A common problem with wheeled Jeeps is the bracket gets bashed on rocks and mushrooms. This action loosens the bolts and allows the arm to bang around in the bracket.

If this ends up being your problem it's an easy fix and just one benefit of hanging around with me.

durangotang · **Posted:** Fri Jan 29, 2010 6:26 pm

JL Rockies wrote:

If this ends up being your problem it's an easy fix and just one benefit of hanging around with me.

Just as long as you're not the one hanging your head under the Jeep while JL is driving around a parking lot.

JL Rockies · **Posted:** Fri Jan 29, 2010 10:41 pm

durangotang wrote:

JL Rockies wrote:

If this ends up being your problem it's an easy fix and just one benefit of hanging around with me.

Just as long as you're not the one hanging your head under the Jeep while JL is driving around a parking lot.

It was at that point we eliminated tranny mounts.

My "clunk"; drivetrain or suspension?

Who is online