Popping sound in 4WD

Donnie · **Posted:** Wed Jan 19, 2011 9:09 pm

Hi Guys,

Looking for your input on a problem I've noticed in the snow:

When in 4WD and accelerating I hear a progressive popping sound that gets faster with speed. If I take my foot off the gas it stops, and only happens in 4wd.

Any ideas? I'm not a huge wrencher, so I could use any input you can offer.

Thanks!

ATXKJ · **Posted:** Wed Jan 19, 2011 9:31 pm

Haven't heard that - but as a guess - I'd check the front driveshaft, play - grease boots ect.
then front oil level (might change oil just to check for metal shavings)
and jack the front end up - spin the tires and see if a wheel bearing sounds funny.

(I'd focus on front driveshaft, differential - those would have different stress when 4wd is engaged vs 2wd)

JeepinJarhead03 · **Posted:** Wed Jan 19, 2011 9:39 pm

could be the intermediate, could be the cv's, my cv's clack (they need rebuilding) and they only do it under stress, ie: 4wd engaged and under torque, if i lift off the gas they stop clacking (as bad) - with 4wd disengaged they more or less ping like a fishing reel

if you have a friend with a lift or a hobby shop it'll be easier on you to isolate it, if not you'll need some jackstands

Scottm2010 · **Posted:** Fri Jan 21, 2011 2:04 pm

If it is like a metal popping sound chances are it is your driveshaft. The part that goes into your transfer case. If you can, check that area and inspect the boot and the part of the driveshaft that goes in.

Donnie · **Posted:** Fri Jan 21, 2011 8:42 pm

It sounds like JeepinJarHead mentioned. It's a "clack" that gets louder with speed. It kind of reminds me of when you would put baseball cards in your bicycle spokes :lol:

at low speed.

JeepinJarhead03 · **Posted:** Fri Jan 21, 2011 8:44 pm

particularly if it gets more pronounced when turning, leans more to a cv(s) than the driveshaft

slipinkramer · **Joined:** Sat Jan 15, 2011 6:00 pm **Posts:** 43

Hmmm,

Transfer case maybe... Is is a NV231? Noisy chain not uncommon.

Black_Dog · **Posted:** Wed Feb 09, 2011 5:11 pm

My KJ is doing the exact same thing. I'm 98% sure it is the rear CV joint of the front driveshaft because I can see that the boot is torn and is probably full of sand from my last trip to the beach. After it warms up I plan to do the DIY front driveshaft head replacement repair shown here. If the CV boot looks like the one in the first photo of that post, this is probably your problem too. Apparently it's quite common.

Black_Dog · **Posted:** Tue Apr 05, 2011 2:39 pm

Quick follow-up to my prior post... Two weeks ago I replaced the rear CV joint on my front axles and, as I expected, the popping noise I was getting has gone away.

Popping sound in 4WD

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