Loud popping noise when turning in 4x4

enjoimark · **Posted:** Thu May 05, 2011 2:28 pm

I have a 2005 Liberty with 245/75/16 M/T's (I'm pretty sure it isn't lifted) that I just bought 3 months ago. I took it to the local river and climbed a few hills and ran it through the mud quite a bit. After about 2 hours it started making a loud popping noise that jerks the steering wheel when I turn left, but ONLY in 4 wheel drive... Idk what it is and was wondering if you guys had any idea what it could be.

Included a pic just for fun, nothing fancy...

tommudd · **Posted:** Thu May 05, 2011 2:36 pm

Sharp turns? Could be CV as well going bad
Should not be turning sharp in 4WD as it will bind up and cause a problem like you are experiencing, Tires have to be hitting as well

enjoimark · **Posted:** Thu May 05, 2011 2:45 pm

nah, just any old turn, no matter the sharpness. It tends to do it worse in reverse. I failed to mention that if I do it a couple times and then proceed to go straight, it will pop a few times and then I can drive normal again. It does in 4 low and high.

bunkermonkeycw · **Posted:** Thu May 05, 2011 4:09 pm

I have 3 inches of lift and those sized tires rub, in several places. Passenger side pinch weld behind the tread... not drivers (for me) That would rub @ turn or when you bounce. Both sides rub at full lock on the sway bar as well as full lock on the pinch welds on the inner wheel well.

Maybe your playing blew out a shock and that why it actually "started"

If its not rubbing,CV joint?

enjoimark · **Posted:** Thu May 05, 2011 6:39 pm

They only rub when going up a hill/curb or something. Not when turning or normal driving. As soon as I put it in 4x4, and turn... It does it. It's not a rubbing sound or anything. It's a loud, mechanical POP. Over and over again. The faster I go, the faster the pop gets.

I took the wheel off today but couldn't see anything out of the ordinary. Idk if it's the cv, seeing how it only does it in 4 wheel. I guess I'm just gonna have to take it in the shop and see what it's gonna cost me.

bunkermonkeycw · **Posted:** Thu May 05, 2011 9:55 pm

Bump, I'm no expert... Sorry

Pote · **Posted:** Fri May 06, 2011 12:46 pm

There is absolutely no way those tires don't rub on an unlifted KJ...impossible. Maybe that's what you are hearing...those tires trying to rip off your wheel wells. There is a chance that size can rub on a 2.5" lifted KJ where it needs the pinch weld folded over to rememdy. Heck, 245/70/16s slightly rubbed on my unlifted KJ...and that's a 29.5" tire...you are running a 30.5 inch tire - maybe even close to 31 being an MT. You can see even in your pic how close it is with the wheels straight, turning will definitely be making serious contact.

j-rod · **Joined:** Mon Apr 25, 2011 9:05 pm **Posts:** 201

i had a popping issue in my XJ and found this:

pulled the driver side shaft today and found this

as it was in the Jeep:

removed showing the other side:

Xodius · **Posted:** Fri May 06, 2011 7:27 pm

Cv axle would be my guess from my recent xp or intermediate shaft possibly... Check them out.

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enjoimark · **Posted:** Sat May 07, 2011 4:38 pm

OK I found out what it was! :BANANA:

My friend is a mechanic at a local chevy dealer so I took it up there after hours and we tore it apart. I couldn't get any pictures on my own, but I found some on the net that will show. The front driveshaft CV joint that connects on the T Case end seal broke, so I need a new CV joint. Cheapest I found was about $70 plus shipping.

AND, for the record... my tires ONLY rub when going up a steep hill or popping it up a curb. There is some plastic on the fender wells that shows wear... but that's from when they rub up a hill or whatever. They don't rub while driving or turning. I can turn as sharp as I want and nothing happens. The pinch welds do not rub and they are not banged in or anything.

Believe that or not... I don't care really. Come to Amarillo, TX and I'll show you in person

Here's an image I found that shows the shaft and cv joint...

And the replacement and link just in case someone needs 1 also!

http://www.driveshaftparts.com/cv-joints-shafts/jeep/jeep-propshaft-cv-joint/prod_430.html

enjoimark · **Posted:** Sat May 07, 2011 4:54 pm

I took some pics to show you... the front is close, yes. But only rubs up hills and what not.

Front

Rear

Loud popping noise when turning in 4x4

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