While parallel parking the other day I noticed a new and odd noise coming from my steering. It sounded like the linkage somewhere. Not a hint of a motor or electrical or anything like that. It would only happen at the first moment of turning the wheel in either direction. I don’t notice it while I’m actually driving on the street.

However, I did hear it while driving in the sand ruts on the beach earlier today. It happened as the tires would rub against the sides of the ruts and try to turn themselves. I was able to drive on the highway fine (think I got up to 65 maybe) as well as the street with plenty of potholes and the steering and general tracking of the Jeep was fine and I never noticed a difference in the over all feel “seat of you pants” feel. Braking was fine too.

It was raining today but once it dries out I want to check everything out. I’ve never worked on or checked the steering linkage which I would think is the best place to start so please give me your thoughts on what could be causing the sound and how I should try to check it. Thanks!

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'04 Liberty Limited - 245/70/16 Firestone Destination AT's, Mopar tow hooks, Draw-Tite Class IV hitch, Skid Row Engine & Transmission Skids, Mopar T-Case & Gas Tank Skids, Extended Breather Tubes, Red Top Optima, Sylvania Silver Star head lights, Hella 500FF bumper mounted driving lights

really? No one has any thoughts Com'mon guys help me out

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'04 Liberty Limited - 245/70/16 Firestone Destination AT's, Mopar tow hooks, Draw-Tite Class IV hitch, Skid Row Engine & Transmission Skids, Mopar T-Case & Gas Tank Skids, Extended Breather Tubes, Red Top Optima, Sylvania Silver Star head lights, Hella 500FF bumper mounted driving lights

What did the linkage sound sound like? Scraping? Thumping? Have you checked your lower ball joints? Maybe worth checking the bushings in the control arms.....lots of possibilities. If you suspect the linkage, just get under there and check to see everything's tight. Did the steering wheel move at all when you heard the sound?

More of a clank. Think of the sound your trailer hitch might make if it has a bit of play in the receiver - maybe the pin is too small of the receiver is too wide for the hitch. It sounds something like that. Again, it'll only happen once when the wheel changes direction, once you're moving the wheel over in the that direction it's fine, when you change the direction of the wheel it's clank once you change the direction. So that's all while using the steering wheel to turn. On the beach the clank sound was more active b/c in the sand ruts the tires want to turn as the hit the edges of the ruts and I would have to correct it with the steering wheel. While driving on the beach I could barely hear it. In fact I doubt I would have heard it if I hadn't been listening for it (b/c I first heard when getting out of a parking spot turning the wheels before I drove forward or backwards.)

I'm going to try to check everything put my problem is I don't have a garage and it's dark (and cold) by the time I get home from work.

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'04 Liberty Limited - 245/70/16 Firestone Destination AT's, Mopar tow hooks, Draw-Tite Class IV hitch, Skid Row Engine & Transmission Skids, Mopar T-Case & Gas Tank Skids, Extended Breather Tubes, Red Top Optima, Sylvania Silver Star head lights, Hella 500FF bumper mounted driving lights

Did you ever find out what the problem was? Our 07 is making a noise similar to what you described

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2007 Jeep Liberty Limited 4x4 Khaki with Taupe Leather Interior
Mods: Stock other than Rv Tow Bar
Future Mods: Renegade Light Bar, 16 inch Rims, Semi-aggressive AT Tires, Weather Tech Floor Liners, Black-out All Chrome, Roof Basket/Cross Bars, hmmmm nothing else for the moment

Since the OP hasn't been on here since 8/10, I think getting an answer from him is a long shot.

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2006 CRD http://www.UtahPowderCoatings.com/ http://www.gorecon.com/ I'm kind of a big deal.
RL rear bumper, ARB front bumper, Mile Marker winch, Power Tank, Skids by Mopar & Skid Row, RL Super Skink Sliders, 235/85R16 MTR, Air Flow Snorkel, DTT, 4.10 gears, Frankenlift II, Katskin leather, JL Audio stereo, Rosen video.