front end clicking noise

[Zappa916]

folks, what could be causing a front end clicking \ ratcheting type noise when I turn close to full lock either left or right?

Im not feeling anything in the steering wheel when it occurs.

when in 4-low , it's louder and occurs while driving straight as well.

[skipperau]

A few possibilities, in the order of likelihood, cv joints on either wheel, cv joint at the diff end of front driveshaft, wear in the diff centre, wear in the chain in the transfer case. Wear in the steering box or the steering pump are possible answers too depending on the sound.


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[Zappa916]

cheers. im leaning towards the cv joint at the front driveshaft. the boots on both front cv's look good so they may be ok.
Although if it were a CV on the front driveshaft why would the noise be louder while turning?

next thing is to work out ways to isolate all the components before I throw parts at it.

[skipperau]

Originally Posted by Zappa916

cheers. im leaning towards the cv joint at the front driveshaft. the boots on both front cv's look good so they may be ok.

Although if it were a CV on the front driveshaft why would the noise be louder while turning?



next thing is to work out ways to isolate all the components before I throw parts at it.

The change in the stresses on it as the diff works. I had my doubts too but changing the drive shaft on mine made a huge difference in the clicking mine made.


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[Tpap]

Had the same noises.
Take out the front driveshaft, clean the cv's (not with wd40) and grease them with a heavy duty grease and thats all.

Even if your boots seem to be ok, the cv's are dried out for sure.

[Zappa916]

Originally Posted by Tpap

Had the same noises.
Take out the front driveshaft, clean the cv's (not with wd40) and grease them with a heavy duty grease and thats all.

Even if your boots seem to be ok, the cv's are dried out for sure.

so spent this morning jacking the jeep up to have a poke around. sway bar bushes ok, cv's looked ok, ball joints , brake calipers, control arms , all looked ok.
then had a look at the front drive shaft, looked ok but i removed it anyway to begin isolating the prob. with the front driveshaft removed, i took it for a test drive and lo-behold noise no more.
had a look at the unis(rezeppas) and noticed a fair bit of movement on the transfer case end of the shaft.

so skip was spot on. the left\right turns do place enough stress on the driveshaft via the differential to amplify noisy unis'..

just a recap: ratchet type noise when turning hardish either left or right. I think i could hear it going straight but if at all , was very faint.

now my options are :

1)replace the whole shaft. very eccy $$$ i would imagine.
2) recondition the whole unit. probably upwards of $350. ??
3)replaced the bung end uni.
4. by a used one from the wreckers.. crapshoot
5) leave the driveshaft out all together. I dont off-road much but would be nice to keep the Quadra working.

decisions.

[OzRick25]

Personally I'm going the Tom Woods when mine gives in cheaper and better than a factory replacement when you account for shipping.
It depends a bit on what your intentions are for the life and use of your jeep though.