Stop children what's that sound?

[Jeffy]

Well, I've got a strange noise that I can't put my finger on just yet.  I think it's the axle and not the engine though I'm not 100%.  It doesn't start happening until the engine's warmed up.  If I lug the engine a little it seems to happen.  If I shift into neutral, it stops.  It sounds like a faint metal on metal sound squeak, like brakes.  I don't think anything is caught in the brakes though.  They seem to be working fine.  The sound seems to be coming from the right front.  These is a thunk when I hit bumps hard but I'm not sure if that's my tie-rod or swaybar doing that.  Although I don't hear a think when I try to cycle the suspension when parked.  Might not be putting enough weight into it.  I did a left had sweeper today and it seems to make the noise but I'll have to try it again to make sure. I did jack up the wheel and rotated it and tried to rock it side to side and top to bottom.  It only moved very slightly.  Actually both sides move a few mm's if rocked.  I don't have a dial indicator though.  I've got to try rotating the wheel while pushing and then pulling to see if it makes noise.  I have a guess of what it might be but it's not humming like what most people have.

[neale_rs]

Maybe the CAD shift fork is wearing out.

[Jeffy]

Well, I check the wheel out and I did find a problem.  The lower shock bushing was gone.  Now I'm not sure if this was making all of the noise or not.  I didn't feel any bumps when I was turning the wheel by hand.  So I 'think' the hub bearings are OK.

My shocks don't extend on their own like I remember BUT they do still seem to pass the jumping on the bumper test.  They're supposed to extend on their own a bit, right?  It's been a while since I've working on shocks.

[sharpxmen]

They're supposed to extend on their own a bit, right?

only if they're Nitro shocks  (if they have a pressurized gas chamber), regular shocks won't. Put a bolt thu the bushing, put your feet on it and push-pull the entire travel length - if it skips then you need a new one, if it holds constantly the entire time in/out then you're fine.

[Jeffy]

only if they're Nitro shocks  (if they have a pressurized gas chamber), regular shocks won't. Put a bolt thu the bushing, put your feet on it and push-pull the entire travel length - if it skips then you need a new one, if it holds constantly the entire time in/out then you're fine.

I forget if they're nitro or hydro.  They're old Trailmaster shocks.  They hold constant though.  I bought a new bushing for it.  A whole $7.  I want to eventually swap them out for 5100 or 5150's but I'm holding off.  Was thinking about going with Ford mounts but I don't think I really need them anymore.

[Torch_Ind]

I forget if they're nitro or hydro.  They're old Trailmaster shocks.  They hold constant though.  I bought a new bushing for it.  A whole $7.  I want to eventually swap them out for 5100 or 5150's but I'm holding off.  Was thinking about going with Ford mounts but I don't think I really need them anymore.

5150's are nice

[sharpxmen]

I bought a new bushing for it.  A whole $7. 

that's a lot, a new shock with poly bushings is like $40 or so but i guess it's cheaper than buying a pair.

[Jeffy]

that's a lot, a new shock with poly bushings is like $40 or so but i guess it's cheaper than buying a pair.

Well, I get two bushings!  

I'll save up for shocks later.  I noticed the front end is really soft with my SOA and no shock.

As for the noise. the banging is gone but I have this other noise I can't put a finger on.   Sounds like if you went sssssssssss.  Happens when I lug the engine a bit.  I can't ear it otherwise.  I'm wondering if it's a PS high-pressure line leak or something.  I've noticed some fluid on my high-pressure line BUT it's very slight.  Takes a while to build up any oil on it.  Not sure if that's the problem though either.  I tightened the belt a bit more so it's not slipping.  But like I said, it seems to go away if I drop it into neutral.

[SDWE61988]

I would think it is not the PS system, if the sound goes away when you drop into neutral. If the sound  the sound follows the engine speed, it might be worth another look at it.
  Seems like a rough year for our rigs. Good luck. 

[aka-justin]

As for the noise. the banging is gone but I have this other noise I can't put a finger on.   Sounds like if you went sssssssssss.  Happens when I lug the engine a bit.  I can't ear it otherwise.  I'm wondering if it's a PS high-pressure line leak or something.  I've noticed some fluid on my high-pressure line BUT it's very slight.  Takes a while to build up any oil on it.  Not sure if that's the problem though either.  I tightened the belt a bit more so it's not slipping.  But like I said, it seems to go away if I drop it into neutral.

No bearings going out on any of the pulleys? I had a odd hissing/sqweal periodically on my old 94 S10. Turned out to be a pulley bearing on the A/C compressor. You could only really hear it when a certain RPM. Using a mechanic's stethoscope may prove very useful in anycase (that's how my bearing was pinpointed). Only $5-7 if you don't have one.

[Hunter02]

Yea, I have an annoying noise in my TJ from time to time but it seems to disappear when I leave my wife at home.

[aka-justin]

Yea, I have an annoying noise in my TJ from time to time but it seems to disappear when I leave my wife at home.

 

[Jeffy]

Maybe the CAD shift fork is wearing out.

I don't think so since it's intermittent and seems to go away when not under power.

No bearings going out on any of the pulleys? I had a odd hissing/sqweal periodically on my old 94 S10. Turned out to be a pulley bearing on the A/C compressor. You could only really hear it when a certain RPM. Using a mechanic's stethoscope may prove very useful in anycase (that's how my bearing was pinpointed). Only $5-7 if you don't have one.

It's not RPM dependant though.  I replaced the idler and checked the others before when I had the Alternator bearing go out.  Also, it doesn't make noise when in neutral and reving.  Has to be under load.

[aka-justin]

Also, it doesn't make noise when in neutral and reving.  Has to be under load.

So at idle under load? Idle neutral vs. idle in D or R would be a hair different RPM. Either way, I'd poke at it with one of those sticks (mechanic's stethoscope).    A lot of times it will amplify a noise you can't normally hear or under only certain conditions. Drivetrain noises are a lot more tricky.

My work's/school's (I work at a college) automative department has the wireless electronic kind that I used back on my old YJ to isolate bearing failures. It's a more expensive option if you don't know anywhere to borrow one. I keep stairing at it as one of those wants, but don't needs. Really helps if you get OCD finding squeaks and sounds (like me.) http://www.amazon.com/Steelman-STE97202-Wireless-Chassis-Ear/dp/B00123J79O

[aka-justin]

Mechanic's Stethoscope only $2 at Harbor Freight right now.

http://www.harborfreight.com/mechanics-stethoscope-41966.html?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=4511b&utm_source=1002