Topic: Clicking / Thumping. Transfer Case, U Joints, Hub?

[DanMarino]

I did some driving around with the doors off and noticed a clicking noise that seemed coming from the driver, front area.

The clicking or thumping slows down and speeds up with the speed of the vehicle.
I mostly noticed it when coasting in neutral, but the clicking does happen when in gear.

I jacked the car up and looked around. Here's what I did.
1. Pulled and pushed on both front wheels and didn't get any movement. Lug nuts were tight. Wheel bearings/hubs seemed tight. No play observed in tie rods or steering stuff.
2. Greased all the front grease points while I was messing around in there.
3. Rotated the front drive shaft that goes from the transfer case to the front differential. This seemed to make the clicking noise. I pushed and pulled on the u joints for the front drive shaft and they seemed fine. Definitely not worn like when my u joints went out on my old Volvo 240 station wagon.
4. I engaged the transfer case and the clicking noise was much louder when I rotated the front drive shaft.

Seemed like the clicking was coming from the transfer case. I took the jeep for a drive and the clicking is there. I notice it most when I am coasting in neutral and turning right. Don't seem to get it when coasting and turning left.

So what do you guys think the next step is, or what might need to be fixed?

I'm wondering what might be common things to check out as the source?

Thanks,

Tom
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[sharpxmen]

take the d/s out, see if it does the noise without ity, if not put it in 4wd and if you get the noise is the tcase, if not the u-joints on the d/s (or maybe the CV joint if you have that in front)

[Jeffy]

Taking the driveshat out should take 5 minutes tops.  Also make sure the pinion yoke doesn't move around.

[DanMarino]

OK I've never removed a drive shaft.  What's the procedure?  Do I need some special tool for the snap rings on the U joints?
I'm not sure what you mean about the pinion yoke moving around???

Thanks for the help guys.
13

[Jeffy]

OK I've never removed a drive shaft.  What's the procedure?  Do I need some special tool for the snap rings on the U joints?
I'm not sure what you mean about the pinion yoke moving around???

Thanks for the help guys.
13

You need a small ratchet, 1/4" drive.  I forget what the size of the socket is but it's pretty small.  The bolts only need around 18 lbs-ft to put on so they should be easy to remove.

Grab the pinion and shake it.  It should not move.  If you feel movement, your pinion nut is loose or worse.

[DanMarino]

OK I took out those bolts and removed the metal cap things.  How do I get the drive shaft out of the yoke?  Looks like there are metal tabs on the yoke that keep the u joint in place.

[sharpxmen]

OK I took out those bolts and removed the metal cap things.  How do I get the drive shaft out of the yoke?  Looks like there are metal tabs on the yoke that keep the u joint in place.

put a screwdriver between the yoke and the center of the u-joint and pry it out (slide it behind the joint where the yoke has a radius in it, only way to do it anyway) or use a small pry bar, the u-joint cups stick to the yoke esp if you never had it out before

[VA_YJ]

Sometimes the driveshaft does want to come out of the yoke, other times it falls out when you loosen the caps.  Make sure both straps are removed, then take a large screwdriver or small prybar and pry the U-joint out of the yoke.  Be careful not to drop the caps as the roller bearings may fall out or pickup trash.  If prying does not work, you may need to soak with penetrating oil for awhile and try again.

[Jeffy]

The only thing holding that should be holding the driveshaft in is the driveshaft length.  Collapse the shaft a little and it will pop right out.  Since you have all the straps removed, be sure to catch it.

[DanMarino]

Thanks everyone for your help.  I'll work on it again this holiday weekend.  
So how exactly do you deal with the front drive shaft u-joint that is closest to the transfer case?  That skid plate is in the way.

[Jeffy]

Lay on your side and reach up.  You should be able to get a socket on it easily.  Once the straps are off and the driveshaft loose, you walk the whole thing forward.  Don't collapse the slip yoke on the shaft unless you want grease squirting out of the shaft.

[DanMarino]

OK this morning I removed the front drive shaft.  The u joints seem fine, but are probably original to the vehicle.

I drove the vehicle and it was still making the clunking/clicking noise.  It is most noticeable when in neutral and coasting.  If I turn the wheel to the right it is most noticeable, but it also makes the noise when coasting straight ahead.

I put the vehicle into 4 high and there was a bad grinding noise like gears grinding.  Then it seemed to click into place and it drove fine.  Didn't notice any clicking/clunking in 4 high.  It never made that grinding noise before when shifting into 4 high.

So guys, where does this leave me?

Rear u joints?
Front wheel bearings/hub?
Front Differential?

I'm at a loss.  I'm thinking I might as well put new u joints in while the drive shaft is out.

[DanMarino]

Wanted to add that when I turn the yoke at the front differential and rotate it there is a clicking/clunking noise inside.  The yoke rotates about 1/8 of an inch.

When I rotate the yoke at the transfer case the clunk/click seems louder.  It also rotates about 1/8 inch.  Both yokes seem tight, except for the rotational movement.

[Jeffy]

So you can get the sound by spinning the yokes by hand?  Is the transfer case in 2wd?

[DanMarino]

Hi Jeffy and guys.

OK here's the best way I can describe it.   Unfortunately, I am deaf in one ear so locating where noises are coming from is impossible for me.

The transfer case is in 2 H.  The yoke on the front differential can spin freely in either direction.  If I rotate the yoke back and forth changing direction there seems to be some play or slop in the gears.  When the direction changes when I spin it left and right, there is a clunking when the direction changes.

The yoke on the transfer case spins freely in either direction.  If I rotate is back and forth changing direction it also seems to have some play in the gears and there is a clunk when the direction changes.

So is that normal, or an indication of something wrong?

Thanks,

Tom