Ticking noise on 2006 4.0 6-speed

[crazyshot97]

I can’t for the life of me figure out what this tick I hear is. I’m posting a couple more videos here in the hopes that someone might’ve experienced something similar.

The best way I can describe it is a mix between a flutter/tick/tapping, and depending on speed/gear it can sound more or less like each one of those descriptions. Sometimes it sounds like a playing card in the spokes of a bicycle, sometimes it sounds more like a direct ticking.

It only occurs when moving in gear. When accelerating, it sounds more like a flutter. With my foot off the gas coasting, it sounds more like a ticking/tapping. Also, at speeds sub 15mph, such as when coming up to a stop light, it almost feels like I can feel the ticking through the shifter, but very subtly so I’m not sure.

With the clutch fully depressed, the sound seems to disappear. Does anyone have any ideas? My good local mechanic can’t take a look at it until a week from today, but it is my daily driver. I’m wondering if I should be driving it, as the sound seems to be getting louder (unless placebo).

Hopefully the audio in these videos comes through enough to hear what I’m talking about. One video is fairly high RPM to amplify the noise for video, one is coasting normally

 

[JKP]

Probably the double cardan joint at the tcase on the front driveshaft. Mine sounded similar at times right before I replaced it.

You don't want that to seize up as it will destroy the tcase.

You can remove the front driveshaft to verify it is the problem.

 

[crazyshot97]

Probably the double cardan joint at the tcase on the front driveshaft. Mine sounded similar at times right before I replaced it.

You don't want that to seize up as it will destroy the tcase.

You can remove the front driveshaft to verify it is the problem.

Interesting, I haven’t heard that suggestion yet but I can check it out. I’m definitely not the most mechanically inclined, but isn’t the sound disappearing when the clutch is depressed indicative of something to do with the trans/clutch rather than the driveshaft? I’m not sure if the load on the double cardan joint would be affected by the clutch but it might be.

 

[JKP]

When accelerating, the load is applied in one direction, decel the other. When you push the clutch in, almost no load on the shaft either way.

The easiest way to check it is to remove the drive shaft from the front axle and then securely strap it up to the frame and apply tape around the u joint bearing caps to hold them on and leave it attached to the tcase Of course, DO NOT put it in 4WD like this.

If it is the problem, you can simply remove the front driveshaft completely and safely drive the Jeep until you get it fixed.

.

 

[crazyshot97]

When accelerating, the load is applied in one direction, decel the other. When you push the clutch in, almost no load on the shaft either way.

The easiest way to check it is to remove the drive shaft from the front axle and then securely strap it up to the frame and apply tape around the u joint bearing caps to hold them on and leave it attached to the tcase Of course, DO NOT put it in 4WD like this.

If it is the problem, you can simply remove the front driveshaft completely and safely drive the Jeep until you get it fixed.

.

Interesting. Ok I’ll definitely give that a shot

 

[crazyshot97]

When accelerating, the load is applied in one direction, decel the other. When you push the clutch in, almost no load on the shaft either way.

The easiest way to check it is to remove the drive shaft from the front axle and then securely strap it up to the frame and apply tape around the u joint bearing caps to hold them on and leave it attached to the tcase Of course, DO NOT put it in 4WD like this.

If it is the problem, you can simply remove the front driveshaft completely and safely drive the Jeep until you get it fixed.

.

Got under to take a look this morning before I do what you suggested later today. No idea how the driveshaft could be this rusty with not a spot of rust on the tub or frame. Maybe it was used and installed on this jeep by previous owner? Interesting. Just thought I’d post a video of it in case anything looked obviously wrong to you. I only half know what I’m looking at lol

 

[JKP]

That is the front U joint. The play is the lash inside the differential. If you look at the other end at the tcase, there is a double U joint and inside that is the the centering ball which is most likely the source of the noise if it sounds like it is under the drivers seat.

That is def rusty. Maybe driven on the beach down there?

 

[JKP]

Here is a pic of my 250k mi driveshaft. If you disconnect the front and tie it up, wrap tape around the ujoint to hold the bearing caps on.

Mine sounded like a whirring noise at times and like a playing card in spokes at others.

 

[crazyshot97]

That is the front U joint. The play is the lash inside the differential. If you look at the other end at the tcase, there is a double U joint and inside that is the the centering ball which is most likely the source of the noise if it sounds like it is under the drivers seat.

That is def rusty. Maybe driven on the beach down there?

Definitely odd that it’s as rusty as it is, because when I say there’s not a lick of rust on the frame or body I mean zero, not even surface. I’d expect to see at least some if salt water/sand was rusting other pieces. It’s only got 58k miles, so it’s strange that the driveshaft has such disproportionate rust.

Appreciate the advice though. I’m headed out in about an hour to give the temporary disconnect a try. From that description, it sounds like what you’re saying is that the noise would actually be coming from the other end of the driveshaft, farther the front wheels, is that right? The side were it connects to the tcase. But, disconnecting the side closer to the front wheels at the diff will stop it spinning while driving, so the noise can be diagnosed if I don’t hear anything.

Just trying to make sure I understand, since again haven’t worked on cars a ton. The more you know

 

[JKP]

Yes, when you disconnect it at the front axle, it will not spin when in 2WD. If you have no noise then, you will know it is the front driveshaft.

The noise comes from the double ujoint at the tcase which has a centering ball between the two ujoints. The centering ball gets dry/worn and makes noise.

If that is the problem, you can either have the shaft rebuilt with new joints or just replace the shaft.

I replaced the shaft on mine because of the high mileage, but after inspecting it, it is not damaged and could be rebuilt.

Just be sure you have it secured well so that it won't drop down and hit the road.

 

[TheBoogieman]

Nothing unusual about rust in Florida. People that go to the beach drive into 2' of salt water to look cool. Thus, the rusty driveshafts. If Ronny D wants to run for President, he needs to fix this issue. Nothing worse than moving from Maine to Florida, only to have the same rust issues.

 

[crazyshot97]

Nothing unusual about rust in Florida. They have this stuff called salt water. If Ronny D wants to run for President, he needs to fix this issue. Nothing worse than moving from Maine to Florida, only to have the same rust issues.

Definitely not surprising to experience rust in Florida. As a New Yorker I find it a little better down here than the rock salt on the road up there, but salt is salt.

The only part I find unusual is that the driveshaft is so disproportionately rusted. There’s not even any surface rust anywhere else. Frame and tub are spotless. The only things I can think of are that the driveshaft is perhaps not treated the same way the really important bits are at the factory, or maybe it’s a used driveshaft that the previous owners installed.

 

[TheBoogieman]

Definitely not surprising to experience rust in Florida. As a New Yorker I find it a little better down here than the rock salt on the road up there, but salt is salt.

The only part I find unusual is that the driveshaft is so disproportionately rusted. There’s not even any surface rust anywhere else. Frame and tub are spotless. The only things I can think of are that the driveshaft is perhaps not treated the same way the really important bits are at the factory, or maybe it’s a used driveshaft that the previous owners installed.

I wouldn't give driveshaft rust a second thought. It's like axle rust. It doesn't affect anything, except the looks. I took a wire wheel to mine, then painted it to make it look perfect.

 

[TheBoogieman]

As a New Yorker

You Southerners amaze me (NY). I was born and raised in VT.

 

[crazyshot97]

You Southerners amaze me (NY). I was born and raised in VT.

Ha! I was practically in the tropics down on Long Island. Got a nice mix of rock salt on the roads and ocean salt too, the best!

And yes, definitely not worried about driveshaft rust. Wouldn’t even be a big deal to replace and upgrade the whole thing so not going to fret. Just hoping that’s the source of the noise I’m hearing and I don’t have to start tearing apart the big bits to find the culprit

 

[TheBoogieman]

Ha! I was practically in the tropics down on Long Island. Got a nice mix of rock salt on the roads and ocean salt too, the best!

And yes, definitely not worried about driveshaft rust. Wouldn’t even be a big deal to replace and upgrade the whole thing so not going to fret. Just hoping that’s the source of the noise I’m hearing and I don’t have to start tearing apart the big bits to find the culprit

Did you shake the driveshafts side to side to check for play in the u-joints? Sorry if I missed it, I've been awake for 36 hours now. I feel like Karine Jean-Pierre trying to defend (aka lie for) Biden.

 

[crazyshot97]

Did you shake the driveshafts side to side to check for play in the u-joints? Sorry if I missed it, I've been awake for 36 hours now.

The only play check I did was in the video I posted above, I just rotated the driveshaft a bit at the diff. There doesn’t seem to be any extensive play, but I’m going to give it a good shake when I go outside to do the temporary disconnect in a bit

 

[TheBoogieman]

The only play check I did was in the video I posted above, I just rotated the driveshaft a bit at the diff. There doesn’t seem to be any extensive play, but I’m going to give it a good shake when I go outside to do the temporary disconnect in a bit

The play in your vid is normal. Side to side play isn't. No need to disconnect it to check that. Good luck.

 

[crazyshot97]

The play in your vid is normal. Side to side play isn't. No need to disconnect it to check that. Good luck.

Definitely not noticing any side to side play. Disconnecting per JKP’s recommendation, to check if the double cardan joint or any other front driveshaft related issue is the source of the noise. Not sure if I would notice any play if that were the case, but worth a shot to eliminate at least one possibility

 

[crazyshot97]

Yes, when you disconnect it at the front axle, it will not spin when in 2WD. If you have no noise then, you will know it is the front driveshaft.

The noise comes from the double ujoint at the tcase which has a centering ball between the two ujoints. The centering ball gets dry/worn and makes noise.

If that is the problem, you can either have the shaft rebuilt with new joints or just replace the shaft.

I replaced the shaft on mine because of the high mileage, but after inspecting it, it is not damaged and could be rebuilt.

Just be sure you have it secured well so that it won't drop down and hit the road.

Well, no luck on the front driveshaft components being the issue. Disconnected and drove around, still noticing sound right away. Not sure where else to turn. Might just have to wait for my mechanic to look at it