Clicking / jerky turning

[BlackJeep23]

I have had an issue the last couple of days were when my jeep is moving I get a clicking noise like a card in bicycle spokes. It only happens when my jeep is going above 5mph and gets progressively louder and quicker with speed. There is no sound when parked or when manually turning the front wheels. Today I put it in 4 wheel drive and while the sound went away it, their was a vibration and it didn't feel right, almost like there was resistance. When I put it back in two wheel drive I suddenly had turning issues. When attempting to turn, even slightly, in either direction, the steering wheel seems to fight back. I suspect either front axle u joint or broken/binding splines in the differential. I just wanted to see if someone had any input and advice on if I should check the differential or replace the u joints/hubs first or if I should go in another direction completely. If my thinking is correct the steering issues rule out drive shaft u joints or joint at the transfer case (CV?)... Thanks for your help!

 

[naponthebeach]

So you have wheel spacers/lug pattern adapters?

It probably is not this, but would be easy to check. I was once getting a noise similar to what you are describing but from one of the rear wheels. Then shortly afterwards the bolts from the wheel spacer sheared off while driving, turning my Jeep into a tripod! I suspect that the ticking was from a slight wobble (which I couldn't feel) after one or more bolts broke, then the extra stress broke the rest. It is a long shot, but maybe something to look into before you start tearing apart things that take more effort.

 

[BlackJeep23]

Nope no wheel spacers/adapters. I'm sure the tripod didn't handle so well!

 

[BlackJeep23]

Also I jacked up the front and checked for 12-6 movement and 9-3 and both tires were completely solid.

 

[ac_]

Check your u-joints in your front axle.

 

[BlackJeep23]

How do you actually check them? Or do you just replace them?

 

[ac_]

How do you actually check them? Or do you just replace them?

You can raise the front end off of the ground and grab the inner axle and wiggle the tire and see if there is play in it. Also if the opposite is happening turn your front wheels both ways and spin them with your face down there and see if they are binding. Look and see if they are super rusty. If they are super rusty, I would replace them since there is no way to service them as you stated.

 

[Vinman]

Raise both front wheels off the ground and turn the steering sharp in either direction, ensure 4wd is not engaged and try spinning the front tires by hand, if you get a jerking motion, one or both of the front axle u-joints is bad.
I my experience, almost every u-joint failure I had was due to it seizing up and not having any play.

 

[warrpath4x4]

also look for rust dust in the area of your wheel joint, on my dodge one was covered in red powder (pulverized bearings)

 

[BlackJeep23]

Well passenger side front u joint was seized. Replace the u joint and hub. Now I can steer and everything feels great.

But.... the clicking persists so next week I'll do the driver side u joint and hub for good measure and go from there. Any other ideas let me know. Thanks for the help guys !

 

[Goatman]

After that I would pull the front drive shaft. If it still clicking you know it's in the axle.