Mystery Squeak

[Imagineer]

My ’97 (4.0, 5spd, 4” lift, 35” tires 4.10:1 gears) has a mystery squeak. It’s a high pitch squeak, not too loud, that sounds like it’s coming from something that’s not too heavy.

The noise also sounds like it’s from something rotating and seems to be wheel or driveshaft motion related.

It doesn’t change when under load, or when shifting or braking. It doesn’t change when, in motion, pushing in the clutch and revving.

The noise seems to go away under 10mph.

Some times, the noise is present when first starting out, then seems to stop, but this morning, there was no noise until I was 3-4 miles into my commute.

For your reference, the Jeep has new front axle u-joints and new front wheel bearings.

The Jeep does not have a SYE and has the skid plate dropped on 1” spacers.

I’ll spend some time under it this weekend with a grease gun, but I’m curious what the internet thinks might be the problem.

 

[tr21triton]

check your glove box for evidence of a mouse. I had the same squeak in mine and had to install a cat to stop it.

 

[Superjay5]

You don’t even mention where the noise is coming from, front/rear or driver/passenger side. I mean if it’s mystery to you, it totally a mystery for me a few hundred miles away.

 

[tr21triton]

You don’t even mention where the noise is coming from, front/rear or driver/passenger side. I mean if it’s mystery to you, it totally a mystery for me a few hundred miles away.

just noticed he's from Ohio, could be the 2 halfs of the frame rubbing together .

 

[macleanflood]

Noise...is it present...

Clutch in? Clutch out?

Remove front shaft? Remove rear shaft (drive in 4 hi).

Spray water on the belt drive system.

When you turn?

-Mac

 

[Imagineer]

The noise is coming from underneath, seems to be near the transfer case.
It doesn't change if the clutch is in or out.
The noise is not affected by steering.
It's not belt related as it does not change with engine RPM.

 

[macleanflood]

Could throw u joints and a double carden at your driveshafts. Or grease them up.

-Mac

 

[Imagineer]

I just noticed a thread titled "Angry Sparrows?" and that is an excellent description of the mystery squeak. I'll start with removing the front driveshaft and see if that cures it.

Regarding rebuilding the double Carden, is it a pain to accomplish or is it worth just replacing the whole driveshaft with one from RockAuto ($190)?

 

[macleanflood]

is it a pain to accomplish or is it worth just replacing the whole driveshaft with one from RockAuto ($190)?

There was just a thread about a front shaft from Rock Auto.

I'd call Tom Woods or Adam's Driveshaft and either buy a shaft or have them send you the good parts.

-Mac

 

[KennethS]

Regarding rebuilding the double Carden, is it a pain to accomplish or is it worth just replacing the whole driveshaft with one from RockAuto ($190)?

I did mine some years ago and it was essentially removing and installing some u-joints and the centering bearing.

 

[Imagineer]

Mystery squeak is gone. Whereas I can't be certain what was the culprit, I suspect it was the centering bearing in the double cardan joint. While replacing all the universals (front and rear driveshafts), the centering bearing seemed to be the one with almost no grease.

 

[JKP]

Yep, and if it seizes, goodbye tcase. Glad you got it replaced.