Rattle noise from front left wheel at speeds over 40 mph

[jeeptjowner]

Hi all. This noise has been driving me crazy. It's a 2006 TJ 6 cylinder manual.

Makes a rattle noise only over 45 mph. Sounds like rocks being rattled in a metal can. It's not rhythmic but gets louder the faster I go. Does not make any sound under 45.

I've replaced the wheel bearing and hub assembly, didn't change the sound. Ball joints look fine.

The sound happens regardless of gear It's in. Engine load doesn't make a difference, hitting brakes doesn't make a difference. Neutral vs under load doesn't make a difference.

Cv joint maybe? Anyone have this happen before?

 

[NashvilleTJ]

Hi all. This noise has been driving me crazy. It's a 2006 TJ 6 cylinder manual.

Makes a rattle noise only over 45 mph. Sounds like rocks being rattled in a metal can. It's not rhythmic but gets louder the faster I go. Does not make any sound under 45.

I've replaced the wheel bearing and hub assembly, didn't change the sound. Ball joints look fine.

The sound happens regardless of gear It's in. Engine load doesn't make a difference, hitting brakes doesn't make a difference. Neutral vs under load doesn't make a difference.

Cv joint maybe? Anyone have this happen before?

Pull the front driveshaft. If the noise goes away it’s likely a ujoint or the double cardan centering yoke in the driveshaft.

Don’t drive it like this. It the driveshaft is the problem and it goes, it can take out the transfer case.

 

[jeeptjowner]

Pull the front driveshaft. If the noise goes away it’s likely a ujoint or the double cardan centering yoke in the driveshaft.

Don’t drive it like this. It the driveshaft is the problem and it goes, it can take out the transfer case.

Thank you for reply. I will pull tonight and see if it goes away. It sounds more focused on the front left side but I suppose it could be echoing. No vibrations or any other issues. Would the u joint or driveshaft DC yoke make a speed depending sound like this?

 

[Jerry Bransford]

Check your driver's side sheet metal brake shield to make sure it's not loose or bent which can cause rattling and/or screeching sounds.

 

[jeeptjowner]

Check your driver's side sheet metal brake shield to make sure it's not loose or bent which can cause rattling and/or screeching sounds.

This is a good call - I actually removed it. Any other thoughts? It's pretty loud, no vibrations.

 

[Jerry Bransford]

This is a good call - I actually removed it. Any other thoughts? It's pretty loud, no vibrations.

Well heck that's too bad, I'd go ahead with the above suggested removal of the front driveshaft. Or instead of actually removing it entirely which is a PITA at its rear connection, just unbolt it from the front axle and zip-tie or tie it up securely so it can't fall down and drive it around.

 

[macleanflood]

Any chance you debeaded and re-seated a tire out on the trail?

Maybe got some extra rocks as passengers inside? Although I would think that would be low speed noise and decrease at speed.

Try your spare tire or rotate your fronts.

-Mac

 

[jeeptjowner]

Well heck that's too bad, I'd go ahead with the above suggested removal of the front driveshaft. Or instead of actually removing it entirely which is a PITA at its rear connection, just unbolt it from the front axle and zip-tie or tie it up securely so it can't fall down and drive it around.

I will give this a shot and report back

 

[jeeptjowner]

Any chance you debeaded and re-seated a tire out on the trail?

Maybe got some extra rocks as passengers inside? Although I would think that would be low speed noise and decrease at speed.

Try your spare tire or rotate your fronts.

-Mac

I've rotated all tires thinking this too and noise stayed on the front driver.

 

[Rickyd]

Do you have a stamped sheetmetal center cap on your wheels? When those come loose they make a noise similar to that. Remove that driveshaft asap though. A seized centering joint makes for a lot of carnage

 

[jeeptjowner]

Well heck that's too bad, I'd go ahead with the above suggested removal of the front driveshaft. Or instead of actually removing it entirely which is a PITA at its rear connection, just unbolt it from the front axle and zip-tie or tie it up securely so it can't fall down and drive it around.

So I removed the front driveshaft and took it for a spin and it was making the exact noise. What else could this be?

 

[macleanflood]

Try pulling the rear shaft and drive it in 4 high...just for science.

So my inner sketchy says put the driveshafts back in, put it up on four good, stable jack stands, start it up, put it in gear and see if you can recreate the noise and isolate it.

I'm also tempted to tell you to pull the front diff cover.

-Mac

 

[jeeptjowner]

Try pulling the rear shaft and drive it in 4 high...just for science.

So my inner sketchy says put the driveshafts back in, put it up on four good, stable jack stands, start it up, put it in gear and see if you can recreate the noise and isolate it.

I'm also tempted to tell you to pull the front diff cover.

-Mac

Thanks for this. I can really easily localize the sound from the left front wheel Area. I can tell it's not coming from the center or anywhere else. It's a Metallic tap sound. If it was something to do with the diff I'd imagine it would do it at all speeds. It only does it over 45mph or so. And continues doing it regardless of hitting gas, brake etc. Could it be axle shafts joint?

 

[macleanflood]

Could be anything. You just have to eliminate one part after the next until you figure it out.

I wouldn't rule out the diff... maybe there's a broken tooth rattling around in there and it doesn't get moving until you're at speed?

Calipers are also easy to pull without disconnecting brake lines. Could get a look inside the caliper cups?

As Sir Arthur Conan Doyle said via Sherlock Holmes...When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth.

-Mac

 

[jeeptjowner]

Could be anything. You just have to eliminate one part after the next until you figure it out.

I wouldn't rule out the diff... maybe there's a broken tooth rattling around in there and it doesn't get moving until you're at speed?

Calipers are also easy to pull without disconnecting brake lines. Could get a look inside the caliper cups?

As Sir Arthur Conan Doyle said via Sherlock Holmes...When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth.

-Mac

The noise isn't coming from the diff though (lucky for me). I was thinking caliper too but no play in system and I'd expect noise to change with braking but it doesn't. Stays exactly the same as long as I am going 45+ if I slow down it dissapears completely. This has me completely confused haha.

 

[mudmaster]

Have you tried jacking it up and spinning that wheel by hand?

 

[jeeptjowner]

Have you tried jacking it up and spinning that wheel by hand?

Yes. Feels normal. It doesn't make the noise until 45mph..

 

[mudmaster]

Yes. Feels normal. It doesn't make the noise until 45mph..

I'd try the sketch Mac advised using 2 people.

 

[Rickyd]

Is the tapping rythmic or random? Get faster with speed? If it increases with speed i would think it is related to rotating parts. If it is oscillating or random i would lean towards something loose in the engine bay or front end

 

[jeeptjowner]

More random than ryhtmic. Does not get too much faster with speed just potentially a bit louder.

Is the tapping rythmic or random? Get faster with speed? If it increases with speed i would think it is related to rotating parts. If it is oscillating or random i would lean towards something loose in the engine bay or front en