Front end noise

Tiny
MIKE QUALLS
  • MEMBER
  • 2002 JEEP LIBERTY
  • 3.7L
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 145,000 MILES
When driving 25 MPH or slower I can hear a clicking with an occasional pop (not clunk), like something suddenly came unstuck. Sounds like it's on driver's side.
I replaced the CV axle and wheel bearing on driver side, but I still hear the clicking with an occasional pop. It clicks and pops whether I'm turning or not, and whether I'm braking or not.
Tuesday, December 29th, 2020 AT 12:01 PM

3 Replies

Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 33,737 POSTS
My first thought was the lug nuts are loose or not matched to the wheels, but that should have changed after repairs were done. This might be a good time to use a tool called the "Chassis Ear" That is a set of six microphones, a switch box, and head phones. You clip the microphones to suspect parts, then go on a test-drive while switching between the microphones.

The original set had six wired microphones, and cost around $200.00 from the guys who drive the tool trucks to the repair shops each week. Now there's additional sets that include some or all wireless microphones. I found the set with wired mics on eBay a couple of years ago for $100.00, brand new.

The noise has to caused by something that is rotating. That could include a brake pad anti-rattle clip touching a raised spot of rust on the edge of a rotor, or the edge of the rotor is just barely contacting the splash shield behind it. Splash shields can be pried away from the rotor pretty easily by hand or with a flat-blade screwdriver.

Worn parts like ball joints and control arm bushings can cause this too. If they no longer hold the front wheels in proper alignment, a tire can walk away from the center of the vehicle until the sidewall can't flex any more, then the tread suddenly pops back, then starts all over again. The "popping" tread isn't causing the noise. It's the sudden movement that allows a worn part to make the noise. This would be a good time to have the steering and suspension systems inspected at a tire and alignment shop. The people there are experts at finding the causes of noises, vibrations, and bad tire wear patterns.

A lot of auto parts stores rent or borrow tools. You may find a Chassis Ear there. In my city, they make you buy the tool, then you get a full refund when you take it back. If you choose to keep a tool, you still take it back, then they order or give you a brand new one.

You might take a look at this article too to see if it gives you more ideas:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/popping-noise
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Tuesday, December 29th, 2020 AT 2:27 PM
Tiny
MIKE QUALLS
  • MEMBER
  • 55 POSTS
Thanks. Pretty sure not brake issue, lug nuts, but could be ball joints, or possibly front drive train axle bearings.
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Wednesday, December 30th, 2020 AT 10:54 AM
Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 33,737 POSTS
I won't discount bearings, but those would be way down at the bottom of my list of suspects.

You might consider supporting the vehicle on four jack stands, then running it in gear with the tires off the ground. If bearings are involved with the noise, it should be different with no weight and no torque on them.
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Wednesday, December 30th, 2020 AT 3:20 PM

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