Transmission ticking noise

John Grish

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Joined
Mar 8, 2018
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9
Location
Gaylord, MI, USA
Hi guys. I have a 97 TJ with 4.0 5 speed. I hear a ticking sound in all gears when under a load only. If the Jeep is sitting no sound. 1st take off and there's the ticking sound. I've read some other ticking issues here on the forum but they are saying they hear it all the time. I only hear my ticking under a load in all gears. 2wd or 4wd.

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Hi guys. I have a 97 TJ with 4.0 5 speed. I hear a ticking sound in all gears when under a load only. If the Jeep is sitting no sound. 1st take off and there's the ticking sound. I've read some other ticking issues here on the forum but they are saying they hear it all the time. I only hear my ticking under a load in all gears. 2wd or 4wd.

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Does it disappear with the clutch in?
 
Yes I should have mentioned that. As long as there is no load on, no sound. Only hear it when there's a load on.

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I just purchased this Jeep about 3 weeks ago. So the sound has been there since I've owned it. No marble sound just ticking. Ticking get faster the faster I go.

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I just purchased this Jeep about 3 weeks ago. So the sound has been there since I've owned it. No marble sound just ticking. Ticking get faster the faster I go.

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Hmm, FYI - the transmissions in our Jeeps are noisy. Just the nature of the beast. We bought a Jeep, not a Lexus! That said, this to me sounds like your input shaft bearing. How loud is the tick and do you know if you have an aftermarket transmission mount? (More specifically a polyeurathane mount)
 
Ok Here's a video I talk a couple of weeks ago. I know it's not the best but you can hear it.


Yeah, that is clearly audible in the video. It appeared that you couldn't always reproduce the problem though, is that correct?

I would first try and rule out any low hagning fruit - check for play in your skid plate, your exhaust heat shield, and any other potentially loose components. If those aren't the issue - I would probably defer to someone like @Rob5589 who has a lot of experience in this arena!
 
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was there some kind of problem with a bolt to the flywheel coming loose an rubbing, making a ticking sound, on some jeeps, i thought i was reading about somewhere? said something about taking the bottom cover to fly wheel to observe it?
 
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It ended up being loose flywheel bolts took off the inspection plate and tightend down the loses flywheel bolts got about 3 turns from each one —- the guy said below?
 
Yes that is kinda like my noise sounds like, however if does not make any noise just sitting there. On when I move and under a load.

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Yes that is kinda like my noise sounds like, however if does not make any noise just sitting there. On when I move and under a load.

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Something to check out? not sure if a load would induce it to happen, if they were only sticking out so far, but over the threshold when load was induce.
 
I have listened to that over and over till wifee said no more haha. It sure sounds like an exhaust leak to me. but it is really hard to tell by that short video. So have to ask some questions and really it can be so many things
But...
Do you only hear it or can you feel it in your shifter knob?
How about your transfer case knob? Can you feel it there?
Can you feel it anywhere, like your seat your gas pedal.

Does it change pitch when turning under a load?

In the video it sounds like the same noise no matter how fast you are going? Is that true, or does it speed up or slow down or change pitch at different speed and gears?

What does your oil pressure gauge say under a load? Do you have oil in your engine, trans and transfer case? What about differential? Are they topped off? What do your u-joints look like?

I see you have a pretty good pattern you figured out it only happens when you give it gas but goes away on coast that is good, but we need more.

I noticed your boot is not on right? If your inner boot is missing or ripped anything from under the Jeep will sound like it is coming from the transmission.

So tomorrow morning do me a favor. before you start the jeep open the hood and roll down your windows and then start the jeep and give it a couple of low revs in neutral, and let me know if you hear that noise?

Meanwhile I will try and think of something that can tick during accell and quiet during coast. Right now without being able to touch it I am thinking something with the motor, but just a guess based on the short video. (That video was a good idea though)
 
If that was an automatic, I'd say a cracked flex plate. And like @ac_ said, it sure sounds almost like an exhaust leak, which would become more audible under load. I've heard some strange noises from clutch assemblies before, too, but that sure sounds like a loose bolt or bolts. If I was to venture a guess, I'd almost think it was a loose pressure plate mounting bolt (bolts to the flywheel), or a crack in the pressure plate. Maybe a broken spring in one of the components. The only way to know for certain, it seems to me, is to pull it apart and look at it. But I'd sure want to eliminate every other possibility before doing so.
 
Thanks you guys for all the suggestions. I want to look at the things you are requesting, however we are currently under a blizzard warning. Ya really really sucks being it was 50 last week. Now 12" -18" on our plate. Once the weather clears up it's back to checking.

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Update: Took the TJ into the shop today. They checked the Bolts on flywheel. All were tight. They scooped the engine and said the ticking was coming from the back of the engine. #5 or #6 cylinder. Possible valve. They would have to take the head off to see what condition the valves are in. $400 bill.
 
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I am having the same issues out of my 2000 4.0 5 speed. Mine started out just barely noticing it in 5th and sometimes 4th, but keeps getting g worse and does it in every gear now. First thought that it was just U joints going bad, but I changed them and still had the same noise. I am stumped. Did anyone ever find a fix?