Is it an OPDA?

CybrSlydr

CybrSlydr

TJ Addict
Supporting Member
Lifetime Supporting Member
Joined
Jan 17, 2018
Messages
1,313
Location
Casper, WY
Driving home from the range with my brother with the windows down, I noticed an intermittent chirp noise coming from the passenger side in the engine area.

Not having heard an OPDA, it was my first thought. So I went on YouTube and found this:


Mine doesn't sound anything like that. It's higher pitched and increases/decreases with engine RPM. It doesn't exist at idle so I can't get a vid for you.

Any idea what it might be?
 
Last edited:
Can confirm it doesn't do it at idle, sitting. So I don't think it's an OPDA. Maybe just a wheel bearing or something that's squeaking? Don't believe it's a belt either as we held it at 2500rpm for about a minute and it didn't make the noise.
 
How about the alternator bearings ?
Next time the chirping starts you can place a screw driver with insulated handle on the alternator case to see if it's heard thru the screw driver handle. The chirping will be accompanied with a slight rough rumbling sound.
To further test this theory; you can spray a little WD40 behind the shaft pulley to see if the chirping goes away.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: CybrSlydr
Just to narrow out engine related noises, you can rev it at the throttle body while you’re listening around the engine bay. But if it’s only when moving, and increases with speed, it’s likely a UJoint or wheel bearing.
 
  • Like
Reactions: taylormade73 and CybrSlydr
The "chirp" description definitely makes me think it's the cv (Double Cardan) joint. It's not a u-joint, it sounds like the ball in the centering yoke.
I just replaced mine yesterday due to it sounding like a chirping bird.
Look up Angry Sparrows.
 
Blackegg said:
The "chirp" description definitely makes me think it's the cv (Double Cardan) joint. It's not a u-joint, it sounds like the ball in the centering yoke.
I just replaced mine yesterday due to it sounding like a chirping bird.
Look up Angry Sparrows.
Click to expand...

This ^
 
Next question would be is if this is something that can wait until I get to Wyoming or not? Safe to drive on it? If it is the CV/wheel bearing.
 
CybrSlydr said:
Next question would be is if this is something that can wait until I get to Wyoming or not? Safe to drive on it? If it is the CV/wheel bearing.
Click to expand...
That is the exact part I bought. The oil seal didn't fit though and I had to use the old one....better than nothing.
You may be able to get someone to grease it, if it's greasable, they usually take a needle zerk. This may calm it down for a bit. I wouldn't use 4-wheel drive until it's fixed. You can also just pull out the front driveshaft until you get it fixed.
IMG_20200529_164904101~3.jpg
 
  • Like
Reactions: CybrSlydr
Blackegg said:
That is the exact part I bought. The oil seal didn't fit though and I had to use the old one....better than nothing.
You may be able to get someone to grease it, if it's greasable, they usually take a needle zerk. This may calm it down for a bit. I wouldn't use 4-wheel drive until it's fixed. You can also just pull out the front driveshaft until you get it fixed.View attachment 165878
Click to expand...
Well, thankfully the road to Wyoming is all interstate for me, so 4wd shouldn't be something I need. :)
 
I'm assuming the vehicle was not moving when you took the video?

Based on that, it has absolutely nothing to do with the driveshafts or wheel bearings.

I would pull the belt and check all the rotating pulleys and such.

I would not travel anywhere before fixing it.
 
g.hayduke said:
I'm assuming the vehicle was not moving when you took the video?

Based on that, it has absolutely nothing to do with the driveshafts or wheel bearings.

I would pull the belt and check all the rotating pulleys and such.

I would not travel anywhere before fixing it.
Click to expand...

That's not my video - that's the one I found when I searched what an OPDA failing sounded like.

I posted it so you folks would know what I was looking for and that compared to that, it's not what I was hearing.
 
Top Bottom
Back