Farting, squealing, and clunking....

[Ahoragi]

I'm trying to figure these things out and asking for the help of the fine knowledgeable folks on this forum.

First thing is the farting. I am profoundly deaf but I can hear a good bit with these new powerful hearing aids. When accelerating I noticed the jeep sounds like it's farting...or like those stupid ricer exhausts. My hearing is awful as mentioned but I can hear this and it does not sound normal (unless it is?). Everything seems to working normally except for this rpm change at idle that's i've had for a couple years and haven't been able to diagnose. Not sure if the rpm issue is related but I think it may be a gasket leak somewhere. I just installed a Bank's Monster Exhaust this past spring so exhaust is new. I dunno if the jeep's been doing this since or recently cuz I just got these hearing aids and can hear more than usual now. It could just be how the exhaust sounds...or not. I have no idea. I can produce a video with sound if necessary.

Second issue is clunking in the steering and rattles when going over bumps and rough terrain. I start up the jeep and (at a stop) turn the steering wheel to 9 o-clock and get a clunk. I then turn it to 3 o-clock and get another clunk. Every component up front (except for control arm bushings) is new or was replaced with better than oem components (spicer ball joints, timken bearings, Crown HD steering, Zone sway bar links). I cannot see any visual movement or feel anything in the steering below the steering box. Trackbar is also brand-spanking new (Metalcloak) and has zero play. I feel the clunks heavily when I grab the steering shaft in the engine bay but both joints on it have no play. The jeep has 105k miles on it and I'm thinking the steering box is the culprit BUT my steering is dead on and reacts instantly so a bit unsure on this one.

The 3rd issue is a squeak/squeal when turning the steering wheel quickly or fully to the left or right. It's downright annoying and always happening in the winter time (cold) but rare in the summer but it does happen. I'm thinking there's a seal or something inside the steering wheel that's making this noise because it's very loud in the cab.

If you got any ideas then toss em my way and I'll check things out.

Thanks

Chris

 

[Chris]

I'm trying to figure these things out and asking for the help of the fine knowledgeable folks on this forum.

First thing is the farting. I am profoundly deaf but I can hear a good bit with these new powerful hearing aids. When accelerating I noticed the jeep sounds like it's farting...or like those stupid ricer exhausts. My hearing is awful as mentioned but I can hear this and it does not sound normal (unless it is?). Everything seems to working normally except for this rpm change at idle that's i've had for a couple years and haven't been able to diagnose. Not sure if the rpm issue is related but I think it may be a gasket leak somewhere. I just installed a Bank's Monster Exhaust this past spring so exhaust is new. I dunno if the jeep's been doing this since or recently cuz I just got these hearing aids and can hear more than usual now. It could just be how the exhaust sounds...or not. I have no idea. I can produce a video with sound if necessary.

Sounds like a gasket to me. I'd have someone sit in the car and rev it while you listen under the hood and under the vehicle. If there is an exhaust leak, it should be very easy to pinpoint where it's coming from when you're walking around the vehicle.

Second issue is clunking in the steering and rattles when going over bumps and rough terrain. I start up the jeep and (at a stop) turn the steering wheel to 9 o-clock and get a clunk. I then turn it to 3 o-clock and get another clunk. Every component up front (except for control arm bushings) is new or was replaced with better than oem components (spicer ball joints, timken bearings, Crown HD steering, Zone sway bar links). I cannot see any visual movement or feel anything in the steering below the steering box. Trackbar is also brand-spanking new (Metalcloak) and has zero play. I feel the clunks heavily when I grab the steering shaft in the engine bay but both joints on it have no play. The jeep has 105k miles on it and I'm thinking the steering box is the culprit BUT my steering is dead on and reacts instantly so a bit unsure on this one.

This to me sounds like track bar issues. I had the same clunk, and it turned out to be a bolt on my track bar wasn't tightened down to the correct torque spec. However, it could go further than this and end up being one of the track bar bushings or drag link / tie rod ends. When was the last time any of that stuff was replaced? It could also be your ball joints going out as well, especially if it's happening when you go over bumps. Perhaps it's time for a total bushing refresh?

I
The 3rd issue is a squeak/squeal when turning the steering wheel quickly or fully to the left or right. It's downright annoying and always happening in the winter time (cold) but rare in the summer but it does happen. I'm thinking there's a seal or something inside the steering wheel that's making this noise because it's very loud in the cab.

If you got any ideas then toss em my way and I'll check things out.

Thanks

Chris

This issue sounds to me like you need to apply some grease to the clock spring area. Remove the steering wheel and apply some grease. My bet is that this will get rid of that squeak (assuming it's coming from inside of the vehicle).

 

[Ahoragi]

Sounds like a gasket to me. I'd have someone sit in the car and rev it while you listen under the hood and under the vehicle. If there is an exhaust leak, it should be very easy to pinpoint where it's coming from when you're walking around the vehicle.



This to me sounds like track bar issues. I had the same clunk, and it turned out to be a bolt on my track bar wasn't tightened down to the correct torque spec. However, it could go further than this and end up being one of the track bar bushings or drag link / tie rod ends. When was the last time any of that stuff was replaced? It could also be your ball joints going out as well, especially if it's happening when you go over bumps. Perhaps it's time for a total bushing refresh?



This issue sounds to me like you need to apply some grease to the clock spring area. Remove the steering wheel and apply some grease. My bet is that this will get rid of that squeak (assuming it's coming from inside of the vehicle).

I'll start by checking the gaskets. Thanks.

The trackbar is brand new (metalcloak) and I torqued down the bolts to proper specs with blue locktight. MC uses BIG bolts so they get REALLY tight. I had the lady turn the wheel back and forth while I held onto each end and there's zero movement or clunk coming from it. The jeep was doing this with the previous moog trackbar as well. My steering is 3 months old (crown HD) and I could not get any of the tie rods to produce play/noise during the trackbar inspection. My ball joints are Spicers that I replaced in 2013. I haven't checked them but I've had alot of bad ball joint experiences (i'm a mudder lol) and they are not showing any symptoms but I'll check em anyways.

Is it difficult to remove the steering wheel with the air bag?

 

[Jerry Bransford]

The 3rd issue is a squeak/squeal when turning the steering wheel quickly or fully to the left or right. It's downright annoying and always happening in the winter time (cold) but rare in the summer but it does happen. I'm thinking there's a seal or something inside the steering wheel that's making this noise because it's very loud in the cab.

That squeak is common and comes from where the steering shaft passes through its rubber boot on the firewall. Spray the shaft & boot liberally with a long-lasting lubricant like an aerosol white lithium grease and that'll cure it for probably a couple years. Don't waste your time spraying it with WD-40 which won't last more than a week or two.

 

[Ahoragi]

Well it was only 90 degrees out today so I decided to sweat my balls off and do some diagnosing on the jeep. A little online research, a shop vac blower, duct tape, and some soapy water leads me to think I have a leak in the exhaust manifold. You guys agree? Pretty obvious huh? It's even leaking through the bolt.












I also tried tightening up the t-bar but it's as tight as it can be so that rules it out. All tie rods have no play but I'm swapping my currie system over to it just for the heck of it. I still think it's the steering box. It seems to be getting worse every time I drive it. I get clunks at 3 oclock, 9 oclock, when parking, and driving up my driveway. It's being parked till fixed for now.

I haven't greased the steering boot yet since I can't find my can of lithium grease. Gonna have to pick up another can.

 

[Chris]

Yep, I think you found your problem. Time for a exhaust manifold / gasket.

 

[Ahoragi]

Yep, I think you found your problem. Time for a exhaust manifold / gasket.

I never did this type of fix before. What else should I tackle while I'm at it?

 

[Chris]

I never did this type of fix before. What else should I tackle while I'm at it?

It's a pain in the butt to get that exhaust manifold off. Definitely replace the intake / exhaust manifold gasket (it's a single gasket for both). I would replace any rusted nuts or bolts that hold it on, just to make it easier. It's also a perfect time to replace your upstream cats (if need be) and O2 sensors.

That's about all I can think of, unless you want to do your engine mounts at the same time.

 

[DN EG 3]

I saw this thread title and thought, "How has this guy heard me getting out of bed in the morning?!".

 

[Ahoragi]

It's a pain in the butt to get that exhaust manifold off. Definitely replace the intake / exhaust manifold gasket (it's a single gasket for both). I would replace any rusted nuts or bolts that hold it on, just to make it easier. It's also a perfect time to replace your upstream cats (if need be) and O2 sensors.

That's about all I can think of, unless you want to do your engine mounts at the same time.

Thanks. All 02's are new and mounts look pretty. Dunno about the cats but I bet they are fine.

The bolts do look like they will cause alot of grief. One actually looks like it's rust-welded on.

 

[Ahoragi]

Another update: I'm in the process of swapping my steering systems from both jeeps so I the TJ has no steering. I used this opportunity to inspect the box while nothing was connected to it. I get a very slight bit of play from the output shaft when I shake it. I also still get the clunk at 3 and 9 oclock but it's lighter probably due to no stress on the box with the steering off.

So it's looking like the box is bad and I'm going to order the mopar box that Jerry recommended.

 

[Chris]

Nothing like a new steering box!

 

[mrblaine]

Well it was only 90 degrees out today so I decided to sweat my balls off and do some diagnosing on the jeep. A little online research, a shop vac blower, duct tape, and some soapy water leads me to think I have a leak in the exhaust manifold. You guys agree? Pretty obvious huh? It's even leaking through the bolt.



View attachment 5717





I also tried tightening up the t-bar but it's as tight as it can be so that rules it out. All tie rods have no play but I'm swapping my currie system over to it just for the heck of it. I still think it's the steering box. It seems to be getting worse every time I drive it. I get clunks at 3 oclock, 9 oclock, when parking, and driving up my driveway. It's being parked till fixed for now.

I haven't greased the steering boot yet since I can't find my can of lithium grease. Gonna have to pick up another can.

Unless anyone has specifically dealt with that front stud in the head before, they will likely be stumped when they replace the gasket and it still leaks. It will also leak coolant because it penetrates the water jacket. Any time you mess with that stud, you should remove it from the head and use a high temp RTV on the threads to seal them.

Just went through this on a newly rebuilt engine swap. After a complete R&R, the only leak we had anywhere was that stud and a call to the engine builder solved the issue although it left me with a big WTF? as to why it isn't a matter of course to pull and seal that stud when you do the head work. It was an easy fix, just not one I should have had to do.

 

[Ahoragi]

Unless anyone has specifically dealt with that front stud in the head before, they will likely be stumped when they replace the gasket and it still leaks. It will also leak coolant because it penetrates the water jacket. Any time you mess with that stud, you should remove it from the head and use a high temp RTV on the threads to seal them.

Just went through this on a newly rebuilt engine swap. After a complete R&R, the only leak we had anywhere was that stud and a call to the engine builder solved the issue although it left me with a big WTF? as to why it isn't a matter of course to pull and seal that stud when you do the head work. It was an easy fix, just not one I should have had to do.

Thanks for that info, Blaine. I'll keep it in mind when I tear it apart for the fix.