Help diagnosing Clicking Sound

[alexandersawyer]

My TJ recently developed a noticeable clicking noise, only at low speeds. Once you hit around 10mph it goes away. At first I thought it was a transfer case/transmission issue. After reading more and poking my head under the Jeep, I’m thinking it might be a driveshaft (U joint?) issue because if I manually turn the driveshaft that seems to align with the sound I’m hearing.

It happened in the past when I used 4H in the snow and the clicking started when I went back to 2H but then went away over time.

Linked is a video of the noise, then I stop and switch to 4H and turn a little bit and it sounds like there’s something broken/moving somewhere.

Any thoughts/things to try would be greatly appreciated.

https://vimeo.com/852010363?share=copy

 

[AndyG]

Spray we 40 on the front u joints -

Then the axle u joints at the hub

Then the rear -

That may help isolate it-

If it’s the front u joints pull the shaft- don’t drive it with it in.

 

[gatertamer]

My TJ recently developed a noticeable clicking noise, only at low speeds. Once you hit around 10mph it goes away. At first I thought it was a transfer case/transmission issue. After reading more and poking my head under the Jeep, I’m thinking it might be a driveshaft (U joint?) issue because if I manually turn the driveshaft that seems to align with the sound I’m hearing.

It happened in the past when I used 4H in the snow and the clicking started when I went back to 2H but then went away over time.

Linked is a video of the noise, then I stop and switch to 4H and turn a little bit and it sounds like there’s something broken/moving somewhere.

Any thoughts/things to try would be greatly appreciated.

https://vimeo.com/852010363?share=copy

Have you checked your differential fluid levels. Mine made the same noise. Turns out I was 8 ounces shy

 

[TheBoogieman]

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Make sure you’ve typed the URL correctly, or try searching Vimeo. You could also watch one of the videos below instead.

 

[alexandersawyer]

Have you checked your differential fluid levels. Mine made the same noise. Turns out I was 8 ounces shy

Good call. Checked the front diff and there was some fluid on the side, but I stuck my pinky all the way in and couldn’t find an actual level. Will refill and check again.

Any recommendations on diff fluid? Found an old thread but wasn’t sure if there’s new info available.