Mystery vibration

O

Old Iron

New Member
Joined
Apr 6, 2020
Messages
11
Location
N/A
Hey everyone, I’ve got an incredibly hard to find rubbing/grinding noise coming from my ‘02 TJ. My Jeep has been taken to 4 Jeep/off-road specialist who can’t pinpoint where it’s coming from even after looking at it for hours. They initially said it was the Transfer Case which I had rebuilt but the noise is still there. The following has been replaced/checked in attempt to fix it to no avail

•Transfer Case-Freshly rebuilt <100 miles ago
•Brakes- Complete overhaul and were checked by all 4 shops (includes pads,rotors,calipers,lines,master cylinder,dust shields,etc)
•Exhaust hangers-Checked by all 4 shops
•Wheel hubs-Checked and were lubricated (including wheel bearings)
•All the ball joints
•Axle shafts
•Front and rear driveshafts
•Every single U-joint
•Checked the cat-shields

Video for reference:

The noise can be heard in both 2H, 4H, 4L, and Neutral

The noise can also be heard while coasting with the transmission set in neutral but is not audible when idling in park.

Anything you guys have that could help identify the source of the noise is greatly appreciated!

Specs:

2002 Jeep Wrangler X
4.0L In-Line 6
3-Speed 32RH Automatic Transmission
 
That almost sounds like a heat shield rattling against something.
 
Slipstreak said:
Checked all the heat and cat shields, all are pretty solid and have no play
Click to expand...

If it were me, I'd put it up on a lift (or jack stands) and have someone get in it and put it in gear and make the wheels spin. Then I would get under it while they are doing that, as you'll be able to pinpoint the sound very, very accurately.
 
Rubicon John said:
It actually does sound a bit like a bad catalytic converter. I haven’t heard that sound in years but now that you mention it that’s exactly what it might be.
Click to expand...
Wouldn't a bad catalytic converter make noise at idle too? the noise isn't there unless the Jeep is in motion
 
Leads me too belive drive line issue.. Drive shafts too diffs.. Even coasting in neutral there always spinning.. Maybe yolkear bent pressing universal's? Do you run lockers? If its a vibrating spinning part usually they'll be a sweaty to tatle on it...
 
Rubicon John said:
It actually does sound a bit like a bad catalytic converter. I haven’t heard that sound in years but now that you mention it that’s exactly what it might be.
Click to expand...
X2. I had rattle when my cat fell apart, it wasnt at idle, but at low RPMs it would drive me crazy. I took a soft hammer and whacked the exhaust in a few places until I heard it again.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Somehellgiven
Top Bottom
Back