Noise help between 40-50 mph

The Real Lxxtsy

The Real Lxxtsy

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So I've been trying to figure out what this noise and I can't, beem having this for a year and a half now. Sounds like a growling/howling noise. It's a 98 sport, 4.0 stick and stock overall. This only happens between 40-50 mph anything below or above that I don't get the noise. I've checked the front diff. Oil and it's at the right level. Then started thinking it might be a wheel bearing but a wheeling bearing would make noise at all speeds. So I'm at a loss currently and need some help. Made a video but i can't upload it. Thanks in advance.
 
Without hearing it or riding in it, I would probably start at tires. You are probably going to tell my you got new tires and that didn't make a difference, but I don't know that in advance so I would start there if it were me. Do you have a buddy that you can swap tires with?

Or

maybe something in a transmission? You didn't specify a manual or auto, so does this sound only happen in a certain gear at that range? or are you at a certain gear at that range. If it is an auto it could possibly be a torque converter clutch, but it is locked up in overdrive too so it should make noise there also. And if it is over-run chances are you would loose OD.

or could it be wind noise? I mean usually it would start at a certain point and just get louder from there, but I don't know. I actually have a whistle that comes from my firewall in my RAM that is really loud above 50 but seems to go away, but I don't know if the truck just gets louder or if it actually goes away.


I am trying to think what would be on at 40 and off at 50.

I still think it could be possible that it is a wheel bearing. They do make noises that you described. If you turn at 40-50 (don't do anything dangerous) Does the sound change? sometimes wheel bearings will change pitch if you turn.

You found a pattern so that is good now you need to narrow it down.
 
Don't have anyone to swap tires with. It's a manual trans. When I'm in 4th or 5th between 40-50 it happens. I know it's not wind noise for sure. Have not taken a turn at that speed either and would be scared to turn that fast. Wish I could upload the video.

@Chris, can we not upload any mp4 videos?
 
lxxtsy said:
Don't have anyone to swap tires with. It's a manual trans. When I'm in 4th or 5th between 40-50 it happens. I know it's not wind noise for sure. Have not taken a turn at that speed either and would be scared to turn that fast. Wish I could upload the video.

@Chris, can we not upload any mp4 videos?
Click to expand...

Hosting videos is too intensive. YouTube does it best.

So ultimately if you want to post a video here, upload it to YouTube or Vimeo, then just copy and past the link here, and it will be automatically embedded to the post.
 
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It is hard to tell from the video, but it doesn't sound like tires.

You say the noise happens regardless of gear 4th or 5th but pretty consistent at 40-50?

That is a tough one.
I would do all of the free stuff first, check all fluids, I know you said you checked the fluid in your diffs, but what about the TC and Trans? Maybe nothing but you can rule that out and you can be confident that they are full.

see if the noise changes if you go 40-50 in 4wd. I don't really know what that will prove, but might point us into more things to try.
 
ac_ said:
It is hard to tell from the video, but it doesn't sound like tires.

You say the noise happens regardless of gear 4th or 5th but pretty consistent at 40-50?

That is a tough one.
I would do all of the free stuff first, check all fluids, I know you said you checked the fluid in your diffs, but what about the TC and Trans? Maybe nothing but you can rule that out and you can be confident that they are full.

see if the noise changes if you go 40-50 in 4wd. I don't really know what that will prove, but might point us into more things to try.
Click to expand...

Very hard top tell in the video, made 4 videos and this is the best of all 4. Noise happens regardless of gear 4th or 5th but pretty consistent at 40-50, higher pitch at 40.
I haven't checked the TC yet, which is now a to do asap. Was thinking about putting it in 4wd and seeing what happens. Even thought it might be clutch problem, possible throw out bearing or something else and nope, pushed the clutch in at 40 and still can hear the noise.
 
I feel your pain brother! That's a new sounding noise in my experiences. I'd say spend some time under your rig inspecting everything you can for something out of the ordinary. It sounds drivetrain related, but these kind of things can be tough to diagnose.
 
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lxxtsy said:
Very hard top tell in the video, made 4 videos and this is the best of all 4. Noise happens regardless of gear 4th or 5th but pretty consistent at 40-50, higher pitch at 40.
I haven't checked the TC yet, which is now a to do asap. Was thinking about putting it in 4wd and seeing what happens. Even thought it might be clutch problem, possible throw out bearing or something else and nope, pushed the clutch in at 40 and still can hear the noise.
Click to expand...

That was my next suggestion seeing what happens when you push the clutch in. Now that does actually help. When you push your clutch in it engages the throw out bearing but separates the engine from the trans. So the load in the transfer case and trans are coming from the opposite way. Since that doesn't change anything I would suspect it is something rolling on the chassis. I would guess if it was a trans or transfer case issue it would change pitch if you hit the clutch as that would change the load. Now I am starting to think it is something chassis related? Maybe a rear axle bearing? Not sure why speed would make a difference, but I have seen weirder things.

By chance did you do the front brakes recently or any kind of front end work? I did the brakes on my Ram once and somehow bent my backing plate behind the rotor and it made noise only at certain times. I don't remember but I figured it out pretty quickly and fixed it. Although that would be more of a grinding noise than a growl.

Might be worth while draining your rear diff and pulling the axles. Someone might have to jump in to confirm as I haven't been in a Dana 35 yet, but if it is C-clipped it is fairly easy to yank the axles and make sure they are not worn and check the bearings. Also might be good to check the wear pattern on your ring and pinion.

That would really be my next move if it were me.

Remember I am thinking generically and not specifically to your issue, because I can't really be sure what the noise is. You will have to use your best judgment.
 
ac_ said:
That was my next suggestion seeing what happens when you push the clutch in. Now that does actually help. When you push your clutch in it engages the throw out bearing but separates the engine from the trans. So the load in the transfer case and trans are coming from the opposite way. Since that doesn't change anything I would suspect it is something rolling on the chassis. I would guess if it was a trans or transfer case issue it would change pitch if you hit the clutch as that would change the load. Now I am starting to think it is something chassis related? Maybe a rear axle bearing? Not sure why speed would make a difference, but I have seen weirder things.

By chance did you do the front brakes recently or any kind of front end work? I did the brakes on my Ram once and somehow bent my backing plate behind the rotor and it made noise only at certain times. I don't remember but I figured it out pretty quickly and fixed it. Although that would be more of a grinding noise than a growl.

Might be worth while draining your rear diff and pulling the axles. Someone might have to jump in to confirm as I haven't been in a Dana 35 yet, but if it is C-clipped it is fairly easy to yank the axles and make sure they are not worn and check the bearings. Also might be good to check the wear pattern on your ring and pinion.

That would really be my next move if it were me.

Remember I am thinking generically and not specifically to your issue, because I can't really be sure what the noise is. You will have to use your best judgment.
Click to expand...

The thought of axle bearings crossed my mind or driveline issue. I haven't replaced any front brakes parts but have inspected them and seem fine. Need to spend time underneath and check things out.
 
Would water mixed in the front diff. Cause issues? There's been a hand full of time's where the stupid breath tube on the front axle has popped off and been caught in rain.
 
Rob5589 said:
In the video I can hear a light "howl". Is that what you are hearing? On the gas, off the gas, or all the time?
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That howl is very loud in the cab. Once I approach 40 it starts, gas on and off. If I'm at 45 and let off the gas it will continue to howl until my speed is below 40. Its a continuous howl from 40-50.
 
lxxtsy said:
That howl is very loud in the cab. Once I approach 40 it starts, gas on and off. If I'm at 45 and let off the gas it will continue to howl until my speed is below 40. Its a continuous howl from 40-50.
Click to expand...

Just a guess off the video, sounds like it could be ring and pinion since it is between a certain speed range. More on or off the gas can be bearings in the pinion; rear bearing on the gas, front bearing off the gas. Pull the rear cover and take a look. If all looks ok, the noise is simply just noise, not necessarily indicative of a problem. Again, purely guessing.
 
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:dancer2::dancer2::dancer2::dancer2::dancer2::dancer2::dancer2::dancer2::dancer2::dancer2::dancer2::dancer2::dancer2::dancer2::dancer2::dancer2::dancer2::dancer2:Problem solved , fingers crossed. Sunday night, Chicago got snow through early Tuesday morning and used 4H for 2 days. Before leaving work on the second day, I put it back into 2H and noticed that the noise I've been hearing this whole time is gone. I could not believe it, while driving I kept it in the range of the noise and nothing all the way home. It's been 3 days now and no noise. I'm so relieved you guys you have no idea. This makes me ponder if the TC was not engage into 2H this whole time possibly due to rusted linkage or it needed to get the cobwebs out since we've been getting mild winters and barley needed to use 4H. Now I have ruled out the other million things I thought was the problem. :beer-toast1:
 
ac_ said:
That was my next suggestion seeing what happens when you push the clutch in. Now that does actually help. When you push your clutch in it engages the throw out bearing but separates the engine from the trans. So the load in the transfer case and trans are coming from the opposite way. Since that doesn't change anything I would suspect it is something rolling on the chassis. I would guess if it was a trans or transfer case issue it would change pitch if you hit the clutch as that would change the load. Now I am starting to think it is something chassis related? Maybe a rear axle bearing? Not sure why speed would make a difference, but I have seen weirder things.

By chance did you do the front brakes recently or any kind of front end work? I did the brakes on my Ram once and somehow bent my backing plate behind the rotor and it made noise only at certain times. I don't remember but I figured it out pretty quickly and fixed it. Although that would be more of a grinding noise than a growl.

Might be worth while draining your rear diff and pulling the axles. Someone might have to jump in to confirm as I haven't been in a Dana 35 yet, but if it is C-clipped it is fairly easy to yank the axles and make sure they are not worn and check the bearings. Also might be good to check the wear pattern on your ring and pinion.

That would really be my next move if it were me.

Remember I am thinking generically and not specifically to your issue, because I can't really be sure what the noise is. You will have to use your best judgment.
Click to expand...

I removed my rear drive shaft and ran in front wheel drive. The noise went away telling me it was for sure in the rear end. It could be putting load on the pinion bearing? That's gonna be my first check I do.
 
I hear a noise at similar speeds. The original video posted by "The Real Lxxtsy" is not available now. I have a video of the noise I hear:

Could you please check if this is the same? I am trying to find a fix for this. The Jeep is a 2005 Sport, stock except for Rancho 5000x shocks and OME 2 inch springs installed. No transfer case drop, no rear trackbar relocation. Sound is heard with or without the clutch pedal depressed. Noise starts around 35-40 mph and goes on to higher speeds. I don't hear this at speeds above 60mph probably due to the other wind noises and soft top noises at that speed. Let me know if this sounds familiar.
 
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