Popping and Vibrations???

J-BlickPhoto

J-BlickPhoto

New member
I searched the forum (and a few others) and it seems like I'm not getting anywhere. So, ridicule me if there's a thread out there that describes my situation...then afterwards...point me in the right direction!

Two days ago I heard some clicking and popping coming from beneath the vehicle while decelerating. I could only here it when I was going less than 30mph, after that it would stop. It got somewhat worse yesterday and now it's very prominent with some slight vibrating through the steering wheel/vehicle while accelerating. I also noticed a whining noise when turning left. It sounds like its a CV problem, but its happening so rapidly and the vibrating is getting exponentially worse.

Here's what I've done so far:

Greased u-joints
checked transmission fluid
Jacked front end up - checked for any vibrations in the wheel - there were none
Took off both front wheels and reinstalled
Changed the brakes 2 weeks ago - they've been performing flawlessly
Minuscule amount of play in passenger side CV axle
Checked CV boot - perfect shape
Put vehicle in neutral while rolling at 5-10 mph - noise still occurs
Put vehicle in neutral while rolling at 5-10 mph while wheel is turned - noise still occurs

Any suggestions??
 
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For the whining noise this almost sounds like a power steering issue. Check fluid and belts. Sounds like you're on the right track with checking lubrication and grease for your second issue. Since it happens on deceleration I'd take a peek the motor mounts and tranny mount for signs of cracking. Also peek at your skids or any exhaust pipes to see if they happen to be banging on anything. Do you have access to a lift?
 
weeeee said:
For the whining noise this almost sounds like a power steering issue. Check fluid and belts. Sounds like you're on the right track with checking lubrication and grease for your second issue. Since it happens on deceleration I'd take a peek the motor mounts and tranny mount for signs of cracking. Also peek at your skids or any exhaust pipes to see if they happen to be banging on anything. Do you have access to a lift?
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Thanks for the input! No I don't have access to a lift. I've checked the skids and exhaust and they're tight. It definitely sounds like a CV problem, but it also occurs when I'm going straight.
 
Is the noise wheel speed related? You mentioned you could hear the noise while decelerating. Does it change if you're actively braking? Is it possible the noise is still there when you're decelerating at higher speeds and it's less audible?

Sorry for the 20 questions but I'm wondering if you have a caliper or brake pad clip issue. If the noise goes away while you're actively braking, then your culprit is probably in the brakes.
 
Ducmonsta said:
Is the noise wheel speed related? You mentioned you could hear the noise while decelerating. Does it change if you're actively braking? Is it possible the noise is still there when you're decelerating at higher speeds and it's less audible?

Sorry for the 20 questions but I'm wondering if you have a caliper or brake pad clip issue. If the noise goes away while you're actively braking, then your culprit is probably in the brakes.
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I feel like it is speed related, however I initially heard the clicking when I was only decelerating - braking/slowing down. It is very possible that it is still happening and I just can't hear it at higher speeds. What would you suggest? I have not pulled off the wheel and checked the brakes. Like I said before, it seems to be getting exponentially worse.
 
Any lines on the rotors? If the caliper clip (or something else on the brakes) is contacting the rotor, it would likely leave a tree-ring on the rotor.

Okki
 
J-BlickPhoto said:
I feel like it is speed related, however I initially heard the clicking when I was only decelerating - braking/slowing down. It is very possible that it is still happening and I just can't hear it at higher speeds. What would you suggest? I have not pulled off the wheel and checked the brakes. Like I said before, it seems to be getting exponentially worse.
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I would definitely check the calipers and make sure there is no loose hardware. Even the brake pad clips can cause the noise while rolling. But in general, the noise should ideally stop when applying the brakes. Because front brake calipers are in the 'back' of the rotor, any loose hardware or even calipers can make a rotational noise as the rotor rotates.

Although your other symptoms of whining and vibration through the steering wheel indicate another problem or something unrelated to my guess.

You could also engage 4wd and see if there are any significant changes to the noise. Having a direct load on the cvs may give you other ideas. But most importantly, I would determine if in fact it is wheel speed related. If you put it in 4lo, you can determine if it is drivetrain speed related.
 
Ducmonsta said:
I would definitely check the calipers and make sure there is no loose hardware. Even the brake pad clips can cause the noise while rolling. But in general, the noise should ideally stop when applying the brakes. Because front brake calipers are in the 'back' of the rotor, any loose hardware or even calipers can make a rotational noise as the rotor rotates.

Although your other symptoms of whining and vibration through the steering wheel indicate another problem or something unrelated to my guess.

You could also engage 4wd and see if there are any significant changes to the noise. Having a direct load on the cvs may give you other ideas. But most importantly, I would determine if in fact it is wheel speed related. If you put it in 4lo, you can determine if it is drivetrain speed related.
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So I placed it in 4lo and it still made the noise but it didn't seem as often. It seems to only occur when I am slowing down or applying the break. It's a definitive popping and clicking noise. I can't tell whether it's coming from the front or rear of the vehicle. Could it be my CV? I wouldn't think it would get so bad so quickly and the boots are in perfect condition? The vibrations through the steering wheel definitely began today. I'll have to check the brakes tomorrow...
 
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Noises are the worst. Have someone you trust listen outside the vehicle for you or have them drive and you listen. Once you isolate a specific side then you can really dig into component isolation.
 
I bet it is a CV as you've indicated. Lift the front of the vehicle and hand spin each wheel to determine which one (turn the wheel while hand spinning). CV would explain all your symptoms and the lift and spacers and your frequent off-roading likely resulted in premature failure.
 
You mentioned earlier that you took off the wheels and inspected. Did you also remove the wheel spacers? The vibration is what worries me the most. When was the last time you took off the wheel spacers and maintained them?

If the noise is still "slow" and sounds like it's rotational, you've narrowed it down to anything that turns at that speed (CV, wheels, front diff). A CV failure would surprise me a bit because I feel like most of your wheeling is to get to really good spots for photo ops and exploration. I don't think you've mentioned doing any heavy wheeling in places like Moab or the Rubicon. Correct me if I'm wrong.
 
JohnJerk said:
I bet it is a CV as you've indicated. Lift the front of the vehicle and hand spin each wheel to determine which one (turn the wheel while hand spinning). CV would explain all your symptoms and the lift and spacers and your frequent off-roading likely resulted in premature failure.
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Good suggestion. Even better would be if you could get all 4 tires off the ground and put it in 4wd. The higher angle of the cvs while in the air will give you a good indicator of whats happening. If the noise doesn't happen, then it sounds like it happens when there is a load on the suspension, wheels and tires.
 
minus the clicking this sounds exactly what I just went through on the wife's lexus. Ended up being a seized caliper.

ETA: you said it continues after braking. in my scenario it stopped once I depressed the brakes
 
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Ducmonsta said:
You mentioned earlier that you took off the wheels and inspected. Did you also remove the wheel spacers? The vibration is what worries me the most. When was the last time you took off the wheel spacers and maintained them?

If the noise is still "slow" and sounds like it's rotational, you've narrowed it down to anything that turns at that speed (CV, wheels, front diff). A CV failure would surprise me a bit because I feel like most of your wheeling is to get to really good spots for photo ops and exploration. I don't think you've mentioned doing any heavy wheeling in places like Moab or the Rubicon. Correct me if I'm wrong.
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No, I've never done anything like moab, it has all been trails that are easily passable by slightly modified vehicles. It's been a while since the wheel spacers have come off...9-12 months would be my best guess. The vibration is minimal. In fact my girlfriend couldn't feel it while sitting in the passenger seat, however I could feel it through the steering wheel. There is no sound associated with it, just the vibration. It starts around 35-40 MPH.
 
If all else fails, you might want to check out your lower control arm bushings. I had similar sounds coming from my 2011 trail except the clicking sound was not constant but all of the rest of the symptons you stated were there.
 
J-BlickPhoto said:
No, I've never done anything like moab, it has all been trails that are easily passable by slightly modified vehicles. It's been a while since the wheel spacers have come off...9-12 months would be my best guess. The vibration is minimal. In fact my girlfriend couldn't feel it while sitting in the passenger seat, however I could feel it through the steering wheel. There is no sound associated with it, just the vibration. It starts around 35-40 MPH.
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Take the wheels off again and make sure there is nothing wrong with the spacers or factory studs. This means removing the wheel spacers, cleaning the threads, and inspecting them of course. Pay particular attention to the threads of the factory wheel studs. Reapply loctite and re torque. If anything, you should be doing this as maintenance of those spacers anyway.
 
Ducmonsta said:
Take the wheels off again and make sure there is nothing wrong with the spacers or factory studs. This means removing the wheel spacers, cleaning the threads, and inspecting them of course. Pay particular attention to the threads of the factory wheel studs. Reapply loctite and re torque. If anything, you should be doing this as maintenance of those spacers anyway.
Click to expand...

Will do.
 
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