strange clicking, ticking sound at low speed in the front

[10ga]

Just bought my 1998 SR5 4wheel drive, auto tranny and I noticed today that there's a low ticking / clicking / knocking sound coming from the front end only when I first take off from a dead stop. I can't hear it when I put it in park or after 10 mph so I don't think it's coming from the engine, maybe the drive train? Almost sounds like it's coming from the passenger side of the front.

I guess I need to have it put on a rack and take a closer look but I thought someone may of had the same issue before.

Thanks for any help

 

[Opi]

i have a similar issue i have no idea wtf it is. mine at idle is a tapping, only when in a forward gear or reverse. in neutral and park it smooths out and you dont hear it. is yours anything like that?

 

[10ga]

Sounds the same as mine. Hopefully someone will know what it is.

 

[Opi]

Sounds the same as mine. Hopefully someone will know what it is.

it cant be a motor issue, my buddy said something about it possibly being "the bolts on the torque converter walking out" whatever that means i have no idea..

 

[10ga]

The best way I can describe the sound it sounds like a stick in heavy motorcycle spokes (just the clicking noise, not very hollow) or like a stick is stuck in the front end and it's catching a wheel or axle. Nothing real loud and it's only starting from a stop to very low speed. Maybe not coming from the front, maybe front to middle. Maybe a U-joint? Tranny fluid is clear and has no smell to it so hopefully it's that.

 

[10ga]

Anyone?

 

[topdown4runner]

Possibly a front CV joint going bad????

 

[JohnsD90]

Sounds like a CV or a U joint going bad, check to make sure your CV boots aren't ripped open, and grease your u joints, if one doesn't accept grease anymore you found your problem.

 

[10ga]

Thanks JohnsD90 and topdown4runner, that gives me somewhere to start.

I also have another noise coming from the front that sounds more like tire road noise but I have Michelin LTX's so I'm thinking they shouldn't be roaring. Seems like you can hear a difference when the shock closes while going down an uneven road. The tires need to be replaced in the next 10 - 15 thousand miles but they're not that bad. Just wondering if this may be a symptom of the CV joint also?

Thanks again

 

[cj80cruiser]

how long has this been going on for you guys that have the sound?

 

[topdown4runner]

Sounds like you could also use shocks. Possibly an alignment too ( road noise )
How many miles on your truck?
Take a look at the front end, underneath. Tie rod ends, ball joints, etc...
Like JohnsD90 said, check for CV grease underneath - looks like slimy silly puddy.
Seems like your best option would be go to a reputable shop and have them take a look. Granted, a shop will try to sell you everything under the sun, but get a written quote of what is wrong and cost to fix. Have them bring you out and show you the bad parts. You can decide from there what to fix on your own, and or get competing quotes.

 

[RadRunner]

Physically go under and check the engine bay and underbody. Back in the day I left a wrench in my engine bay and it was rattling like crazy for a couple weeks till I found it lol.:moon:

 

[10ga]

I just took it to the shop where I've had my trucks serviced for years ( great shop who specializes in off-road vehicles) and he seems to think it's either a front wheel bearing or a diff bearing. That's about all he could tell from driving it but said he will know for sure when he gets it on the rack. He said the roaring sound is definitely bearing noise and that's what is causing the clicking sound at take off also. When I hear diff bearing I go into a panic but he said it's really not that big of a deal. He said it will be easier if it's the wheel bearing but still not too bad if it's the diff.

Anyone else had a diff bearing go bad? Just wondering how common it is.

 

[rubbman]

Have you checked for rocks and nails in tires?

 

[10ga]

Yeah, I've checked in, around, and out but there's nothing that I can see. When I test drove it today with the mechanic, he had it up to 30 - 40 mph and was turning the wheel hard left and right, you could hear the roaring sound change when he did. He said that's usually a good sign that a wheel bearing is bad. This guy has worked on all my Land Cruisers over the years so I'm pretty confident he can figure it out. I wished I felt more comfortable taking it apart and doing it myself but I would probably tear something else up in the process. Back when I was younger I would drop a tranny, rebuild an engine, or whatever, too many years behind a desk I guess has got me doubting I can do it. Oh well, I'm stimulating the economy

 

[bigwebb83]

u joint. This happened to my wifes dodge neon when we were in college and it ended up dying on us in the middle of a road trip. Get it fixed now because if you wait till it breaks it can tear up alot of stuff down there.