I have a 2001 2wd Cherokee and it just started making a clicking noise in the front end. I jacked the front end up, spun the wheels, shook the $h!+ out of everything and couldnt really see anything that stood out as being wrong. I greased all my fittings, etc, and I can still here the clicking and popping. It does not seem to be constant, although it does seem to be getting worse. It's to the point you can just dang near "feel" it all the way through the steering wheel (if that makes sense). The main time I notice it is when I am taking off from a stop light or stop sign, just easing on the gas..............pop...............pop............ ............pop.




Thanks

 

When you have it jacked up and supported on stands, spin the wheels and see if it might be the hub bearings. Also, it sounds silly but once I had ran over a 1/2" dia. bolt that pierced the tire and was making a clicking noise as I was driving. It didn't go flat, but it drove me crazy until the repair shop found out what it was!

 

whats the best, most sure fire way to make sure it is the wheel bearing. having to purchase the whole hub assembly is somewhat pricey so I'd like to make sure that is what it is before I start dropping loot on stuff i may not need.

thanks

 

You might want to check your shocks and bushings. A buddy had sounds like that with his 99 XJ on hard accel or hard braking. One of the shock bushings were worn out so he replaced the shocks and the sounds were gone.

 

Have the front supported on jack-stands under the axle. Spin wheel by hand listening for dry/whirring noise. With steering wheel in the straight ahead position position and ign. locked. Grab front wheel at the 9 & 3 o'clock positions and see if there is play. (Verify it is not in steering linkage.) At 12 & 6 o'clock positions check for vertical play. (Verify it is not in ball joints.) Usually there is no noticeable play unless they are ready to fail. Just the noise signals a need for replacement. I replaced both sides on mine. They're not very expensive, and very easy to do.

 

im not sure if it is the same noise but i had a couple of lugnnuts loose when i first got mine and it made a poping noise.

 

You can take it to a Sears Auto-Repair or other reputable chain that does free inspections, and have them check it for you. When/if they tell you that you need to replace the front hubs/bearing assy.'s, ask for a quote. If it's too expensive for you, tell them you didn't bring enough cash and will return again later. Then buy the parts and do it yourself!