Seems to click each revolution - obviously the noise is more frequent the faster I drive. i thought perhaps wheel bearing but there is no play in the wheel that I could tell. Other side does not make the noise. Here are videos of the situation:


https://streamable.com/2owqhh
https://streamable.com/x58m4p
https://streamable.com/b4ioqa
https://streamable.com/vnpexc

 

If I had to guess, I'd say u-joints. Does the clicking get worse or different if you turn the wheel all the way in either direction?

Either that or it's your wheel telling you it needs to be washed.

 

Could be the axle shaft u join going bad or something with the brakes.

 

I promise I'll wash it just as soon as I get it mechanically in good condition! Will test this in the a.m.

U joint replacement does not look easy on the YouTube.

 

Its definitely a bit of work but nothing super complex.

 

dangerous to drive with bad u joint?

 

I can handle that then, will watch some more videos.

 

Tested. Seemed like when i had the wheel turned all the way to the right it was clicking once per revolution, when i had it turned all the way to the left i think it was clicking twice per revolution. However after reviewing the video it seems like its clicking twice either way.

turned right:
https://streamable.com/d4wsbv

turned left:
https://streamable.com/kfrt6v
https://streamable.com/nuablo

 

Can you stick your head up near the u-joins on the inside of the wheel while you turn it and try to pinpoint where exactly it's coming from based on sound?

 

I just took it for a drive and felt like I was having a harder time hearing the clicking. Usually the noise is very audibly bouncing off the houses in the neighborhood. maybe my hearing is just bad today

 

Took at stab at it. Here's where it sounds like its coming from to me, but it was really hard to tell.
https://streamable.com/cn3f9i

 

Here's some pics in video hoping something jumps out to someone



https://streamable.com/fibbd4

 

A busted u joint can lock up a wheel so yes its bad..can also damage the axle shaft seals if it starts to wobble. There is no u joint rotation if the wheel is straight so usually minimal noise, it gets very loud if you turn the wheels then rotate. It is a weekend job to change that joint...you have to remove brake calipers (easy). Remove the hub. ( not hard but time consuming). Break loose that 36mm nut and cottr key on the axle shaft. BREAK BOTH 36 mm nuts with both wheels on ground and chocked...Stupid Tight. Remove the 3 hub mounting bolts from back...1/2 size 12 point short 1/2 drive socket and breaker bar. Its easier to go to a hardware store and get the same dia metric bolt as the one you removed but 1/2 or more longer to somewhat thread back in and beat on it to push hub out of knuckle. If you beat on your actual hub bolts you damage the head and the socket might not fit or you bend it. Once the hub is free/ loose you just pull and the whole shaft slides out. You need a very large vise to press out u joints...and some have c clips. Its easy to break then or damage the axle...I pay my local driveshaft guy to remove and install the joints. On my several jeeps...i have gotten about 150k on a set of u joints you might as well put in new hubs while your at it...its not a job I like doing twice. I use greaseable u joints because then i know theyre lubed, and yes not as strong but its a daily driver road machine. I also lube the outside of the hub where it fits inti the knuckle with anti sieze because you will only beat a hub out once if your smart...now it drops into my hand when unbolted...oh yes CLICKETY CLACKING as you drive down street with the noise bouncing off the houses...bad u joints and a shimmying steereig wheel in turns...Do Them BOTH. and no you cannot drive without front axles

 

this makes it sound like not a u-joint, it's making the noise when the wheel is straight and I don't know that it's worse when turned. Also the steering wheel feels fine and tight

 

When you are spinning one wheel is the other wheel on ground or in the air? Do you have 2 more jackstands? I feel perfectly save placing all 4 wheels in the air on solid jackstands and putting it in 4wd at idle, with the front tires off. You will need to bolt the front rotors . down somewhat with 2 lugnuts and some washers each or put the lugnuts on backwards if open on both sides. You are right..with better sound in the video..doesn't sound like u joints..thats a clickety fairly fast like a crushed beercan twisting back and forth. Bad wheel hubs are usually a thumping if you run it in the air...place in N for several seconds to verify wheels are stopped before going into P