ZaKingHunter

Leaving the bank's parking lot today I heard a strange clicking and popping noise coming from the front of my jeep. I'm thinking the joint for the wheel. Seems to come from the driver's side only. Parked it at home and had my brother turn the wheel from lock to lock several times and heard something pop or click slightly (single noise when not moving) but wasn't able to pinpoint what it was exactly. If the wonderful and wise XJ'ers on this site could offer their insights, I'd appreciate it. The knowledge I have of car stuff wouldn't fill a thimble.

TIA.

Ogre in KS

More than likely the u-joint, but check to make sure your tie rod and all your steering stuff is tight, just grab it and try to make it move it shouldn't move at all, any of it., you can reach behind the tire/wheel/brakes and grab the u joint and see if it has any play in it also, if it does replace it.

TrekkerJmm

Also check to see if the steering box is loose or the frame is cracked (common problem on XJ's) by the PS box...Tj

ZaKingHunter

Everything checked out except the u-joint on the passenger side. there's some play there. Hopefully that's the culprit. Knowing that needs to be replaced, might as well do the driver side one right away too.

Is this the part I need to get?
http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_Universal-Joint-Neapco_5270057-P_17_R|GRPUCVSAMS_634130161___

ZaKingHunter

Could it also be a front hub bearing that would cause the noise?

That Jeep Guy XJMJ

... it may be the wheel bearing (front hub), But it is more like the front U-joint than it is the wheel bearing, but that's simple to check to find out.. . just lift up the front side at concern with a jack. and try to wiggle the tire..... not side to side like your turning but vertically.... if its has slop then check your lugs and try again, if your lugs are tight and you have tire slop Vertically then your wheel bearing is also bad or going bad (depending on how much slop off course)

ZaKingHunter

Thanks for the info. I'll check things out again when there's daylight.

Jeep89JV

Make sure the front shaft 36mm nuts are tight while you're at it. Though i'd say what many already have said, its either a ujoint and if not that the hub(s).

ZaKingHunter

Yep. It's the u-joints. Both sides are shot. Mechanic is gonna do it for $200 per side. Is it really a 4 hour job?

mopar440

Movement in this test could also be ball joints... which in turn could be making the noise... my advice: take the XJ to an alignment shop and have them do a quick check for worn parts... they will usually do it for free, in anticipation of doing the replacement work... if they can pin it down for ya, tell 'em you'll be back on payday, and go from there... at least you will know what is wrong... then you can shop for the best/cheapest repair route...

PolarXJ

It can be if thinks go bad. The unit bearing have a tendency to be seized onto the outer knuckle due to rust and can be a pain in the but to get off.

xjoffroad

do it yourself! its a very simple job and there's no way in hell I would pay someone $200 a side to do it. search here and NAXJA and I'm sure you will find a full write up on it.

ZaKingHunter

I very well would attempt to do the fix myself but the guy who's shop I had access to didn't make his rent payments and now I don't have a place to do much work.

xjoffroad

you can do it with basic hand tools in a apartment complex parking lot

projectmayhem

xjoffroad seems like my kinda person ive installed alot of random things in parking lots you always have a story afterwards