Jacob Blankenship

Hey everyone,

I have a

• 1995 Jeep Cherokee XJ
• 2WD
• 4.0L
• Automatic
• Stock 200k+ miles

My question — I am having a popping noise when I make left and right turns on my daily drives. I hear it more on the driver side and happens a lot when I make left turns. It’ll pop on right turns too (same side), but not as bad or as much and I kinda hear a faint pop noise on passenger side too when I do the right turns.

The only thing I’ve replaced so far has been the steering box and noise still occurs.

I also have a noise when the Jeep is running. It’s like a squealing ghost-like howling noise. When Jeep is idling it’ll make this noise but when I press on the gas that noise will go away. This noise mostly happens when I first start the vehicle and sometimes at stops here and there, so it’s random.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

BruceB

A large factor in direction of information is whether your Jeep is a 4 wheel drive or not.

Jacob Blankenship

It’s 2WD. I’ll edit the original post my bad

BruceB

no worries.....
why did you replace your steering box? Was it chasing the popping noise?

I would suggest putting the front up on stands and see if you can recreate the popping noise by turning the steering wheel back and forth. If that doesn't work, then take a look at the tie rods, drag link, and other steering linkage.

While on the jack stands, check for play in the ball joints and wheel hubs by putting a pry bar under the tire and lifting.

When was the last front brakes replaced?

Saudade

Check your track bar. Especially the bracket on the inner fender well, driver's side.

Jacob Blankenship

yes, it was chasing the popping noise. When I was looking for the sound my steering box would make a noise every time I wiggle my steering wheel
left and right while in PARK. the new one now doesn’t make any of that noise.

we did put the Jeep on stands to see if we can recreate the popping noise and I can’t hear it when it’s on stands. Just when it’s on the ground moving and turning. I’ll have to take a look at the tie rods, drag link and other steering linkage

I’ll also check the ball joints and wheel hubs next time.

it’s been probably 2-3 years since the front brakes have been replaced and also the brakes makes screech noise when I press on the brake

Jacob Blankenship

I’ll give it a look next time. Also I’ve been driving it like this for a couple of weeks so I just want to solve this problem before something breaks

Jacob Blankenship

Here's photos if you can see anything better than I can.

BruceB

Doing some research on this, it seems the most common is the front bolts on the lower control arm need to be re torqued.
Also I notice that in the last picture the rubber is eroded and cracked. If the front steering linkage and suspension hasn't been done in 20 years or so, it might be time to address it...
Try the lower control arm bolts first...see what that does...

poni

Another common source of a single clunk or pop on acceleration is upper control arm bushings. If they’re old and soft that could be your issue. Mine were toast and it was a single loud clunk every time I started to drive.