It could be the solenoid that controls the fuel system's vapor canister purge line. The solenoid is mounted on the drivers side inner-fender, next to the air filter housing. My '97 had a random clicking at idle, and a steady, more pronounced clicking under acceleration. The solenoid/switch was replaced, and there is an up-dated mounting bracket that better cancels out the vibrations. It cured the problem, but I'm finicky about noises. You might not want to pay to get rid of an issue that most people say doesn't affect drive-ability. To check if this is your cause, unplug the connector and test drive vehicle. If the clicking doesn't stop, Next guess would be a CV/universal joint in front drive-shaft or in front axle CV/universal joints.

 

thanks blue will try those couple things see what happens and will let ya know

 

a bad cv will typically only click when turning,the duty purge solenoid can quick quite loud but it would not be only under load,and since you say it's only under i would say that narrows it down to an exhaust/manifold leak,lifter,possibly piston slap,fuel injectors believe or not can also make that noise. Pop the hood and give it throttle by hand see if you can hear it

 

i agree Seed that a leaking exhaust manifold or maybe a cracked one would make the sound of clicking. the under power thing sure sounds perfect for it.

 

Small leaks in the exhaust around the manifold or in the downpipe cause a ticking that sounds a lot like lifter or valve train noise, but are very prominent when accelerating. If it's lifter noise, it will most likely make the ticking sound all the time. I used a bottle of STP oil treatment in my 4.0 on the last oil change, and it quiets down the 4.0's noises quite a bit, and it also contains the addative (ZDDP) that has been removed from regular motor oils that protects the cam and lifters from wear.

-UT-

 

aaah...i think it might have something to do with the exhaust too because when sitting idling and have a mean vibration or rattle comming from my exhaust maybe i will start tinkering there before gettin into anything complex

 

I would start with looking at all your u-joints including the front axle Greese them & see if the noise changes or even goes away

 

might have found my click there is a heat barrier above the muffler attached to the floor that has half let go and is vibrating and rattling against the muffler just gotta get a power drill and bolt it back up there will let ya know if that fixes it

 

[QUOTE=ol"blue;153896]It could be the solenoid that controls the fuel system's vapor canister purge line. The solenoid is mounted on the drivers side inner-fender, next to the air filter housing. My '97 had a random clicking at idle, and a steady, more pronounced clicking under acceleration. The solenoid/switch was replaced, and there is an up-dated mounting bracket that better cancels out the vibrations. It cured the problem, but I'm finicky about noises. You might not want to pay to get rid of an issue that most people say doesn't affect drive-ability. To check if this is your cause, unplug the connector and test drive vehicle. If the clicking doesn't stop, Next guess would be a CV/universal joint in front drive-shaft or in front axle CV/universal joints.[/QUOTE



if they say the ticking is fine.. and they all tick. where can i find a new updated bracket to cancell out the noise.. i am very finicky about noises too.! haha any like or help would be great. thanks!