Creature85

I have a random screeching noise coming from my 04 WJ. I thought it might have been a sqeeking belt as I knew mine was getting bad, so I changed that and I still get the noise. I usually get the noise once it's been driven for about 10 minutes. I usually hear it during deceluration and sometimes during acceluration around 1500 rpms. Also, any small bumps in the road will make a quick screech noise. It's definitaly coming from underneath my Jeep, and I do have a bent crossmember that is barely making contact with my exhaust pipe. I'm thinking that it could be from the exhaust slighty rubbing against the crossmemeber once the exhaust gets hot and the metal expands. Sounds stupid but it's my best guess. Anyone else have any ideas what this annoying screech could be? It's driving me crazy.

dave1123

The only thing that comes to mind is an idler pulley in the drive belt system. If it's coming from underneath, I haven't a clue.

Creature85

Well I think it's coming from underneath. It's really hard to tell while driving and it doesn't make the noise during idle even when I rev it.

dave1123

Justin, the only thing I can think about is the torque convertor. Try building up torque in drive while holding the brake and see if it screeches then. It's possible the stator in the convertor is at fault. Usually with a blown stator, the truck is a dog on acceleration and may rattle at idle. It's a common GM problem.

Creature85

Tried it this morning, I couldn't reproduce the noise while holding the brake and giving it gas. I drove along a not so busy back road with the windows down and my head out the window and it kind of sounds like it's underneath the front driver side. But again, it's hard to tell when the noise is traveling past you . I'm going to check the pulley system today just in case.

dave1123

You can take the belt off and turn the pulleys by hand and listen and feel the bearings on each one. I had one fail on my ZJ and it had destroyed itself, threw all the ***** out and shucked the belt. $2 at Pick&pull plus a ride from a friend.

Creature85

So I did a little more research and I guess on a lot of Chyslers the idler pulley goes bad after awhile. So I changed it out and the noise is almost completely gone. Now and again I'll hear the noise for a second or two but it's not as pronounced. I'm thinking the pulley on the tensioner might need to be replaced as well. You think that would be a safe assumption?

dave1123

Yup. The problem is it's only a $2 bearing, but you usually can't take them apart to fix them. They aren't heavy duty industrial bearings either. They're probably made in China.

Of course, if they used best quality parts in cars, you wouldn't buy another car.

Creature85

The bearing is indeed made in China. In fact the ones they sell at Napa, Advanced, and Autozone all have the same Chinese made bearing even though they're completely different brands.

dave1123

I've replaced these bearings on older vehicles where you could take them apart and replaced them with Timken bearings from Kamen Bearing (Industrial Supply house, now out of business), but you can try Motion Controls on Taft Road. When using industrial bearings, I never had to replace them again.

I owned a Ducati motorcycle and had to replace the wheel bearings. Ducati wanted $200 for the 5 bearings and shipping from Milan. I bought all 5 from Kamen for $15 and had the bike back together 2 hours after I got home! 13 years of hard trail riding later, they were still good.

Creature85

I've read about people doing it, but it wouldnt really know how to do it myself or what kind of bearings I'd even need. There's a first time for everything though so maybe I'll look into it.

dave1123

Let me tell you about the guys on the counter in these places. I needed a front shaft bearing for a GM alternator. I walked in and laid it on the counter. The guy said "motor bearing?" I said "GM alternator". He said "303" and was back in about 30 seconds! I'm sure that if you can get it apart, they can help you. I had to replace some gear shaft bearings in a Spanish-made milling machine. These had USSR and Hungary stamped on them. The guys at Kamen said they didn't have them but they were sure they could get me going again. They found bearings the same shaft size with mounting spacers to make them work. The "Big Guy" came over and asked me if he could have the old ones and I asked why. He said "We want them for our showcase of ones we couldn't match." I told him I would bring them back as soon as I got the machine up and running.

From that day forward, anytime I had to get something for my company, they knew me by name. I even got special discounts for my own stuff. Unfortunately, they either went out of business or were bought out.

peter5761

Are your brake pads worn? as the sound could be the worn pad hitting the disc .

Creature85

Yes actually. I considered it a possibility but they don't screech when I brake and the noise I'm getting is only during acceleration and deceleration (without braking) when the rpms are around 15000. I'll be doing my brakes soon so I'll see if the noise disappears.

dave1123

I'm sure that was an error of magnitude. I don't think your jeep would live at 15000 rpm! I have a weird sound in my WJ that was driving me nuts. One cold startup, there is a constant clicking going on under my hood. I finally traced it down to the canister purge solenoid. They tell me it's normal, but I never heard it on my ZJ.

One other thing your noise could be is the A/C pulley bearing.