jwiddy77

Hello couple weeks ago my 2001 grand Cherokee 4.0L 4x4 started making a soft clicking sound from front wheels in 2x4 have not tried it in 4x4 to see if it still makes the sound. Sounds like baseball card in the spokes of a bike. Nothing stuck in tires. Sound is getting a bit louder and speed of clicking does correspond with speed of tires and slows as I stop. Click click click click..click..click..click. now I am noticing a decent amount of rusty dust on front rims, both sides. Makes sound going straight and turning. No clunking or grinding noises that I've noticed so far. Brakes r good. Could this possibly be wheel bearing or u joint? And if I get the hub assembly does it also include a u joint with it? Thanks so much for any advice.

ol"blue

Welcome to CF. If it has a lot of brake dust on the wheels, your pad wear indicators may be the noise you're hearing. Check the condition of the brakes, even though you say "it has good brakes".

This will tell you how to test/replace the front wheel/hub bearings. http://go.jeep-xj.info/HowtoHubReplacement.htm

No, u-joints aren't included with a new hub bearing. They are part of the axle assembly. (You'll see that in the above repair link).

Good luck.

jwiddy77

Thank you for the reply I appreciate it. I will look into the brakes would b nice if that's all it is. Have appointment in 2 wks with my mechanic will post what it ends up being.

ol"blue

It could also be the u-joint/CV joint in the axle at the hub bearing.
If it has the CV joint, check for a torn/damaged boot that would allow the grease to get out-dirt/debris to get in.
If it has the u-joints, check for any play in them.

caged

x2 on the CV

fzeaman85

noise while turning sounds like the transaxle. with mine driving ahead, it stops when I put it in all wheel drive. That tends to rule out a wheel bearing and something worn with the locking hub. More of a tacking noise. tack tack tack and heard best around 5 mph.

dave1123

If you've got a jeep, you don't have a transaxle or locking hubs. It could be an axle CV joint, however.

fzeaman85

I do have a solid front axle on the 2004 grand cherokee. I see the CV or universal joints at the wheel hub. (inside the boots of course and I assume the same design as the rear drive shaft ) Have you any idea why would engaging AWD would quiet the tapping?
Also, you must be right about no auto lockers because the 4.0 gets poor milage. Simpler but a milage hit.
Fritz