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Knocking noise underneath?

15K views 13 replies 10 participants last post by  Water Dog 
#1 ·
I have a Knocking noise when I first take off forward or in reverse. It only knocks once when I first start moving.Could that me my U Joints? what else could it be?
thanks!
 
#2 ·
Well, It sounds like it might be one of the u-joints on yours (my old YJ did the same). My '05 TJ just started knocking in the front passenger side, Im thinking its the u-joint but it seems solid with no play when I looked at it.
 
#4 ·
is it like a rattle? my 4wd linkage bushing was shot, and pulling out made it rattle real bad and vibrate through the shifter. If you crawl under the jeep and try to wiggle the bar that goes across at the 4wd shifter and it rattles...well that would be it. Just an idea.
 
#6 ·
can you feel it under your feet in the drivers side? If so it's probably the shifter linkage. Very easy fix. Did this to my 06' in about 30 minutes and solved the problem. If not check your u joints for play. The shifter linkage costs $20 from the dealership part # 05014148-AA. It's very common, there was a TSB issued for it in 98.
 
#7 ·
Check your trackbar bolts and control bolts first, then check the u-joints.

Physically grab them and try to move to see if there's excess play in them, looking at them will not tell you much.

As for u-joints I typically use Spicer or Napa precision joints, they are better quality then the AZ joints, unless AZ carries them, which around here they never do.

Chris
 
#8 ·
Had the same issue... Was told to check for play and I did. I shook them and didn't notice any play at all so I thought must be something else. I spend days checking this and that and hours on forums researching what to try next.

Finally someone suggested that I remove the front driveshift, if the noise goes away while driving, bingo... It did. Removing the front drive shaft is very simple to do and you can drive it that way as long as you like you just won't have 4wheel drive. Rebuilding the front drive is also an easy task and like mentioned above doesn't cost much. I agree, stick with Spicer U-joints. You can do a search and find numerous write ups on how to.

I was also told you can remove the rear drive shift and drive in 4wheel drive to check the rear. Of course you will only have front wheel drive but it will eliminate that as the issue.
 
#9 ·
If you remove the rear to check, just be careful driving in 4wd with the front on dry pavement... it will be hard to turn and will probably feel the u-joints feel like they are binding.

Chris
 
#12 ·
Idk it that is normal or not, but my 96 xj has been doing this since I got it in 05 and it has never caused any sort of problem. It still shits in 4wd fine and has never given me an issue other than making me worried every once in a while! ine doesn't do it all the time. in fact I would be willing to say that mine does it once every 40 times I take off! maybe it's not the same problem?
 
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