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Jeep makes a clicking or slacked chain clattering noise

40K views 51 replies 12 participants last post by  petercass88 
#1 · (Edited)
Hi, I have a 1994 Jeep Wrangler YJ 4.0L and it has started to make a clicking noise. It is similar to when you would put a card in your bike spokes to produce that repetitive noise, but more on the level of maybe metal clattering. To me it sounds like that or a chain that is slacked and is hitting metal tabs repeatedly. This all started when I was making a trip up to pinecrest, ca from the valley, It was a really hot day high 90's. I was about more than half way there and while the engine was under load going uphill, while accelerating the noise started really loudly with the gas pedal pressed. I immediately pulled over and decided to limp back home, while trying to accelerate very little. This made the noise less likely to happen, but when I needed to accelerate it would do it again. (55mph and up) When I reached town the noise wouldn't do it at all at local speeds. (35mph max) So when I reached home, I checked all fluids in the engine bay and the transfer case which were all clean. I haven't checked my differential fluid yet though. After this I let my jeep rest and took it out later that day to reach the speeds that produced those noises 55mph and up with acceleration on a flat road with optimal temperature. This didn't produce the noise at all, so I thought that it was just something that may have just been minimal and corrected itself, which I know that is highly unlikely. After that I've been driving in town fine, while staying away from the mountains. But over time these past few weeks the noise is coming back at local town speeds, 35mph while accelerating more commonly. I can't seem to figure it out, it happens while accelerating and comes and goes. for example one day it might not do it at all or at least once. Other times it may do it more often while driving. Today 5/22/2013, it did it multiple times accelerating, not as loud because of the speed difference compared to the mountains but still its there. I decided to come to the forum because everyone on here is super helpful and shares there compassion for jeeps as do I.

1994 Jeep Wrangler 4.0L Auto
The transmission has been rebuilt twice. (Once with previous owner and then secondly I had got it rebuilt)
33" Mud Terrain Tires
Front Axle: Stock
Back Axle: Mostly stock but has chromly alloy usa axle shafts
4" Lift, I'm pretty sure its rough country it contains white shocks with black boots, so I'm unsure about that.
The Drive shaft is stock.
So basically everything else is stock.

I have pictures of my jeep on my facebook if that helps at all, the ones on here are when I first bought it and quite a bit had changed in appearance.
https://www.facebook.com/dillonrcain

I can also put them on here if needed and additional information if need be.

Thank You! :)
 
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#48 ·
I just got online to see about a noise my jeep started making and this thread was at the tippy top of the YJ forum describing exactly the noise my rig is making. Love it when that happens...lol. Im gonna go investigate the linkage issue and see what I come up with. Ive noticed that is does not make the noise in park so the loose linkage deal makes sense.
 
#50 ·
Could someone take a picture of the shift linkage? I have the 2.5L 5 speed and I am hearing the same sound. Its really weird because the jeep has just been sitting for almost 2 months while I did a color swap.
 
#52 ·
duh.... that was dumb of me... lol! I should have known better considering i just fixed a shift linkage on a Ramcharger. I have 2 noises though. The slack chain as stated above as well as a very audible metal on metal clank coming from the drivers side. It appeared to be loud enough to echo off the houses as i rolled by.... eek... I will have to get under it tomorrow but my exhaust used to rub against the front driveshaft. I wonder if it is back against it again. Or maybe a bad U-Joint which seems odd since the jeep has been sitting for 2 months while i slowly do a color swap.
 
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