Hey all. I was out driving and saw a few rocks that I wanted to just drive on since they weren't so big. I got ontop of them just fine but now I've got a rotational knocking sound in what sounds like the passenger side of my front axle. Everything looks normal from looking at it, I'll get picture of the axle near the wheel incase I'm not seeing something. I also had to recenter my steering wheel afterwards, but that was simple and had no issues doing that. The sound happens whether I am speeding up, slowing down, cruising, speeding.. Drives fine and everything feels normal, I just hear a knocking sound up there. Any ideas of what it could be?


Here's a couple pictures just cause. They're just a little edited

 

Probably a ujoint on the passenger side, it happens and they aren't terrible to replace.

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What would cause it to be knocking like that? But thanks, I'll look into that

 

That's just the noise it makes as the axle shaft rotates (as you mentioned- speeding up, slowing down, cruising, etc). If you search for squeaking birds, angry sparrows, etc- you should be able to find some more info on what it sounds like, feels like, etc.

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So its ok to ride on for a bit if that is the cause of the noise? I have a wheeling trip this weekend.

 

50/50

When they start chirping its best to swap em out or knocking....
I'd swap it before you go or bring a spare axle shaft, the if it goes swap it out....if it doesn't then swap it when you get back....

 

I know someone who put a shit-ton of miles on there's with them chirping, but I would agree- the sooner the better.

If you get the u-joint tool (front axle service kit) from harbor freight it can expedite the process. The guys at the service center I frequent (for other vehicles of course) suggested setting the caps in the freezer to make them a little easier to slide in.

Make sure you pull the retainer clips from the u-joints first....otherwise you'll break the caps and then you're in for a special kind of hell that sucks- ask me how I know.

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probably just one missing u joint cap. Luckily its a cheap fix. If you have the resources, tack weld the new bearing cap to the axle ears. It will help prevent loosing another

 

another thing you may want to check is that after you re-centered your steering wheel, the bolts on the drag link might be making contact with the tie rod or something else. makes for a nice clunking sound.

 

Well looking at it I don't see any caps missing or any cracks in the joint it all looks normal. Pics coming soon