Hi, I have a 97 TJ. Love it, drive it, drop it off stuff - but now I
have a REALLY annoying squeaking sound from under the front left wheel
arch area which has eluded 2 "Specialist" Jeep shops and some good
mechanic mates of mine. I have spent $2500 getting bits replaced and
bits greased and bits taken off and put back on again, all to no
avail. The tricky bit? It will go away for a day after any work is
done which means it's always returned with a smile from the workshop,
only to chirp up again the next day. It's a high pitched, almost
cyclic squeak (think rusty bed springs at a brothel!) which starts
around 30kph and gets faster as the truck does. It doesn't happen
uphill or in the oomph stage of acceleration (when the weight is
pushed backwards) - but downhill, flat road and off the
accelerator/cruising brings it on. Clutch in or out makes no
difference; steering is fine; braking performance is fine (pads
replaced); doesn't seem to do it whilst rock-crawling or very slow
off-road work (body twist may stop it?). I have Rancho 9000s all
round, some aftermarket 'square' trailing arms (unidentified brand)
and have been assured that it's not bearings (I had a new set
fitted!), sway bars, or any of the usual suspension suspects. Could
the Ranchos develop that kind of squeak, I'm just guessing now! I'm
out of ideas and hope someone has had this before and has a solution.
Summer's coming here in Sydney, I need to drop the top, but the squeak
kills me! Massive thanx for any advice. Casperbloke

 

I had a 'cyclic' squeek that sounded like rusty bed springs. Someone, in
this group, said "angry canary" and that was it exactly. Noise would come
and go. Installed a new centering kit in my double-cardan joint on the front
driveshaft and that took care of it.

HTH
--
Ray

o_o_o_o
/| ,[_____],
|ŻŻŻL --O|||||||O-
()_)Ż()_) AC9H )_)

"casperbloke" <casperandkimba@bigpond.com> wrote in message
news:51319347.0411010323.1df19467@posting.google.c om...
> Hi, I have a 97 TJ. Love it, drive it, drop it off stuff - but now I
> have a REALLY annoying squeaking sound from under the front left wheel
> arch area which has eluded 2 "Specialist" Jeep shops and some good
> mechanic mates of mine. I have spent $2500 getting bits replaced and
> bits greased and bits taken off and put back on again, all to no
> avail. The tricky bit? It will go away for a day after any work is
> done which means it's always returned with a smile from the workshop,
> only to chirp up again the next day. It's a high pitched, almost
> cyclic squeak (think rusty bed springs at a brothel!) which starts
> around 30kph and gets faster as the truck does. It doesn't happen
> uphill or in the oomph stage of acceleration (when the weight is
> pushed backwards) - but downhill, flat road and off the
> accelerator/cruising brings it on. Clutch in or out makes no
> difference; steering is fine; braking performance is fine (pads
> replaced); doesn't seem to do it whilst rock-crawling or very slow
> off-road work (body twist may stop it?). I have Rancho 9000s all
> round, some aftermarket 'square' trailing arms (unidentified brand)
> and have been assured that it's not bearings (I had a new set
> fitted!), sway bars, or any of the usual suspension suspects. Could
> the Ranchos develop that kind of squeak, I'm just guessing now! I'm
> out of ideas and hope someone has had this before and has a solution.
> Summer's coming here in Sydney, I need to drop the top, but the squeak
> kills me! Massive thanx for any advice. Casperbloke

 

I had a 'cyclic' squeek that sounded like rusty bed springs. Someone, in
this group, said "angry canary" and that was it exactly. Noise would come
and go. Installed a new centering kit in my double-cardan joint on the front
driveshaft and that took care of it.

HTH
--
Ray

o_o_o_o
/| ,[_____],
|ŻŻŻL --O|||||||O-
()_)Ż()_) AC9H )_)

"casperbloke" <casperandkimba@bigpond.com> wrote in message
news:51319347.0411010323.1df19467@posting.google.c om...
> Hi, I have a 97 TJ. Love it, drive it, drop it off stuff - but now I
> have a REALLY annoying squeaking sound from under the front left wheel
> arch area which has eluded 2 "Specialist" Jeep shops and some good
> mechanic mates of mine. I have spent $2500 getting bits replaced and
> bits greased and bits taken off and put back on again, all to no
> avail. The tricky bit? It will go away for a day after any work is
> done which means it's always returned with a smile from the workshop,
> only to chirp up again the next day. It's a high pitched, almost
> cyclic squeak (think rusty bed springs at a brothel!) which starts
> around 30kph and gets faster as the truck does. It doesn't happen
> uphill or in the oomph stage of acceleration (when the weight is
> pushed backwards) - but downhill, flat road and off the
> accelerator/cruising brings it on. Clutch in or out makes no
> difference; steering is fine; braking performance is fine (pads
> replaced); doesn't seem to do it whilst rock-crawling or very slow
> off-road work (body twist may stop it?). I have Rancho 9000s all
> round, some aftermarket 'square' trailing arms (unidentified brand)
> and have been assured that it's not bearings (I had a new set
> fitted!), sway bars, or any of the usual suspension suspects. Could
> the Ranchos develop that kind of squeak, I'm just guessing now! I'm
> out of ideas and hope someone has had this before and has a solution.
> Summer's coming here in Sydney, I need to drop the top, but the squeak
> kills me! Massive thanx for any advice. Casperbloke

 

I had a 'cyclic' squeek that sounded like rusty bed springs. Someone, in
this group, said "angry canary" and that was it exactly. Noise would come
and go. Installed a new centering kit in my double-cardan joint on the front
driveshaft and that took care of it.

HTH
--
Ray

o_o_o_o
/| ,[_____],
|ŻŻŻL --O|||||||O-
()_)Ż()_) AC9H )_)

"casperbloke" <casperandkimba@bigpond.com> wrote in message
news:51319347.0411010323.1df19467@posting.google.c om...
> Hi, I have a 97 TJ. Love it, drive it, drop it off stuff - but now I
> have a REALLY annoying squeaking sound from under the front left wheel
> arch area which has eluded 2 "Specialist" Jeep shops and some good
> mechanic mates of mine. I have spent $2500 getting bits replaced and
> bits greased and bits taken off and put back on again, all to no
> avail. The tricky bit? It will go away for a day after any work is
> done which means it's always returned with a smile from the workshop,
> only to chirp up again the next day. It's a high pitched, almost
> cyclic squeak (think rusty bed springs at a brothel!) which starts
> around 30kph and gets faster as the truck does. It doesn't happen
> uphill or in the oomph stage of acceleration (when the weight is
> pushed backwards) - but downhill, flat road and off the
> accelerator/cruising brings it on. Clutch in or out makes no
> difference; steering is fine; braking performance is fine (pads
> replaced); doesn't seem to do it whilst rock-crawling or very slow
> off-road work (body twist may stop it?). I have Rancho 9000s all
> round, some aftermarket 'square' trailing arms (unidentified brand)
> and have been assured that it's not bearings (I had a new set
> fitted!), sway bars, or any of the usual suspension suspects. Could
> the Ranchos develop that kind of squeak, I'm just guessing now! I'm
> out of ideas and hope someone has had this before and has a solution.
> Summer's coming here in Sydney, I need to drop the top, but the squeak
> kills me! Massive thanx for any advice. Casperbloke

 

The new Jeeps have u-joints that you can't grease. If you run in any
water deeper than the axle, the front axle u-joints will get
contaminated with water. They then can squeak for a while before
finally blowing out.

I would be jacking up each front wheel and giving the u-joint a close
inspection with the wheel turned so you can get at it. Look for even
the slightest rust stain at the edge of each bearing cup on the
u-joint. If you find a stain, I would suspect that joint for the noise.

Those stupid 'heavy duty' non grease u-joints only last me a year or so
up here in Canada because of all the water crossings and mud on our
trails. I use ones I can grease now....

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's

casperbloke wrote:
>
> Hi, I have a 97 TJ. Love it, drive it, drop it off stuff - but now I
> have a REALLY annoying squeaking sound from under the front left wheel
> arch area which has eluded 2 "Specialist" Jeep shops and some good
> mechanic mates of mine. I have spent $2500 getting bits replaced and
> bits greased and bits taken off and put back on again, all to no
> avail. The tricky bit? It will go away for a day after any work is
> done which means it's always returned with a smile from the workshop,
> only to chirp up again the next day. It's a high pitched, almost
> cyclic squeak (think rusty bed springs at a brothel!) which starts
> around 30kph and gets faster as the truck does. It doesn't happen
> uphill or in the oomph stage of acceleration (when the weight is
> pushed backwards) - but downhill, flat road and off the
> accelerator/cruising brings it on. Clutch in or out makes no
> difference; steering is fine; braking performance is fine (pads
> replaced); doesn't seem to do it whilst rock-crawling or very slow
> off-road work (body twist may stop it?). I have Rancho 9000s all
> round, some aftermarket 'square' trailing arms (unidentified brand)
> and have been assured that it's not bearings (I had a new set
> fitted!), sway bars, or any of the usual suspension suspects. Could
> the Ranchos develop that kind of squeak, I'm just guessing now! I'm
> out of ideas and hope someone has had this before and has a solution.
> Summer's coming here in Sydney, I need to drop the top, but the squeak
> kills me! Massive thanx for any advice. Casperbloke

 

The new Jeeps have u-joints that you can't grease. If you run in any
water deeper than the axle, the front axle u-joints will get
contaminated with water. They then can squeak for a while before
finally blowing out.

I would be jacking up each front wheel and giving the u-joint a close
inspection with the wheel turned so you can get at it. Look for even
the slightest rust stain at the edge of each bearing cup on the
u-joint. If you find a stain, I would suspect that joint for the noise.

Those stupid 'heavy duty' non grease u-joints only last me a year or so
up here in Canada because of all the water crossings and mud on our
trails. I use ones I can grease now....

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's

casperbloke wrote:
>
> Hi, I have a 97 TJ. Love it, drive it, drop it off stuff - but now I
> have a REALLY annoying squeaking sound from under the front left wheel
> arch area which has eluded 2 "Specialist" Jeep shops and some good
> mechanic mates of mine. I have spent $2500 getting bits replaced and
> bits greased and bits taken off and put back on again, all to no
> avail. The tricky bit? It will go away for a day after any work is
> done which means it's always returned with a smile from the workshop,
> only to chirp up again the next day. It's a high pitched, almost
> cyclic squeak (think rusty bed springs at a brothel!) which starts
> around 30kph and gets faster as the truck does. It doesn't happen
> uphill or in the oomph stage of acceleration (when the weight is
> pushed backwards) - but downhill, flat road and off the
> accelerator/cruising brings it on. Clutch in or out makes no
> difference; steering is fine; braking performance is fine (pads
> replaced); doesn't seem to do it whilst rock-crawling or very slow
> off-road work (body twist may stop it?). I have Rancho 9000s all
> round, some aftermarket 'square' trailing arms (unidentified brand)
> and have been assured that it's not bearings (I had a new set
> fitted!), sway bars, or any of the usual suspension suspects. Could
> the Ranchos develop that kind of squeak, I'm just guessing now! I'm
> out of ideas and hope someone has had this before and has a solution.
> Summer's coming here in Sydney, I need to drop the top, but the squeak
> kills me! Massive thanx for any advice. Casperbloke

 

The new Jeeps have u-joints that you can't grease. If you run in any
water deeper than the axle, the front axle u-joints will get
contaminated with water. They then can squeak for a while before
finally blowing out.

I would be jacking up each front wheel and giving the u-joint a close
inspection with the wheel turned so you can get at it. Look for even
the slightest rust stain at the edge of each bearing cup on the
u-joint. If you find a stain, I would suspect that joint for the noise.

Those stupid 'heavy duty' non grease u-joints only last me a year or so
up here in Canada because of all the water crossings and mud on our
trails. I use ones I can grease now....

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's

casperbloke wrote:
>
> Hi, I have a 97 TJ. Love it, drive it, drop it off stuff - but now I
> have a REALLY annoying squeaking sound from under the front left wheel
> arch area which has eluded 2 "Specialist" Jeep shops and some good
> mechanic mates of mine. I have spent $2500 getting bits replaced and
> bits greased and bits taken off and put back on again, all to no
> avail. The tricky bit? It will go away for a day after any work is
> done which means it's always returned with a smile from the workshop,
> only to chirp up again the next day. It's a high pitched, almost
> cyclic squeak (think rusty bed springs at a brothel!) which starts
> around 30kph and gets faster as the truck does. It doesn't happen
> uphill or in the oomph stage of acceleration (when the weight is
> pushed backwards) - but downhill, flat road and off the
> accelerator/cruising brings it on. Clutch in or out makes no
> difference; steering is fine; braking performance is fine (pads
> replaced); doesn't seem to do it whilst rock-crawling or very slow
> off-road work (body twist may stop it?). I have Rancho 9000s all
> round, some aftermarket 'square' trailing arms (unidentified brand)
> and have been assured that it's not bearings (I had a new set
> fitted!), sway bars, or any of the usual suspension suspects. Could
> the Ranchos develop that kind of squeak, I'm just guessing now! I'm
> out of ideas and hope someone has had this before and has a solution.
> Summer's coming here in Sydney, I need to drop the top, but the squeak
> kills me! Massive thanx for any advice. Casperbloke

 

Same issue with me and I also went a step further. I installed some
Drivetrain Direct Dana 30 Mud Seals on my front axel ('01 TJ). They are
greaseable and so far keep water and mud out of my axel tubes.

Andy

"Mike Romain" <romainm@sympatico.ca> wrote in message
news:41864674.42B4E491@sympatico.ca...
> The new Jeeps have u-joints that you can't grease. If you run in any
> water deeper than the axle, the front axle u-joints will get
> contaminated with water. They then can squeak for a while before
> finally blowing out.
>
> I would be jacking up each front wheel and giving the u-joint a close
> inspection with the wheel turned so you can get at it. Look for even
> the slightest rust stain at the edge of each bearing cup on the
> u-joint. If you find a stain, I would suspect that joint for the noise.
>
> Those stupid 'heavy duty' non grease u-joints only last me a year or so
> up here in Canada because of all the water crossings and mud on our
> trails. I use ones I can grease now....
>
> Mike
> 86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
> 88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's
>
> casperbloke wrote:
>>
>> Hi, I have a 97 TJ. Love it, drive it, drop it off stuff - but now I
>> have a REALLY annoying squeaking sound from under the front left wheel
>> arch area which has eluded 2 "Specialist" Jeep shops and some good
>> mechanic mates of mine. I have spent $2500 getting bits replaced and
>> bits greased and bits taken off and put back on again, all to no
>> avail. The tricky bit? It will go away for a day after any work is
>> done which means it's always returned with a smile from the workshop,
>> only to chirp up again the next day. It's a high pitched, almost
>> cyclic squeak (think rusty bed springs at a brothel!) which starts
>> around 30kph and gets faster as the truck does. It doesn't happen
>> uphill or in the oomph stage of acceleration (when the weight is
>> pushed backwards) - but downhill, flat road and off the
>> accelerator/cruising brings it on. Clutch in or out makes no
>> difference; steering is fine; braking performance is fine (pads
>> replaced); doesn't seem to do it whilst rock-crawling or very slow
>> off-road work (body twist may stop it?). I have Rancho 9000s all
>> round, some aftermarket 'square' trailing arms (unidentified brand)
>> and have been assured that it's not bearings (I had a new set
>> fitted!), sway bars, or any of the usual suspension suspects. Could
>> the Ranchos develop that kind of squeak, I'm just guessing now! I'm
>> out of ideas and hope someone has had this before and has a solution.
>> Summer's coming here in Sydney, I need to drop the top, but the squeak
>> kills me! Massive thanx for any advice. Casperbloke

 

Same issue with me and I also went a step further. I installed some
Drivetrain Direct Dana 30 Mud Seals on my front axel ('01 TJ). They are
greaseable and so far keep water and mud out of my axel tubes.

Andy

"Mike Romain" <romainm@sympatico.ca> wrote in message
news:41864674.42B4E491@sympatico.ca...
> The new Jeeps have u-joints that you can't grease. If you run in any
> water deeper than the axle, the front axle u-joints will get
> contaminated with water. They then can squeak for a while before
> finally blowing out.
>
> I would be jacking up each front wheel and giving the u-joint a close
> inspection with the wheel turned so you can get at it. Look for even
> the slightest rust stain at the edge of each bearing cup on the
> u-joint. If you find a stain, I would suspect that joint for the noise.
>
> Those stupid 'heavy duty' non grease u-joints only last me a year or so
> up here in Canada because of all the water crossings and mud on our
> trails. I use ones I can grease now....
>
> Mike
> 86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
> 88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's
>
> casperbloke wrote:
>>
>> Hi, I have a 97 TJ. Love it, drive it, drop it off stuff - but now I
>> have a REALLY annoying squeaking sound from under the front left wheel
>> arch area which has eluded 2 "Specialist" Jeep shops and some good
>> mechanic mates of mine. I have spent $2500 getting bits replaced and
>> bits greased and bits taken off and put back on again, all to no
>> avail. The tricky bit? It will go away for a day after any work is
>> done which means it's always returned with a smile from the workshop,
>> only to chirp up again the next day. It's a high pitched, almost
>> cyclic squeak (think rusty bed springs at a brothel!) which starts
>> around 30kph and gets faster as the truck does. It doesn't happen
>> uphill or in the oomph stage of acceleration (when the weight is
>> pushed backwards) - but downhill, flat road and off the
>> accelerator/cruising brings it on. Clutch in or out makes no
>> difference; steering is fine; braking performance is fine (pads
>> replaced); doesn't seem to do it whilst rock-crawling or very slow
>> off-road work (body twist may stop it?). I have Rancho 9000s all
>> round, some aftermarket 'square' trailing arms (unidentified brand)
>> and have been assured that it's not bearings (I had a new set
>> fitted!), sway bars, or any of the usual suspension suspects. Could
>> the Ranchos develop that kind of squeak, I'm just guessing now! I'm
>> out of ideas and hope someone has had this before and has a solution.
>> Summer's coming here in Sydney, I need to drop the top, but the squeak
>> kills me! Massive thanx for any advice. Casperbloke

 

Same issue with me and I also went a step further. I installed some
Drivetrain Direct Dana 30 Mud Seals on my front axel ('01 TJ). They are
greaseable and so far keep water and mud out of my axel tubes.

Andy

"Mike Romain" <romainm@sympatico.ca> wrote in message
news:41864674.42B4E491@sympatico.ca...
> The new Jeeps have u-joints that you can't grease. If you run in any
> water deeper than the axle, the front axle u-joints will get
> contaminated with water. They then can squeak for a while before
> finally blowing out.
>
> I would be jacking up each front wheel and giving the u-joint a close
> inspection with the wheel turned so you can get at it. Look for even
> the slightest rust stain at the edge of each bearing cup on the
> u-joint. If you find a stain, I would suspect that joint for the noise.
>
> Those stupid 'heavy duty' non grease u-joints only last me a year or so
> up here in Canada because of all the water crossings and mud on our
> trails. I use ones I can grease now....
>
> Mike
> 86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
> 88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's
>
> casperbloke wrote:
>>
>> Hi, I have a 97 TJ. Love it, drive it, drop it off stuff - but now I
>> have a REALLY annoying squeaking sound from under the front left wheel
>> arch area which has eluded 2 "Specialist" Jeep shops and some good
>> mechanic mates of mine. I have spent $2500 getting bits replaced and
>> bits greased and bits taken off and put back on again, all to no
>> avail. The tricky bit? It will go away for a day after any work is
>> done which means it's always returned with a smile from the workshop,
>> only to chirp up again the next day. It's a high pitched, almost
>> cyclic squeak (think rusty bed springs at a brothel!) which starts
>> around 30kph and gets faster as the truck does. It doesn't happen
>> uphill or in the oomph stage of acceleration (when the weight is
>> pushed backwards) - but downhill, flat road and off the
>> accelerator/cruising brings it on. Clutch in or out makes no
>> difference; steering is fine; braking performance is fine (pads
>> replaced); doesn't seem to do it whilst rock-crawling or very slow
>> off-road work (body twist may stop it?). I have Rancho 9000s all
>> round, some aftermarket 'square' trailing arms (unidentified brand)
>> and have been assured that it's not bearings (I had a new set
>> fitted!), sway bars, or any of the usual suspension suspects. Could
>> the Ranchos develop that kind of squeak, I'm just guessing now! I'm
>> out of ideas and hope someone has had this before and has a solution.
>> Summer's coming here in Sydney, I need to drop the top, but the squeak
>> kills me! Massive thanx for any advice. Casperbloke