Need Help

[pinslammer]

Sunday our Lib started making a weird noise. When decelerating, it makes a sound like one of the tires is running over the warning strip on a highway. I don’t feel any thing in the wheel just the sound. Yesterday the car started doing it at lower speeds (20 or lower). Does anyone know what could be causing this sound; I’m sure its not going to be a cheap fix.

Thanks

 

[BjBnet]

so the KJ AND the car?

 

[pinslammer]

sorry, its just the KJ, i use the term losely. its an '02 4x4 w/ 141,000 mi.

 

[sleeve]

First guess: U-joints

Second guess: Wheel Bearings.

 

[twack]

if this is when your pressing the brakes you could easily have warped rotors, the liberty rotors are worthless

 

[pinslammer]

no pressing the brakes made it go away at first. we just put new brakes and rotors on a month ago so i hope they arent warped. i used some aftermarket rotors from advanced auto. if its the ujoints wouldnt i be able to feel the car shake from them?

 

[jnaut]

Sunday our Lib started making a weird noise. When decelerating, it makes a sound like one of the tires is running over the warning strip on a highway. I don’t feel any thing in the wheel just the sound. Yesterday the car started doing it at lower speeds (20 or lower). Does anyone know what could be causing this sound; I’m sure its not going to be a cheap fix.

Thanks

My KJ has a bad pinion bearing. After spending two months analyzing this, I now know more about differential noises than ever before. This sounds like a diff issue, especially if it's only on decelerating. You can drive yourself nuts trying tyo figure out the cause of the noise. Believe me, I did. The best way is to get it on a rack and put a mechanical stethescope on it if you can't easily identify exactly where the sound is coming from. I'm assuming the sound is coming from the rear or the vehicle?

 

[jnaut]

no pressing the brakes made it go away at first. we just put new brakes and rotors on a month ago so i hope they arent warped. i used some aftermarket rotors from advanced auto. if its the ujoints wouldnt i be able to feel the car shake from them?

If the rotors were warped you would feel the car shudder while the brakes were depressed.

 

[pinslammer]

the brakes are fine, i know that. ive had many warped rotors.

 

[pinslammer]

lets say it is the u-joints, what size are they? it looks like the zone has two different sizes...

 

[jnaut]

lets say it is the u-joints, what size are they? it looks like the zone has two different sizes...

In the thread where I was trying to get help on my differential problem (before I knew it was a diff problem) people were suggesting the drive shaft u-joints. I was told by one person to drive around with the vehicle, then feel the shaft u-joints. If they were super hot, then that was probably the problem. Mine weren't hot. Warm... a little bit, but not even hot to the touch. You migh lift rear on some stands, have someone stand behind the vehicle, put it in gear and let the rear wheels spin a bit and see if they can still hear or pinpoint the noise.

I'm no expert on this, but I seriously don't believe a u-joint would only make noise on deceleration. It should make noise while it spins, period. I have read on many a thread that a faulty differential problem will cause a noise on acceleration or deceleration only, because the stress is being put on different sides of the gears.

 

[pinslammer]

Well we just took the lib out on a few errands and the buzzing is getting worse. it is now a constant drone which is making me think it is the u-joints. wont be able to look at it for a while. i hope thats the only problem.

 

[Bikeflyer]

How is the tread? I have seen it happen from a tire treadwear inconsistency. Just a thought.

 

[pinslammer]

tread is even, got the tires less than 3 months ago. haven't even had their first rotation.