Rubbing sound- front brakes?

[HoosierJeeper]

Lately I've been noticing a strange noise from the KJ. It sounds like it's coming from the front and it's more pronounced in 4WD but still there in 2WD. It kinda sounds like the pads are "grinding" on the rotors. I checked the pads (see pics) and they look thick still. I think the passenger side caliper might be leaking a bit- felt a bit greasy on the boot that is around the piston.

Driver's pads:

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Inner pad/caliper piston

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Passenger:

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Inner pad/piston (is it leaking)

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I don't think it's drivetrain related (at least not CV related- no ticking/clicking at all, boots look fine, I know what a bad CV is like)

I have an audio clip too- you can hear it in the background a bit. It's louder in person.
https://soundcloud.com/rjvjeepster/13-2013-mp3
Thanks!

 

[QuickSilver]

A few months ago something similar happened to me. A small pebble got stuck between the rotor and the rotor cover (inner diameter of the rotor), but the sound was much harsher than what you're describing. Dislodged it with a long screwdriver and it was all good. You might have a softer foreign object stuck in your rotor. Use a flashlight and check for debris.

 

[dude1116]

A few months ago something similar happened to me. A small pebble got stuck between the rotor and the rotor cover (inner diameter of the rotor), but the sound was much harsher than what you're describing. Dislodged it with a long screwdriver and it was all good. You might have a softer foreign object stuck in your rotor. Use a flashlight and check for debris.

Most people who wheel will have this type of issue at some point! MAN does that sounds SUCK to hear.

 

[HoosierJeeper]

I blew out the rotors and stuff with my air compressor...still doing the noise. Couldn't find any pebbles either.

Noticed this...could this be the issue? No play in it and no clicking, but just pulling at straws.

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[tjkj2002]

I blew out the rotors and stuff with my air compressor...still doing the noise. Couldn't find any pebbles either.

Noticed this...could this be the issue? No play in it and no clicking, but just pulling at straws.

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Have you checked the front diff fluid level?

If it's more pronounced in 4wd it's in the front driveline somewhere.

 

[HoosierJeeper]

Not yet....what is the spec for the amount that should be in there? I check the rest of the diff and I couldn't find anything besides what I got that pic of.

 

[CzarKJ]

FRONT DIFFERENTIAL: 80W-90, 75W-90, 75W-140
(change every 12,000-15,000 miles)
(2.6 pints)

from our sticky.

 

[HoosierJeeper]

If the diff fluid is low (if it leaked enough to put the grease on the shaft in the pic), what is the likely hood that it has sustained damage?

 

[HoosierJeeper]

My son is going to change the front diff fluid this morning on it...so we will see.

 

[Dave]

My son is going to change the front diff fluid this morning on it...so we will see.

Stick your finger in the fill hole to see if you have fluid in there and to make sure you can get the fill plug out. (you don't want to drain it and then find that the fill plug is stuck) Then leave the fill plug off to drain better. You'll have to drop the skid to get to the drain plug.

Let us know how you make out HJ.

Dave

 

[HoosierJeeper]

He checked it...when he took the fill plug oil came out. So the level was ok, so it wasn't low. Since he had the skid off he went ahead and changed the fluid, the noise is still there. He put in the correct amount.

Thoughts? Thanks!

 

[TwoBobsKJ]

I've got something similar - could be the same sound but the crappy speakers on this laptop don't do your recording justice.

It seems to me the only option left is the front CV on the front driveshaft. Mine had a bit of fluid around it this winter when I removed it during my engine swap but I didn't pay it much attention (I was focused on getting the engine in not the driveshaft.)

Dunno...Anyone ever swap the front CV on the driveshaft?

Bob

 

[HoosierJeeper]

Does yours make a clicking noise? Mine doesn't....doesn't really sound like a CV like I've heard. Checked the Xfer case too, nothing strange.

 

[TwoBobsKJ]

Does yours make a clicking noise? Mine doesn't....doesn't really sound like a CV like I've heard. Checked the Xfer case too, nothing strange.

It's more of a mild, muted "tap tap" than a clicking. Think screwdriver handle tapped on the tread of a tire; distinct but definitely not clicking.

Not bad enough for me to tear the front end apart but enough to keep me thinking too much... opcorn:

Bob

 

[HoosierJeeper]

Mine could kind of be perceived as that- wish we were closer so we could sample them out haha! Do you have the grease spot in the same place as me? (where the shafts connects to the diff)?

 

[TwoBobsKJ]

Mine could kind of be perceived as that- wish we were closer so we could sample them out haha! Do you have the grease spot in the same place as me? (where the shafts connects to the diff)?

"Here, you listen to mine and I'll listen to yours..." :love62:

Kidding!

Yes, I have that same spot around the front CV. I'm leaning toward that as the source only because I've eliminated everything else. When I regear I'm swapping in a front diff from a 4 cylinder Liberty and I'm thinking that might be a good time to change that CV. Can't hurt as long as it's as easy to change as the CV on the other end of the drive shaft.

Bob

 

[HoosierJeeper]

I noticed Autozone had the kit to rebuild that front CV joint for $180 or so. Keep us posted on if that fixes it!

 

[Snail Farmer]

Driveshaftparts.com has it also for $85. Pretty sure this is the right one: CV Joints & Shafts - Jeep Front Driveshaft CV Joint - Driveshaft Parts

 

[dude1116]

He checked it...when he took the fill plug oil came out. So the level was ok, so it wasn't low. Since he had the skid off he went ahead and changed the fluid, the noise is still there. He put in the correct amount.

Thoughts? Thanks!

Just a thought...but what color was the fluid that came out? Normally if it overflows out like that, there was too much fluid in there to begin with, meaning maybe there's water in it? If it's a milky, disgusting, snot green, then it had water in it. Not sure that would cause you an issue like this, but it might be worth changing out the fluid. You can also make sure the magnet drain plug doesn't have any metal fragments on it, meaning your front differential is being damaged.

Usually this happens when someone wheels. Not to knock you or anything :nutkick: , but you seem to be more of a detailer than a wheeler, so all of the above might not be the case.

That's about all I got. :Stupid Me:

 

[HoosierJeeper]

Fluid was like a tan-brown color, not green at all. No metallic flakes in it either. We did change it!