Metallic clicking when turning!

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Showolf777

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Hey guys... My Jeep is making this EXACT same sound when turning the wheel. Yet I do not see any CV joints? I checked my front end thoroughly and I am puzzled to say the least. It does this clicking with engine on & off when the wheel is turned. I am worried something is wearing out and will fall off showing me what it was when too late!!!!

What else might it be? FYI bith control arms plus upper & lower ball joints were replaced and properly greased recently.

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gayle.woods

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Possibly check the sway-bar link arm bushings and the frame mounted bushings. The sway-bar will flex ever so slightly when turning the wheel even sitting still. I don't fully understand what you mean by this: "Yet I do not see any CV joints?" The actual joint is in the rubber boot.
 

Showolf777

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Possibly check the sway-bar link arm bushings and the frame mounted bushings. The sway-bar will flex ever so slightly when turning the wheel even sitting still. I don't fully understand what you mean by this: "Yet I do not see any CV joints?" The actual joint is in the rubber boot.
I can't even see the rubber boot lol? My Jeep is a 2wd is that why. Are the CV axles only on 4X4 models?
 

Showolf777

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Also I replaced the sway bar links and bushings as well. Still doing it!
 

tommudd

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I can't even see the rubber boot lol? My Jeep is a 2wd is that why. Are the CV axles only on 4X4 models?
The CVs are what drive both front wheels from the differential
So if only two wheel drive then no you do not have
So next , what ball joints ( lower ) did you use ?
If anything else but MOOG greaseable ones then it could be a lower ball joint.
Some like from Detroit axle only last a few months
 

Showolf777

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The CVs are what drive both front wheels from the differential
So if only two wheel drive then no you do not have
So next , what ball joints ( lower ) did you use ?
If anything else but MOOG greaseable ones then it could be a lower ball joint.
Some like from Detroit axle only last a few months
I used a cheap ball joint set off ebay. I am able to grease the top ones but lower have no grease fittings. I bet that is what it is! Thanks I will check
 

tommudd

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I used a cheap ball joint set off ebay. I am able to grease the top ones but lower have no grease fittings. I bet that is what it is! Thanks I will check
A lot of parts on Ebay any more are junk
I used to buy and sell on there but no more
 

WyldWolf777

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Well folks! I have confirmed the culprit... The day after I made this thread I was on my way to pick up my wife and the clicking noise was considerably worse plus the steering was binding and the wheel sticking in position turning to the right as if it was hanging there until I manually turned it back center. When my wife came out of work I sat there turning the wheel back and forth about 30 times to try and show her how loud it was. She said to her ears it was the same as always but to my ears it was considerably louder. She insisted on taking it to work the next morning against my judgement and telling her I just did not feel good about it. I knew that something just wasn't RIGHT in a big way...

I made it home, and parked it in it's spot. Morning came and she left for work only to come rushing back into the house telling me the Jeep made a loud pop in the right front and her tire was off sideways laying on the ground with her Jeep in the middle of our street blocking it!!!! The passenger side lower ball joint broke!!!! The wheel had only ONE more turn left. Guys... Let this be a heads up and lesson if anyone else has a similar noise! And never buy cheap ball joints off Ebay! I spent the rest of the morning thanking God for the miracle of her not being in a very serious accident at highway speeds plus helping my father in law by using a tiny jack to kick the tire semi back in position to try and move the Jeep 8 feet to the grass in front of our home.
 

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TKJ

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So yes cheap LBJs , I was right , usually they do not come apart on the highway, just when turning sharply in and out of parking spots, tommudd said that
 

WyldWolf777

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Learned my lesson BIG TIME. Some things like parts that are critical are worth spending a little extra for. Also I was not aware the wheel could completely dislocate due to a failed ball joint! Craziness!!!!
 

duderz7

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You've one ball joint top and one ball joint bottom holding the steering knuckle which is essentially where the hangs. Definitely not a place for cheap parts and definitely an item to keep tabs on especially when noises are present. Glad noone was injured, the jeep can be easily repaired.
 

WyldWolf777

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You've one ball joint top and one ball joint bottom holding the steering knuckle which is essentially where the hangs. Definitely not a place for cheap parts and definitely an item to keep tabs on especially when noises are present. Glad noone was injured, the jeep can be easily repaired.
Could have been so much worse... The ball joints were my least suspect as I replaced both the upper control arms with the ball joint, and lower ball joints no more than 6 months ago. We have been going crazy trying to find the reason for the clicking looking all around but never once thought the new ball joints could be the problem until it snapped. Unreal...
 

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