Clicking noise when turning.

[1quick1]

I had the same clicking noise coming from the passenger side. As I was tightening the ball joint nut it made the same clicking noise and the nut turned a good ways. The clicking sound is no more. I would’ve never figured it out if it wasn’t for this post! Thanks!

This was exactly my results but the dealer did it. Was even more difficult to figure out 2 years ago!

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[suicideTone]

Make sure u have a breaker bar or a long handled torque. My lowers didn’t budge until I extended my handle on the wrench. One of the nuts even made the clicking noise while I turned it. I left my pins out for a few days to make sure the noise stayed gone. I did end up turning one more a day later and noise hasn’t returned. The pins are 1/8” and I think inch and a quarter length worked fine. Go to Napa. Was like .40 for 4. They keep them in the back.

 

[johnbyron]

I am sure I am doing something wrong, but it doesn't look like a torque wrench would fit between the joint and the wheel. Should the wheel be removed?

 

[suicideTone]

I am sure I am doing something wrong, but it doesn't look like a torque wrench would fit between the joint and the wheel. Should the wheel be removed?

my 1/2" torque wouldn't fit. so I went out and bought a 3/8 and a shallower socket. I measured them in store to make sure it would fit. Others may have better advice, but I needed the leverage and it worked. I wouldn't sweat using a torque, but find a ratchet that extends (Harbor Freight has some) or a breaker bar. Taking the wheels off seemed like too much effort for me after breaking those cotter pins out, but would work too.

 

[mgroeger]

I am sure I am doing something wrong, but it doesn't look like a torque wrench would fit between the joint and the wheel. Should the wheel be removed?

It's OK to remove the tire if the wrench won't fit. I didnt' even use a torque wrench, I forget what I used (open ended wrench, socket, adjustable wrench??) and tightened until the thing stopped clicking. Why is your socket so small? It almost looks like you are trying to fit it on the bolt and not the castle nut.

 

[johnbyron]

It's OK to remove the tire if the wrench won't fit. I didnt' even use a torque wrench, I forget what I used (open ended wrench, socket, adjustable wrench??) and tightened until the thing stopped clicking. Why is your socket so small? It almost looks like you are trying to fit it on the bolt and not the castle nut.

You know why it almost looks like I was trying to fit it on the bolt and not the castle nut? Because that's exactly what I was trying to do
A combination of low visibility and inexperience led to this error.
I grabbed a regular 22 wrench and tried again: the upper nut didn't move at all, while the bottom one made a clunk. The clicking seems to have gone away. I love this forum, thanks!

 

[okie dokie]

Dang I'm glad I found this thread. Had doors off lately and that click was making me fret. Drove it out to some friends today who help me wrench to make sure I wasn't hearing things and they could hear it also but when we got under it couldn't find anything amiss. Made appt with service dept and will have this thread handy.

Great forum!

 

[Gonzanc]

Wanted to provide an update and possible solution for those who have this clicking/ticking noise and also have a synergy track bar and a sector shaft brace.

I was having all the same issues and checked the torque on drag link, track bar, tie rod, shocks, control arms, ball joints, etc. However, I was still getting the noise. I had my GF turn the wheel as I searched for the noise and isolated it to the 3/8” flat head screw on the back side of the brace (picture attached). This is the flat head screw facing the rear of the Jeep. Despite having put blue loctite on this screw when installing, it worked itself loose and was causing my clicking/ticking noise. Dab of blue loctite, 30ft/lbs and noise is completely gone.

Happy wrenching!

 

[IceInfusion]

In

I am sure I am doing something wrong, but it doesn't look like a torque wrench would fit between the joint and the wheel. Should the wheel be removed?

I had the same issue. I removed the wheel.

 

[IceInfusion]

I had the same noise being described. Clicking noise when turning the wheel at low speeds, usually when pulling in/out of parking spots. I took the advice here and tightened the lower ball joints to spec (37ft-lbs + advance nut to the next slot to line up with the hole for the cotter pin). I really struggled getting the cotter pins out. Took me about an hour per wheel. Removing the tires helped a lot. So far so good. Have not heard the clicking noise for a couple days now.

 

[alundsberg]

Hi all I've been noticing a clicking noise that seems to be coming from the from driver side wheel well only when I turn right.

Unless it also happens when I turn right and I'm just not hearing it.

Has anyone experienced this? I'm probably going to take it into the dealer, feel like something isn't tightened and hoping it's not u joint already going bad.

Hi JLSpartan, 1quick1, and Deride,

Thank you for sharing your experience. This is not what we like to hear for our new JL owners. At this time, have you had a chance to bring this to your dealer's attention? If additional assistance is needed while in service, please send us a private message.

Darlene
Jeep Social Care Specialist

I've been having the same problem with a 2018 Jeep JL. Clicking sound on front end when making slow turns. I've been to two different dealers. First one replaced the front ball joint. They left the cotter pin out (potentially deadly mistake) so I will never go to that dealership again. Second dealer replaced the ball joint again. I've since been to that dealer again with the same issue and they don't know what it is. Anyone here know what the issue is? I'm at the end of my rope here with a brand new jeep that only has 5,000 miles on it... I've wasted so much time on this (the dealers are not near my house).

 

[intentsrig]

I've been having the same problem with a 2018 Jeep JL. Clicking sound on front end when making slow turns. I've been to two different dealers. First one replaced the front ball joint. They left the cotter pin out (potentially deadly mistake) so I will never go to that dealership again. Second dealer replaced the ball joint again. I've since been to that dealer again with the same issue and they don't know what it is. Anyone here know what the issue is? I'm at the end of my rope here with a brand new jeep that only has 5,000 miles on it... I've wasted so much time on this (the dealers are not near my house).

My front end clicking noise went away when I switched to Dynatrac ball joints. Only driven a few times so I’ll report back.

 

[danzy55]

have a tech check your castle nuts, re-toque that cleared up the clinking in mine. Both were loose as hell

 

[alundsberg]

They retorqued everything several times now. Its a rotational clicking... they just refuse to acknowledge it. Will try a 3rd dealership soon.

 

[JeepCares]

They retorqued everything several times now. Its a rotational clicking... they just refuse to acknowledge it. Will try a 3rd dealership soon.

Hi @alundsberg,

Once you have an appointment set to return to the dealer, please send our team a private message. We can certainly have a case escalated to a specialist for additional support.

Darlene
Jeep Cares

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