Clicking noise when turning.

[Dvol]

I have the exact same thing going on and have been for weeks - driving me batty figuring it out and it sounds like the cotter pins are rattling/popping. My ball joints are torqued right so I've narrowed it down to the cotter pins which are a PITA to remove and replace. Mine were bent all to hell so I've left them in there for now.

Dealer said they replaced my ball joints so far no more clicky for over 1200+ miles..

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[mgroeger]

Dealer said they replaced my ball joints so far no more clicky for over 1200+ miles..

This is exactly what I'm talking about. The dealers go overboard, replacing the entire thing instead just tightening a nut.
There was a guy on here with some problem (can't remember) and they replaced his cam shaft or something and it didn't fix it. The point is they go to the extreme when there is a more simple solution, not all teh time but enough of the time.

 

[JeepCares]

So I'm taking my 2019 JL in Wednesday for the click sound. I'm an optimist, so I'm going to hope it's just the torquing/tightening of the ball joints. I have about 6K miles on it, purchased Feb 2019.

The clicking has gotten more pronounced over time, but still doesn't sound very terrible. I went looking for something small rubbing against something else as the cause of the issue -- then heard it from the wheel itself (ball joints?) and then read this thread. Mine only clicks once as I return to center from hard-left turn of the tire. It is easy to demonstrate at a complete stop - so the techs will have a clear goal to achieve.

My only concern is - how much extra wear&tear has been caused by this issue, and will my ball joints need replacement much sooner than would otherwise be expected?

If yes how do I handle that with the dealer -- who will probably want to fix the problem but not replace all the ball joints at this time..

I presume I just ask them to document the cause and the resolution, and I keep that.

Hi Jim,
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[LagunaJim1]

Ok, so a mechanic who genuinely seems to be a “Jeep guy” just tightened and torqued my front end.

He and another tech together worked on it, and decided the front axle needs to be replaced.

They tightened the ball joint crown nuts like I asked; and said that did not resolve the click.

I’m not at home now, and the parts will take 10 days — so when I get home I’ll get it looked at again.

 

[LagunaJim1]

I wouldn't sweat it. What is clicking is the way the shaft of the ball joint is seated in knuckle housing. The joint itself is not making the noise, the way the joint is seated (or lack there of) is causing the clicking. A simple tightening of the nut will pull the ball joint shaft snugly into position and stop the clicking.
Just make sure to tell the dealer this is where they need to focus their attention, on those ball joint nuts. It will then be documented in the system as well.
Hopefully you don't have one of those arrogant dealers who think they know it all and wind up replacing your front drive shaft or muffler or whatever else because "we thought that's where the noise was coming from".

I posted the results of the visit to the dealer just now - interested in your opinion.

They insist not the crown nuts - tightened, over tightened - still the click. They want to replace the axle.

 

[mgroeger]

I posted the results of the visit to the dealer just now - interested in your opinion.

They insist not the crown nuts - tightened, over tightened - still the click. They want to replace the axle.

Wow, didn't see that one coming. Very interesting, jumping to replacing an entire axle seems a bit extreme but who am I to say. I would think there would be intermittent steps to take but then again this is cash in teh pocket since it warranty work.

 

[LagunaJim1]

Wow, didn't see that one coming. Very interesting, jumping to replacing an entire axle seems a bit extreme but who am I to say. I would think there would be intermittent steps to take but then again this is cash in teh pocket since it warranty work.

They felt good that they isolated the nose to the U-fitting at the end of the axle.

He also said changing out a Jeep axle is a really easy job. They don't have to open the front differential at all -- just remove some fitting near the middle that holds it all together then one bang with a mallet and the axle slides out.

I dunno about expense and don't really care -- just don't want unneeded work for no reason if it doesn't solve the problem.

p.s. I think they improved the problem just by tightening shit. It's harder for me to cause the little click sound than it was before. He also offered that I might not bother getting it fixed. He felt strongly that it was safe enough for him to put his family in and did not think the problem would get worse or cause premature wear. I know myself and I'll probably opt to get it diagnosed again and repaired when I get back 2000 miles to my home base.

Based on other comments here, I also asked if he found anything up front that was seriously under-torqued or loose from the factory. He said no, it looked good in all places -- but he still hit every bolt and added a little extra to the torque-spec because that's how he always does it.

 

[mgroeger]

They felt good that they isolated the nose to the U-fitting at the end of the axle.

He also said changing out a Jeep axle is a really easy job. They don't have to open the front differential at all -- just remove some fitting near the middle that holds it all together then one bang with a mallet and the axle slides out.

I dunno about expense and don't really care -- just don't want unneeded work for no reason if it doesn't solve the problem.

p.s. I think they improved the problem just by tightening shit. It's harder for me to cause the little click sound than it was before. He also offered that I might not bother getting it fixed. He felt strongly that it was safe enough for him to put his family in and did not think the problem would get worse or cause premature wear. I know myself and I'll probably opt to get it diagnosed again and repaired when I get back 2000 miles to my home base.

Based on other comments here, I also asked if he found anything up front that was seriously under-torqued or loose from the factory. He said no, it looked good in all places -- but he still hit every bolt and added a little extra to the torque-spec because that's how he always does it.

OK, so he's replacing the axle SHAFT not the axle. Replacing the axle seemed a bit over kill.

 

[danzy55]

So I'm taking my 2019 JL in Wednesday for the click sound. I'm an optimist, so I'm going to hope it's just the torquing/tightening of the ball joints. I have about 6K miles on it, purchased Feb 2019.

The clicking has gotten more pronounced over time, but still doesn't sound very terrible. I went looking for something small rubbing against something else as the cause of the issue -- then heard it from the wheel itself (ball joints?) and then read this thread. Mine only clicks once as I return to center from hard-left turn of the tire. It is easy to demonstrate at a complete stop - so the techs will have a clear goal to achieve.

My only concern is - how much extra wear&tear has been caused by this issue, and will my ball joints need replacement much sooner than would otherwise be expected?

If yes how do I handle that with the dealer -- who will probably want to fix the problem but not replace all the ball joints at this time..

I presume I just ask them to document the cause and the resolution, and I keep that.

Mine did the same, turns out the castle nuts were loose and just needed to be torqued down to proper spec = no more clicking

 

[Adthornton2323]

Could all of you guys feel the click in the steering wheel?

 

[LagunaJim1]

So here's my update. The clicking has largely disappeared since they re-torqued a bunch of bolts in the front-end.

I never proceeded with replacing any parts (and definitely not the axle!).

For the person with the recent question - no clicking felt through the steering wheel (nowhere near such a thing!!) - it was just a troubling little noise only hearable at no or low speed.

 

[grandsrus]

Could all of you guys feel the click in the steering wheel?

no, just heard outside when in 4wd turning.

 

[jhernandez]

I had been having this same issue and just wanted to provide an update for anyone who is having a similar issue. It sounds like it may be becoming more prevalent.

I had the same issue: a metal-like clicking sound at low speeds, typically 1-3 clicks at a time. I really couldn't figure out any pattern to it. It sounded like it was coming from the left front. It was really only noticeable with the windows down or the doors off. I didn't notice any issues with steering, transmission, etc., it was just annoying.

I took it in this week and they found that a left front ball joint bolt was not properly torqued. I can confirm that fixed the issue. I hope this saves y'all some time if you take it to your dealer.

So is fix for good did not come back?

 

[jhern88]

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.

2019 JEEP WRANGLER SPORT JL 4 DOORS V6
FRONT AND REAR ROCK CRAWLER ADJUSTABLE TRACKBAR
SYNERGY TRACKBAR AND SECTOR SHAFT BRACE
MOPAR LIFT KIT

MY PROBLEM IS THE CLICKING SOUND REAR, DON'T KNOW WHERE IS THE CLICKING SOUND COMING FROM REAR. SLIGHTLY GO TURNING WHEELS LEFT TO RIGHT OR JUST FORWARD OR REVERSE HEAR A CLICKING SOUND. NEED TO FIX THIS CLICKING SOUND ASAP BEFORE GET WORST PLEASE HELP THANKS.

 

[mgroeger]

2019 JEEP WRANGLER SPORT JL 4 DOORS V6
FRONT AND REAR ROCK CRAWLER ADJUSTABLE TRACKBAR
SYNERGY TRACKBAR AND SECTOR SHAFT BRACE
MOPAR LIFT KIT

MY PROBLEM IS THE CLICKING SOUND REAR, DON'T KNOW WHERE IS THE CLICKING SOUND COMING FROM REAR. SLIGHTLY GO TURNING WHEELS LEFT TO RIGHT OR JUST FORWARD OR REVERSE HEAR A CLICKING SOUND. NEED TO FIX THIS CLICKING SOUND ASAP BEFORE GET WORST PLEASE HELP THANKS.

OK, deep breath and stop yelling (using all caps)

That's a good one but let's start with the basics. That means get out the old torque wrench and go over EVERY bolt and make sure it is torqued properly. I've solved many a noise problem that way. Upper and lower control arm bolts, track bar bolts, shock bolts, sway bar links, you name it.

If that fails to solve the problem the next thing to do is take the rear tires off and check the brake calipers to make sure they are properly tightened. Brake pads can make a clicking sound when you go from forward to reverse as they move slightly in position but that doesn't sound like the problem.

Lastly, and I know you don't want to hear this, if you can't figure it out it will eventually get worse where you will know what it is. I'm not joking. I had a noise, chased it all over the front end and could never find it. Then one day I had the doors off and the noise had been getting worse and I heard it but it was coming from the back. Still couldn't find it until I was doing something else and grabbed the back of the Jeep to move myself and VOILA! I found out my upper control arm bolt was loose.

Be patient and try not to stress, it's not the end of the world, you will find it.

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