So I've had this weird creaking-like noise happen when I turn left in my vehicle. I recently replaced the axle shaft on that side with a new ujoint since it broke on the trail, but I'm almost positive it happened before it broke too. I noticed the little black plastic seal thing isn't pushed against the axle housing, is that normal? And I also noticed one end of the ujoint was coming out of the yoke, so I tapped it back in, not sure if that's part of the issue. Could my ball joints be going bad? I also don't know if it's related, but it probably is. When I'm going slow and I brake, there's a little grinding noise. It's either like a ujoint or brake pad that isn't seated properly or something, but one of my calipers is bad too, so that might be part of that.


Here's a pic of the drivers side:


And here's that little black seal thing:

 

" I noticed the little black plastic seal thing isn't pushed against the axle housing, is that normal?" It's a "dust cover - small anti rock intrusion device". If you can push it up against the tube without breaking it, fine, if not just leave it alone.

"And I also noticed one end of the ujoint was coming out of the yoke, so I tapped it back in, not sure if that's part of the issue." I'm going to really hope you have clips securing the caps on that u-joint.



"Creaking sound" is almost always a dry bushing somewhere.

 

Alright, thanks for the info. I have to check on the clip, although I'm sure it's on.. Is it on the inside of the cap that has the zerk fitting? I drove it for 40 miles on the highway over the weekend, and to and from work for the last few days and it's been fine.


I'll go over my bushings. Is there one that's more common to be dry than others? And can you tell how my ball joints are from that pic? I need to replace my calipers soon, and if the joints needs to be replaced I'd like to do it together.


Thanks

 

Any other input?

 

there should have been 4 (C) clips included with your new u-joint / that attach to inner yoke area onto u-joint .. 1 clip for each of the 4 caps .... you shouldnt have to re-tap any in if theyre on right, they will hug the inner yoke snug

make sure theyre installed right, its very easy to attach clips onto u-joint bushing retainer slot, not intended for that clip

that bushing slot is misleading .. when you get all 4 clips on correct slot .. the joints action should be binded / feeling sticky to swivel at 1st, since snug .. a few light hammer taps across each outer cap .. will un-bind them .. I played with the action until it felt buttery .. before re-install

If you bought a u-joint with Moon-shaped clips included .. wrong joint .. those are outer clips for drive axles (my most forward main drive shaft has said clips)

As far as that plastic ring .. it shouldnt hug tight to axle tube, it would just break, spacing looks like mine



not sure what your noise would be .. brake shield bent during repair ?? or backwards ? does your brake pedal get weird on a turn ? could be loose hub .. rotor wont work correctly, noisy & off centered to pads

creaking could be a bushing as said .. theres a few of them to go thru. did you change the other front U-joint recently ? mine creaked bad before doing passenger u-joint, from what I hear .. the passenger side gets worn out quicker

 

I'll double check the c clips and get back to you.

It's possible it could be the brake shield. It doesn't happen every time. Just when I'm going slow, like slowing down to stop at a light, and I crawl for a little and it happens. Can I remove that shield or would that be bad? I just replaced the hub assembly a few weeks ago, and the noise happened before I did it, so I doubt it's that. I replaced my passenger side u joint/axle shaft when it broke on the trail a year ago, it's been fine ever since.


Thanks I appreciate the help!

 

my brakes creak a bit .. when super super slow, nudging forward / reverse .. on all jeeps i had .. my 30' work truck has the loudest creak in slow reverse when wet backing into our dock .. I bet its your brakes

notice my rear brakes always feel sticky after a wet night, that goes away after a few stops

as far as the clips .. learned my lesson .. believe me .. check them

store originally sold me wrong joint .. moon shaped clips, I installed old clips to bushing slot .. luckily i went to buy the other side & found out it was all wrong

I carefully removed wrong joint, they refunded me too .. but I almost gouged / wallowed out the axle yoke holes .. be careful if joint is wrong .. use plenty of lube / go slow

 

It was the dust shield on mine

 

You really want to insure that u-joint is properly secured before you drive this thing anymore. If it comes loose on you going down the highway it's going to get exciting (and probably expensive to fix) real fast.

 

since my "learning experience" .. after install: check em daily .. then every other day .. then once a week, then once a month .. then relax

.. whew ! not a job i wanna do again soon, have too many other things to tackle

on that note: knocked those u-joints out & done .. everything else ive done since has been a cakewalk

 

After tapping it in when I first saw it, it's been seated fine. I had a buddy look at it and we didn't see anything wrong with it. I'm keeping an eye on it.