Grinding noise while turning right.

[Beowulf]

Grinding noise while turning right.

My friend just bought an LJ Rubicon with 44k. After driving it a little bit he has noticed a grinding noise coming from the front end while turning right. It only does it from a stop. The wheel does not have to be to full lock for this to occur. It does not sound like tire rub and I cannot see any wear marks on the tire or any of the suspension components.

What makes this even more odd is that it does not do it all the time. Plus, if I go to a parking lot and do full lock left turn circles and the full lock right turn circles it does not do it.

Any thoughts on what could be causing this will be greatly appreciated.

 

[Hilldweller]

Grinding or clicking?

 

[Camj]

I'm the friend. It's a grinding, then a popping. It's like a sound a tire tread popping on a fender. Dont know if that helps. Thanks:Wow1:

 

[jeep-N-montero]

I'm the friend. It's a grinding, then a popping. It's like a sound a tire tread popping on a fender. Dont know if that helps. Thanks:Wow1:

Did you check for any rubbing? Checked your u-joints and hubs?

 

[Camj]

Checked for rubbing. No wear marks. Have not checked u-joints or hubs. Would they make a grinding sound only going right?

 

[jeep-N-montero]

Checked for rubbing. No wear marks. Have not checked u-joints or hubs. Would they make a grinding sound only going right?

So you had someone stand next to the Jeep while you went from lock to lock on the steering wheel and watch for rubbing? Not all rubbing leaves wear marks. What backspacing and tires are on the Jeep? And yes, a hub or u-joint can make noise under certain situations, it's how my hub sounded when it went out a year ago.

 

[Camj]

I will check the lock to lock on the steering wheel for rubbing tonight. The backspacing and tires are all stock. Thanks for the hub information. I talked to the broker I got the jeep from and he stated that when he drove it back it wasn't making that sound. His mechanic went through the jeep and found a pipe hanger that needed to be replaced. He replaced the section of pipe behind the muffler and the hanger. I am waiting for him to send me the full service report today.

 

[Hill Bill E.]

Very possible it's the axle U-joint. When going straight, it doesn't move, but if the wheel's are turned, then the U-joint comes into play.

If it's dry (no grease) or worn, it may make the sounds you're describing.

 

[Hilldweller]

I was thinking hub or wheel bearings.
Smell any gear oil?

 

[Hill Bill E.]

Checked for rubbing. No wear marks. Have not checked u-joints or hubs. Would they make a grinding sound only going right?

It can. When turning, there is weight transfer to the outside wheel. Not much, but enough to put more pressure on the drivetrain.

If it's the axle joint or hub, it may make noise when turning one direction only.

 

[jeep-N-montero]

I was thinking hub or wheel bearings.
Smell any gear oil?

These are one in the same on a TJ/XJ/ZJ, a sealed unit that cannot be rebuilt. If he smells gear oil it would likely be a bad seal which typically will not make noise, but a bad bearing could cause the seal to fail of there is a lot of play in the shaft.

 

[Camj]

Oh YA!!!

Problem Solved:
Stopped by another friend who is a jeep nut and certified Cummings diesel mechanic to talk. We checked the CV joints, hubs and the check the steering lock to lock. In the earlier posting I said that when I bought the jeep they had their own mechanic check it out. Their mechanic found a broken hanger on the pipe and put a new hanger, plus a new pipe past the muffler.
Well, I'm guessing that when he went to weld the pipe on, he loosened the bolts on the exhaust manifold and then when he was done welding didn't tighten the bolts back up. That dropped the pipe down just enough to hit the drive shaft u-joint when I would turn right. Tightened up the manifold bolts and it solved everything. Thanks for everyone help and advice it was greatly appreciated!
:ylsmoke:

 

[Beowulf]

Well I can honestly say I don't think any of us would have ever guessed that. I'm glad you found it though. Now you only have to worry about all the money you'll spend doing upgrades.

 

[Camj]

When we found the bolts loose, my friend said that we should leave it and put a lift on to fix it!