94 Landcruiser “Clicking”

[DodgeH8TER]

So just bought my second car at 17. 1994 FJ80 with 328000 miles for 3500. Seems to be taken care of pretty well but has a clicking noise from the front left in a sharp turn. I think it’s the Steering knuckles but I thought I might ask first before throwing parts

 

[Corbet]

most likely the birfield joint.

 

[77mustard40]

Rebuild your front axle and swap the birfs from one side to the other, it won't last forever but I'm at roughly 40,000 on my swap.

 

[DodgeH8TER]

most likely the birfield joint.

Yeah that’s what I was thinking it would be. I’m gonna grease them up and if the noise keeps coming than I’ll look into replacing them.

 

[DodgeH8TER]

Rebuild your front axle and swap the birfs from one side to the other, it won't last forever but I'm at roughly 40,000 on my swap.

Well if it’s already making the clicking noise won’t swapping them around do nothing other than making the other side click

 

[cruiserdan]

Well if it’s already making the clicking noise won’t swapping them around do nothing other than making the other side click

Likely. In addition the process to split them apart is pretty violent and I'm not too fond of it. Pounding things apart can't be ideal.

 

[alia176]

Likely. In addition the process to split them apart is pretty violent and I'm not too fond of it. Pounding things apart can't be ideal.

So beat and heat not your favorite?

Just messing.

 

[77mustard40]

OP here's a couple of discussions on swapping birfs along with the FAQ thread on the axle service. Saw you were 17 and figured you may not have a lot of extra $ laying around so that's why I suggested the swap. If it doesnt work you just out you time and get to learn to do the job faster the second time. Your truck and your call, worked for me and I had a lot of other stuff to address on mine at the time.

Front Axle Rebuild - For FAQ

The following thread is compilation from forum members and other sources Please notify the moderators of additions, errors, tips or clarifications you think would help a novice take this on. The following thread is a culmination of posts and threads from many forum members including Semlin...

forum.ih8mud.com

Birfield joints still making noise after greasing heavily.

I wanted to post on here and see if I can get any pointers. I believe it is my birfield joints that pop in 4 low at full lock left or right. Took the square bolt out of the top of the knuckle on both sides and started greasing. They clear up but eventually always start popping again. They do...

forum.ih8mud.com

swap birffs or not

I am getting all my ducks in a row to start my front axle rebuild. I am wondering if I should disassemble my birffs and swap sides.. I am leaning to no as they seem to be working fine and I have never heard any clicking out of them. I know some folks have had trouble separating and getting them...

forum.ih8mud.com

 

[CrabCake]

If you do order parts, be sure to do with a vin check (or know your truck well)...they changed the drive flange mid way through '94 and also the birf clip ring location to match...the early '94's are thinner and tend to wear the spines out, causing clunking up front and eventually loosing the front drive if it gets stripped. Many will change the flange if it is in fact the early style when doing the birf replacement to the later thicker style (just be sure to order the birf to match with the correct clip ring cutout or some have a cutout for both thicknesses).

On a side note, I bought a car many years ago and dragged it back to MD from a fellow in Idaho Falls...nice little town with WIDE streets! He said they had to be wide enough to u-turn a horse drawn carriage.

 

[Kernal]

@DodgeH8TER : you can use the SEARCH function (top right all pages), choose This Forum, type in key words
like clicking Birfs (short for Birfield CV joint).

For a quick test you can try adding Valvoline Palladium grease sold at NAPA stores, it has 3% Moly (Molybdenum) to each knuckle
via the inspection plug top front of each knuckle. If the grease level is very low you may need one full tube added to each knuckle.

Recent discussion on same topic:

Driving on clicking birfs-does it hurt anything?

forum.ih8mud.com

You can download a copy of the 1994 Factory Service Manual (FSM) from the RESOURCES sections (see top of page)

Here's a link to a good video to watch/learn about servicing a solid front axle. There are many videos on the Tubes
on the same topic but be careful, IME some leave something out or just make mistakes. Always refer to the FSM except maybe for
setting front wheel bearing preload, for that search on the 80 forum for wheel bearing preload

 

[Corbet]

Grease will only mask it temporarily. Reality is that you can drive it for some time and it will just make more noise as they wear. Yes it could fail if pushed hard. I guess what I’m getting at is if there are any other issues with the truck I might push this repair off. My chromoly birfs have been making noise since before Covid. So much noise friends can hear them over their own trucks when wheeling.

I have new ones just haven’t made the time to replace them.

 

[DodgeH8TER]

If you do order parts, be sure to do with a vin check (or know your truck well)...they changed the drive flange mid way through '94 and also the birf clip ring location to match...the early '94's are thinner and tend to wear the spines out, causing clunking up front and eventually loosing the front drive if it gets stripped. Many will change the flange if it is in fact the early style when doing the birf replacement to the later thicker style (just be sure to order the birf to match with the correct clip ring cutout or some have a cutout for both thicknesses).

On a side note, I bought a car many years ago and dragged it back to MD from a fellow in Idaho Falls...nice little town with WIDE streets! He said they had to be wide enough to u-turn a horse drawn carriage.

I’ll look into that. I actually bought the landcruiser from my auto teacher Phillip. He owns dirt slayers and has a crazy built landcruiser with over 100k invested

 

[DodgeH8TER]

@DodgeH8TER : you can use the SEARCH function (top right all pages), choose This Forum, type in key words
like clicking Birfs (short for Birfield CV joint).

For a quick test you can try adding Valvoline Palladium grease sold at NAPA stores, it has 3% Moly (Molybdenum) to each knuckle
via the inspection plug top front of each knuckle. If the grease level is very low you may need one full tube added to each knuckle.

Recent discussion on same topic:

Driving on clicking birfs-does it hurt anything?

forum.ih8mud.com

You can download a copy of the 1994 Factory Service Manual (FSM) from the RESOURCES sections (see top of page)

Here's a link to a good video to watch/learn about servicing a solid front axle. There are many videos on the Tubes
on the same topic but be careful, IME some leave something out or just make mistakes. Always refer to the FSM except maybe for
setting front wheel bearing preload, for that search on the 80 forum for wheel bearing preload

That’s for all the tips and info. I added about 20 pumps per side and it has completely gone away. Grease is probably just muffling it

 

[DodgeH8TER]

Grease will only mask it temporarily. Reality is that you can drive it for some time and it will just make more noise as they wear. Yes it could fail if pushed hard. I guess what I’m getting at is if there are any other issues with the truck I might push this repair off. My chromoly birfs have been making noise since before Covid. So much noise friends can hear them over their own trucks when wheeling.

I have new ones just haven’t made the time to replace them.

Yeah I might address the fluids leaking out of every single seal. And also that my tires are 20 years old

 

[Brindleboxer]

I’ll look into that. I actually bought the landcruiser from my auto teacher Phillip. He owns dirt slayers and has a crazy built landcruiser with over 100k invested

Yeah I might address the fluids leaking out of every single seal. And also that my tires are 20 years old

I guess putting 100k into another cruiser he couldn't afford the maintenance on the one you bought from him.

Also saw your other post about no heat and I would move that above the clicking issue since Idaho in February isn't warm enough to forego having heat.

 

[DodgeH8TER]

I guess putting 100k into another cruiser he couldn't afford the maintenance on the one you bought from him.

Also saw your other post about no heat and I would move that above the clicking issue since Idaho in February isn't warm enough to forego having heat.

So the heat works. I’m not gonna screw with the buttons for heat in fear I’ll loose it again lol.

 

[DodgeH8TER]

I guess putting 100k into another cruiser he couldn't afford the maintenance on the one you bought from him.

Also saw your other post about no heat and I would move that above the clicking issue since Idaho in February isn't warm enough to forego having heat.

Most of the money he has invested is in an LS swap and all of his BD lights. Probably close to 10k in just lights

 

[Brindleboxer]

Nice, I posted links in your other thread for the FSM and EWD for the 94. I would also suggest making a copy of the following and placing in your truck.

Emergency Troubleshooting Procedures - FAQ Item (Recommend Keeping Copy in Truck)

For updates or revisions, please PM me, nuclerlemon or semlin The below is a troubleshooting guide if your in the boonies to help isolate a non starting vehicle problem. This is a compilation from forum members, specifically RavenTai, KliersLC, Landtank and Beaowulf. This will not catch each...

forum.ih8mud.com

 

[DodgeH8TER]

Nice, I posted links in your other thread for the FSM and EWD for the 94. I would also suggest making a copy of the following and placing in your truck.

Emergency Troubleshooting Procedures - FAQ Item (Recommend Keeping Copy in Truck)

For updates or revisions, please PM me, nuclerlemon or semlin The below is a troubleshooting guide if your in the boonies to help isolate a non starting vehicle problem. This is a compilation from forum members, specifically RavenTai, KliersLC, Landtank and Beaowulf. This will not catch each...

forum.ih8mud.com

Thanks boss. Luckily working on dodges has got me quite used to having to jump and tow vehicles

 

[12bit]

delete. wrong thread.