Rattle Diagnosis (2 Viewers)

[tiomateo]

Starting a new thread here. @cruisermatt took a look at my truck after another shop was telling me this noise was the transfer case. Ultimately I am going to find a new home for this truck because it has too many other issues for me right now. But I can’t seem to let go of this rattle. I want to see if maybe this is the one thing I can fix before selling it.

Here is the video Matt took -

This video is on the right side of the truck, but I am not so sure it is the right front wheel. It sounds loud on driver side too. But def sounds like it’s coming from the front or middle of the vehicle.

Decided to opt out of spending $ and having him do a full diag, since there are many other issues with it.

Narrowed it down to:
Exhaust
U-Joint
Ball Joint
Wheel Bearing
CV joint


Clues:
I am not feeling any vibrations or roughness associated with the sound.
It starts at around 20mph, I believe it continues at higher speeds but the sound gets drowned out
From my research, it sounds most like an exhaust rattle. I know my cats are in bad shape. But if it was an exhaust, wouldn’t it happen when giving gas? Even if not moving?
I have tapped all around the cats and exhaust to see if there is loose metal in there, but not able to recreate the sound.
I have inspected all around for loose heat shields, can’t seem to find.

Wheel bearing issues on 100s sound more squeaky from what I’ve heard. But I’m thinking this steel is most likely.

U joint and ball joint noises sound CLUNKIER from what I’ve heard.

This is a METALLIC, hollowish rattle, and not rhythmic. Random.

TLDR: whats your gut feeling with this sound? Any ideas for steps should I take to try to self diagnose this with beginner mechanical skills?

 

[cruisermatt]

Actually, the first thing I thought of was exhaust heat shield. We did put it on the lift really quick to see if it was just that but unfortunately it was all tight. That would have been a nice quick fix. :sad:

I think it is CV / wheel bearing personally

 

[MongooseGA]

To me it sounds like something is loose. It doesn't sound to me like it's a typical heat shield rattle because it doesn't seem to be tied to engine revs.

 

[tiomateo]

Thanks guys, I'm gonna try to check the wheel bearings this week. I think I can handle replacing the bearing assembly, but if its the CV axle I dont think thats doable at my skill level...

 

[MongooseGA]

Thanks guys, I'm gonna try to check the wheel bearings this week. I think I can handle replacing the bearing assembly, but if its the CV axle I dont think thats doable at my skill level...

If you can do the bearings, you'll be able to do the CVs. There are a bunch of good DIY videos on YouTube that can help give you confidence. I was intimidated by it at first but then some angels like @Dirt J swapped one in to my truck in about 30 minutes trail side and doing it myself shortly after (replaced trail unit with new OEM) was a breeze.

 

[isagard]

Sounds kind of similar to something in my 100, is it kind of jingling from the center?

There's a metal ring at the output shaft of the transfer case that got loose on mine. Happened after I snapped my driveshaft on a trail. I never really solved it, just learned to live with it. Seems like it's not doing any harm.

You can pretty easily check if this is what's happening, just get underneath and check around the transfer case output shaft, if find a metal ring that's jingling around that could be it.

 

[tiomateo]

Sounds kind of similar to something in my 100, is it kind of jingling from the center?

There's a metal ring at the output shaft of the transfer case that got loose on mine. Happened after I snapped my driveshaft on a trail. I never really solved it, just learned to live with it. Seems like it's not doing any harm.

You can pretty easily check if this is what's happening, just get underneath and check around the transfer case output shaft, if find a metal ring that's jingling around that could be it.

Interesting. I know it has a leak in the rear output shaft, but if the ring was loose I feel like they would have caught it. Will check that out. Thank you!

 

[MongooseGA]

Interesting. I know it has a leak in the rear output shaft, but if the ring was loose I feel like they would have caught it. Will check that out. Thank you!

In the same thought process, thinking of what could be loose that has the heft to make the sort of noise you're experiencing, maybe check that you don't have any loose exhaust clamps or things of that nature. It sounds like a small part with some decent density/weight to it, IMO. Clamps on boots may be another to check.

 

[ssmalls]

Starting a new thread here. @cruisermatt took a look at my truck after another shop was telling me this noise was the transfer case. Ultimately I am going to find a new home for this truck because it has too many other issues for me right now. But I can’t seem to let go of this rattle. I want to see if maybe this is the one thing I can fix before selling it.

Here is the video Matt took -

This video is on the right side of the truck, but I am not so sure it is the right front wheel. It sounds loud on driver side too. But def sounds like it’s coming from the front or middle of the vehicle.

Decided to opt out of spending $ and having him do a full diag, since there are many other issues with it.

Narrowed it down to:
Exhaust
U-Joint
Ball Joint
Wheel Bearing
CV joint


Clues:
I am not feeling any vibrations or roughness associated with the sound.
It starts at around 20mph, I believe it continues at higher speeds but the sound gets drowned out
From my research, it sounds most like an exhaust rattle. I know my cats are in bad shape. But if it was an exhaust, wouldn’t it happen when giving gas? Even if not moving?
I have tapped all around the cats and exhaust to see if there is loose metal in there, but not able to recreate the sound.
I have inspected all around for loose heat shields, can’t seem to find.

Wheel bearing issues on 100s sound more squeaky from what I’ve heard. But I’m thinking this steel is most likely.

U joint and ball joint noises sound CLUNKIER from what I’ve heard.

This is a METALLIC, hollowish rattle, and not rhythmic. Random.

TLDR: whats your gut feeling with this sound? Any ideas for steps should I take to try to self diagnose this with beginner mechanical skills?

Did you ever figure out what this is? I have the exact same annoying rattle.

 

[tiomateo]

Did you ever figure out what this is? I have the exact same annoying rattle.

Hi, it was the dust shield in the rear output of the transfer case. It had become loose and was bouncing around in there. We replaced it along w the bearing and seal.