Alright here is the background, last weekend I installed a lockrite in my rear d44. It worked as advertised for a couple days then all of a sudden I started getting a click going straight down the rode, so I just figured it was the lockrite. Well after pulling the carrier for the fourth time in the last week I finally decided to put the stock spiders gears back in to make sure it was the locker. It still clicked with the stock spiders in there.
The clicking noise is very similar to the soft click of the lockrite in corners. It only clicks when throttle is applied (i.e. push the clutch in and the clicking stops). The rate of clicks also increase with speed. The u-joints in the rear driveshaft are still good (only 400 street miles on it). So then I decided to pull the rear shaft and drive in front wheel drive to see if the noise still existed, and with it in front wheel drive the noise is gone and sounds like normal. Just curious what you guys think the problem could be, possibly a carrier or axle bearing (although they look and feel in good shape) or something else?????
-I also just checked the joints in the driveshaft for play and there is no play at all in it.

I think it would be in the transmission , as you stated the noise went away when the clutch was pushed in.

but if it was the transmission wouldn't the noise still be heard in front wheel drive.

oh yeah, its the 4 cyl with stock tranny and tcase (ax-5/np231) with waggy d44's f/r

T-case maybe? In rear wheel drive your chain isn't being driven, pulling the rear d-shaft and driving in front drive engages the chain. See if it does it in 4X4. I know my chain in the old 231 was stretched and it kinda chattered driving down the street.

Have you checked things like drive shaft U-joints, front hub bearings? I noticed a clicking sound which eventually turned into the chirping birds as a front U-joint went bad.

Putting the tranny in neutral and the clicking went away. Also putting it in 4wd took up the slack and the clicking went away.


Tom

Originally posted by mudpup
Alright here is the background, last weekend I installed a lockrite in my rear d44. It worked as advertised for a couple days then all of a sudden I started getting a click going straight down the rode, so I just figured it was the lockrite. Well after pulling the carrier for the fourth time in the last week I finally decided to put the stock spiders gears back in to make sure it was the locker. It still clicked with the stock spiders in there.
The clicking noise is very similar to the soft click of the lockrite in corners. It only clicks when throttle is applied (i.e. push the clutch in and the clicking stops). The rate of clicks also increase with speed. The u-joints in the rear driveshaft are still good (only 400 street miles on it). So then I decided to pull the rear shaft and drive in front wheel drive to see if the noise still existed, and with it in front wheel drive the noise is gone and sounds like normal. Just curious what you guys think the problem could be, possibly a carrier or axle bearing (although they look and feel in good shape) or something else?????
-I also just checked the joints in the driveshaft for play and there is no play at all in it.

Well it sounds like the chain "could" be stretched. An easy check for that is to put it in 4lo and crank the wheels all the way to one side. While on dry pavement corner as tight as possible in 4lo. If the chain is stretched it will *pop* as it skips teeth. If no pop then I'd wager it's OK.

Then you've narrowed it down to to the rear. Check the u-joints again and maybe replace for the hell of it (hey you'll have spares if nothing else). Make sure you put the bearing caps in the way they were originally placed. If you flop them around it can cause wear on the bearings (caps and housing are worn in the same fashion when you first pull it apart) due to slight misalignment. The bearing can not seat properly with this, wear faster, and possibly chatter. However, it would seem that this would be present always and not just when torque is applied to the rear. Also check your pinion nut to see if it's loose. Check torque on bearing caps, etc. A slight misalignment can cause all sorts of trouble. Also don't forget to update when you finally find the cause:beer:

Thanks guys, I'll pull the back half of the t-case off this weekend and also check the front u-joints.

Originally posted by tjsahara99
Have you checked things like drive shaft U-joints, front hub bearings? I noticed a clicking sound which eventually turned into the chirping birds as a front U-joint went bad.

Putting the tranny in neutral and the clicking went away. Also putting it in 4wd took up the slack and the clicking went away.


Tom

With manual hubs the front shafts shouldn't turn when in 2wd, so I don't think that is it. The bearing caps are also on right.
I just went and tried the 4-lo thing on pavement and there was some popping, and it did feel like there could have been some slack so I will be sure check it out this weekend (have to go back to summer school today so don't have time or else I would go do it now)