Clacking noise from the front left

[alexgacir]

I recently started having a clacking noise coming from the front left of my jeep, down near the wheel. It is made with each rotation, and I assumed it was a rock or nail. I have looked multiple time and have not found anything stuck in the tire.

It sounds pretty close to the cowbell in this youtube video

I would appreciate anybodies help on what this could be as I don't know a lot about jeeps as of yet.


It does it whenever the tire makes a rotation, so no noise when turning the wheel or w/e just when it rotates and it gets slower or faster depending on my speed.

 

[69jeepcj]

I could be a couple things. wheelbearing, front axle ujoint, brakes.. My bet is the brakes, worn down pads, or possibly the caliper. my experience in the past with this type of sound was the front rotor was just a tad warped and when the rotor spun it would bump the brake pad which was worn down pretty low anyway allowing it to move just a bit making that noise each rotation. If you replace your front pads I bet it will be gone, or better yet the rotor and pads.

 

[southtj]

More cowbell!! That's exactly what Blue Oyster Cult needed. :funny:

 

[RudeDog]

Have you tried jacking the front off the ground and rotating the tire & wheel to see if it does it, and to see if you can track it down? Might also just rotate left and right and listen/look for issues. Try hands at 9 & 3, rock left-right, then 6 & 12 rock top- bottom. Sloppy, clankin? Where, search? Also easier to have someone else under watching while you to do this. Remove tire and wheel check Brakes...

 

[alexgacir]

Okay, thank you for the info. I will check those out on my next day off and see what I can find. I appreciate the help, and will report back here once I have delved further into this issue.

 

[alexgacir]

Turned out to be my front left center cap, 2 of the bolts that hold it on had broken off and it was wobbling on every rotation. I jacked it up, took of the wheel and unbolted the 2 remaining bolts. The noise is gone and I'm happy to have saved some serious money.

 

[RudeDog]

Awesome possum!!! Good deal...