MJ Triton making a wierd clunking noise??

[VHPirie]

Bought an MJ Triton the other day. Got it cheap as, so was expecting it to have a few issues. Took it up in the hills yesterday and it makes a wierd clunking noise, when in 4WD under a fair bit of strain.

Here's a short video of it making the sound.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5xQlDDHi2YQ

Anyone have any ideas? I turned the front tailshaft and it seems smooth, so don't think it's uni's. Could it be the cv's, or maybe something worse?

[Jonezy01]

Does it still drive smooth when it clunks (can you feel it through the drive line at all). almost sounds like it could be the diff, its sounds to loud and the wrong sort of noise to be CV's.

Jack the front up and turn the wheels should help narrow down where the noise is comming from.

[VHPirie]

Yeah can definitely feel it through the drive line. Will jack it up and see if we can find anything wrong.

[bakerboy]

only in 4wd? if so i had a similar thing happen yesterday, after a lot of crossed up action the front end was terrible shudders etc, took it out of 4wd and it was all sweet (hubs unlocked).

Came to a tricky section where it required 4wd, still klunky like when i did my rear axle and diff, by the time i climbed the top, no for klunking and got full 4wd function.

I am assuming (as i have a cv the slides in and out of the hub a bit) the it articulated and it popped out, and back in again. something to check?

[VHPirie]

I am assuming (as i have a cv the slides in and out of the hub a bit) the it articulated and it popped out, and back in again. something to check?

How would I check if the CV pops in and out?

I got a gopro camera, might have to mount it underneath and go do some climbing, see if it shows anything.

[bakerboy]

by feel, and seeing if the boots have been stretched or torn, my drivers side inner boot has torn, confirming my initial thoughts of a cv popping out

[VHPirie]

Haven't had a look yet, been busy with work. But just noticed it also makes the noise when reversing off a curb at full lock. Not sure if it does it going forward, but when I reverse out onto the road when leaving my place (got a small curb to go down) while turning, it does it as well.

I'm pretty sure it's the same noise, just doesn't sound as bad, not as solid, maybe coz now I'm in 2WD not 4WD (hubs are unlocked too) and it isn't transferring through the driveline.

The only other 4b's we've had/got have never done anything like this, so never played with CV's before, never even pulled one out.

If it is the CV popping in and out, how is it fixed? New CV's?

Only thing tho, I guess if both sounds are the same thing, then it may not be a CV as when I go off the curb it's in 2WD with the hubs unlocked.....hmmm weird. I just gotta get off me bum and have a look so I know wat's goin on lol.

[bakerboy]

a clicking kind of sound? could be a few things including busted cv, or full lock nut rubbing in the metal stop, more than likely busted cv,

[bakerboy]

jeebus, just managed to get the youtube video to load, most deff a rooted cv

[VHPirie]

How easy are they to replace? Would I need any special tools?

Had a look on eBay and a few sellers have them for roughly $220 for both, that sound ok? Might give Repco a buzz in the morning and see what their price is. If they're that cheap I may as well do both anyways.

[Pajero 4D56]

I don't think it was the CV joint as it will happen only on full lock,but this is happen on a slight steering angle and most of it are on straight and it was loud

I think it was the Transfer-Case Chain,the chain might be stressed and drag along the sprocket teeth "jump teeth" ......anyway,do you feel any shock or vibration though the gear lever or the Transfer-Lever

[VHPirie]

Can definitely feel it through the gear lever, haven't put my hand on the transfer lever tho, will check that next time.

The noise which happens backing off a curb seems to be different.

It definitely only happens in 4WD, it does it if take off quick, I guess when all the torque gets put through it. If I full lock and turn around it does it easy as, easier then when it's in a straight line, I guess that could be from extra force from the wheels binding up or sumfin?? That would mean it could be in the CV's then hey?

The noise seems to be from the tailshaft (front one), but I guess that doesn't narrow it down at all as it's all connected.

The CV's seem ok, but can't be sure. The passenger side has a torn boot. I can't get under much tho, I'm a big lad lol. Me bro's gonna chuck it on the hoist at his work on Saturday, so hopefully he can find something.

[bakerboy]

Can definitely feel it through the gear lever, haven't put my hand on the transfer lever tho, will check that next time.

The noise which happens backing off a curb seems to be different.

It definitely only happens in 4WD, it does it if take off quick, I guess when all the torque gets put through it. If I full lock and turn around it does it easy as, easier then when it's in a straight line, I guess that could be from extra force from the wheels binding up or sumfin?? That would mean it could be in the CV's then hey?

The noise seems to be from the tailshaft (front one), but I guess that doesn't narrow it down at all as it's all connected.

The CV's seem ok, but can't be sure. The passenger side has a torn boot. I can't get under much tho, I'm a big lad lol. Me bro's gonna chuck it on the hoist at his work on Saturday, so hopefully he can find something.

im still gonna say its possible CV damage, fingers crossed as its a cheaper and easier fix than the transfer case

[VHPirie]

Me bro said they got some gadget at his work, where u hook up an alligator clip onto sumfin, and it has a wire on it which goes into a box, then into some head phones....pretty much an electronic version of the stethoscope. I tried the stethoscope last night on it but can't get it clunking when it not moving so they don't really help. This gadget at his work ya can hook up and go for a drive, so that might give us a better indication. We'll see anyways.

If it's the diff centre, I wanna weld that up anyways, so all the guts will be ripped out. Haven't even seen inside of these diffs tho, only use to our Commodore diffs, I guess both would be similar as both are open centres.

[epitrochoid]

the noise at full lock is the steering lock stops rubbing against the lower control arm as the suspensions moves when you go off the curb. my MJ triton does the exact same thing.
The other noise could very well be the front diff as it is bloody loud!! If it is the front diff you can unbolt the cover to see if there is any damage.

REgards

epitrochoid

[Pajero 4D56]

The easiest way is to jack the whole car up with all 4 wheel on the air and put the Transfer-Lever to 4WD mode......start it up and try to observe where is the noise came from

[VHPirie]

Just an update....had a look this morning at the transfer rubber mount and it's absolutely shagged, nothing left of it.....new one will be in 2morrow, so hopefully that fixes it!

[kingy2511]

Mine does exactly the same thing? It sounds like it is coming from front left!.. I knw for positive it is not the C.V joints as i can load them up nd they make no noise at all. I have replaced both gearbox mounts.. But still no go mmmm weird?