What is that sound?!?! - HELP

[Ra]

So my rig is well looked after 2000 TJ wrangler with around 240,000 clicks on it.

Started to make this noise about 4 months ago.

- Only start to hear it after about 15-20 mins of driving
- Occurs whether she's is in gear or neutral (5spd manual gearbox) and at all speeds.
- Had my front drive-shaft uni's replaced last week, noise still there.
- One thing to note although not sure if it's related, is I find it difficult to engage first gear when stationary, all other gears are super-smooth, and can easily engage first from another gear.
- Only hear it when im moving, no sound when stationary even with clutch engaged and in gear etc.

Please refer to the sound file below and listen out for the squeaky sounds. If anyone at all can offer advice on what the hell this sound is, it would be greatly appreciated.

http://www.tuniphotography.com/wp-conte ... pNoise.mp3" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[RAY185]

I don't think that weblink is pointing where you wanted it to.

[chris_stoffa]

I don't think that weblink is pointing where you wanted it to.

Yep, she is too cute to make squeaky noises

[sht50]

did they replace the centering ball in the double cardinal join?

[flyinwall]

is the noise constant or does it change with revs or vehicle speed

[GUtripper]

The clutch fork pivots on a ball and socket type arrangement, which is held in place by a wire clip.

Mine was making a noise sort of like a buggered thrust bearing rattle at idle, and on coasting in gear.

I found a broken wire clip, which is a $10 part (should be 10 cents more like). It was causing free play in the ball and socket, creating the noise.

Like all easy jobs, it's a hour or so work at least to get the gearbox out/off first though.

[Ra]

Fixed the link to the sound file.... *slaps self.

[RAY185]

Sorry, I can't hear it very well. Well not well enough to take a guess as to what it is. The noise I can kind of hear that I think you are talking about doesn't seem to be changing with speed/revs. Is that right?

btw, great photos man. Props.

[Ra]

Yeah, noise is not effected by speed variation, it's the same sound throughout.

What's weird, is it only starts about 15-20mins into my drive (viscosity ?), and I notice it more as I'm slowing down whether it's in gear or neutral. Mechanic want's to charge me $2k for second-hand gear-box including labor. Want to avoid it if I can.