Rear wheel popping sound

[jbaker4341]

I'm getting a popping type sound coming from my rear drivers side wheel. Its seems worse when backing up and turning. At first, I thought it was the wheel bearing so I had those replaced at an auto shop. Still getting the same symptoms after the bearing replacement. I have 35" tires with lift, Dana 44 rear end with 4.56 gear ratio, Limited slip diff. I replaced the diff oil not to long ago and didn't notice any broken gears or metal pieces floating around. Any ideas what could be causing the noises?

 

[Belizean]

Have you checked the drive shafts and the u-joints ?

 

[jbaker4341]

No, I haven’t checked those. I can check tomorrow after work though.

 

[jbaker4341]

The Jeep also has drum brakes. Maybe something with the brakes is causing the issue?

 

[Lumpy Grits]

Stop driving it!
Jack it up and see how much flop you feel in the rear wheel.
I'm think'n you spun a hub if you're run'n that OEM 2-piece axle.
LG

 

[jbaker4341]

I jacked the Jeep up today and checked the tire for wobble or free play and it seemed good. I couldn’t produce any abnormal wiggle. What do you mean by spun a hub? Sorry kinda new to some of this.

 

[oldjeeplady]

I'm thinking Lumpy is referring to an AMC20 rear, but you said you have a Dana 44 rear. Could be wrong, though.. Does your emergency brake work properly? I would sure check the brakes and make sure all is well, and you don't have a loose linkage or ebrake problem. On only one side, so does it do the same thing in reverse? Is it possible there something not completely releasing in your Limited slip? You are not in 4wd, right?

 

[oldjeeplady]

Sorry, you said it was worse when backing, I read that first post wrong. Brakes are still a possible source.

 

[Lumpy Grits]

Disregard about the 2-piece axle remark I made.
You won't have that with a 44.

How much play can you feel in the u-joints in the rear DS?
You should not have any........
LG

 

[JR74CJ5]

Also just check like OJL suggested kind of - when backing up are you grabbing the ebrake cables or something with the tire knobbies? Or is it flexing enough in reverse to grab something in the wheel-well body?

Have a buddy slowly move it backwards while you watch carefully for where sound seems to come from.

Does it do it on jackstands too and free spinning reverse with Transfer Case in N? If so, you can rule out from the Transfer Case up and focus on driveline through 3rd member to hubs...

If you just had a shop change the wheel bearings, they'd have had to remove the brakes, so they should have noticed if something was wrong there while doing it, which is why I'd move closer towards tire grabbing something or driveline.

If it doesn't do it on jacks, could still be something external placed different when sitting on suspension etc...

 

[jbaker4341]

So just an update. I added some differential additive to the rear end and it fixed the problem. No more clunking or popping what’s so ever!