Getting a clicking sound from under the right side of the truck, it only happens when going fwd to include 4 low. I inspected the u-joints recently and they seem serviceable and are lubed, the double u was rebuilt at 70,000 (now at 152,000) but the center ball was not replaced as it looked good at the time so I re-installed it. The other u-joints have not been touched but just inspected. Put the truck on jacks and attempted to find noise while in gear wheels turning but no luck, it sems to only happen with wheels on the ground. Any ideas or suggestions on troubleshooting will be appreciated.

 

what does "u-joints recently and they seem serviceable" mean? they should be lubed at every oil change or if you do a water crossing. the front drive shaft should have 3 u greasable u joints a greasable slip shaft and you need to remove the shaft to grease the centering ball. The rear has one greasable u joint and a greasable slip shaft.

 

I think you misread my post, the statement reads "inspected the u-joints recently" meaning I visually looked at them to ensure they were not loose or worn and based on that visual inspection they looked ok. Also, there is only one greasable u-joint on the front shaft with a grease point for the sliding spline joint (greasable shaft) with two non greasable u-joints in the double u or cardon (hookes) joint. The rear shaft is as you stated and all have been lubed as required. I rebuilt the double u-joint once without changing the center ball but inspected it and lubed before reassembling. All that said, I just wanted to put some background to the moving parts in the hopes that someone may have an idea where the clicking could be coming from to help me troubleshoot more effectively. I've thought of a few areas like the CV joint, transfer case, wheel bearing etc, but had hoped the forum may have someone with a similar issue possibly solved, if for nothing else another point of view...thanks for the feedback though.

 

Sounds like its time to rebuild your double cardon again.

 

"Doesn't make clicking noise unless the wheels are on the ground"

Sounds like it could be a failed CV Joint. But, if I were you I would replace or repair the drive shaft again, regardless.

 

u got a phone or camera that can capture video and upload it to youtube or something?

 

I will take "click, click click" for $150. The answer is: Discovery double cardan sealed joints are prone to failure from the heat of the converter within inches because the grease inside them bakes out. They should always be replaced with grease-able joints, and greased at every oil change or a minimum of twice a year, more if you wade your vehicle. If you replaced them at 70,000 miles for maintenance, or because they were going bad, and you have put 82,000 on the sealed joints that replaced the OEM sealed joints, it stands to reason that it is time to change them again.

*I meant this to be slightly amusing and originally made a remark about another member's posts, but removed it because I am not like him.

 

it wasnt the fact that you inspected them that was confusing, it's the "seem"... either they are or they aren't. From your reply i understand they are not. Therefore it's time to rebuild, if i were you i would use greasable joints this time. again who the heck knows as we are taking shots in the dark. anything could be clicking. take a video and post it as stated before. and just because it only happens when the wheels are on the ground means nothing. the drive shafts only have to spin the tires when the truck is in the air. when the truck is on the ground the shafts actually have to move the truck along.

 

Loud and clear all...thanks for the good input, I will rebuild both shafts and install greasable u's in the cardon joint (didn't before due to ignorance). Searched the forum and got a tip on Neapco joints and center ball sold by Advance Auto so I'll be getting those, if that don't fix it I'll post an audio file for scrutiny.

 

sounds good. good luck.