So I've been listening to this squeaky, clicky, metallic strange sound from the front end of the rig for the last month or so...I had the front drive shaft out for service work, so I locked the dif and moved the rig with just the rear driveshaft, and I still had the same sound going on...so the usual grabbing of the front end components, wiggling stuff, I could not find what this sound was...Was it the hub?? I was about to pull the front wheels off and check the calipers and such, when I decided to rock the truck back and forth in park hard with the front wheel, I could hear the metallic click sound coming from the upper/middle L front of the engine? Hmm. I grabbed some tools and checked all the bolts on and around the motor mount, they were all tight...With the hood open, head down inside the engine compartment, and hands rocking the front tire back and forth, I could finally see what was happening...the left motor mount was separating the steel from the rubber, causing the sounds....Mystery over, part is on the way....

 

A mechanics stethoscope is a great help and an essential in any toolbox. It's far easier to isolate strange noises.

TIP: if they haven't been done before replace all of the engine and gearbox mounts but use LR OE in this instance as they are the best for once, Britparts collapse within a year I'm reliably informed.

TRICK: To check out your engine mounts jack up the engine under the sump by about 1" with it running using a piece of chipboard/partical board on a trolley jack and note the difference in vibes and cabin noise. You'll be amazed how quiet new mounts make the engine 'in car' noise reduce.