Click, click, clank

[Chucktown Mako]

Hello All, I pray someone can help:

I have this persistent clicking noise that is driving me batty. It happens while in motion, from 35mph to around 50-60mph or when there is too much road noise to hear it. It is a very light clicking sound, sounds like a wire is slapping something. I have taken it to 2 different mechanics, 1 trans specialists and they can't figure it out. The only suspect I have is something with the trans. It is now making a similar click when I put it in reverse, along with the usual clank that it has always done. (I have changed my trans filter and added 4 quarts of new fluid, which has not helped the clicking sound, but my trans is shifting a little better.)

The click is not consistent with a wheel bearing, U-Joint, or valve tapping. Anyone have similar issues? A friend mentioned an episode on "Truck U", they did something to the transfer case that can go bad, making a clicking sound. I have been unable to find this...

Any ideas? I know this is very limited info, but never hurts to ask!
I am perplexed, frustrated and tired.

Thanks!!!

 

[Mac]

Correct me if I'm wrong guys, but I believe pan and filter change takes 5 quarts to refill.....

As for the clicking sound, unless you narrow it down. It could be anything.

 

[Nickleahy23]

does it make a difference if you turn right or left while its making the noise? exhaust leak?

 

[Chucktown Mako]

Correct me if I'm wrong guys, but I believe pan and filter change takes 5 quarts to refill.....



As for the clicking sound, unless you narrow it down. It could be anything.

Couldn't drop the pan fully, so there was some leftover fluid in the pan. Fought that thing for an hour trying to get it out, hence it only taking 4 quarts. <--- I may be a dipstick, but I can read one too!

I know, I know, it could be anything. Not an exhaust leak, that would be at any MPH, not just 35+. At 35 mph+, I do not turn the wheel that sharply, but if I recall, it does make the sound while driving on the on/off ramp from the interstate.

I know without hearing it for yourself, diagnosis on the internet is close to impossible, but I thought I would try. The tick/click is not consistent like a wheel bearing would be, it is intermittent but constant. Never fails, 30-35 mph+ I start to hear it...

 

[Thumper8302]

any way u can tell if its coming from the front or rear of the vehicle? get that thing lifted up in the air throw it in gear (make sure its lifted from the frame lol) and have somebody listen to it from underneath... i had a brake place do that for me so i could figure out where the sound was comin from in my burban when my rearend started to go out on me.. hope this helps u diagnose it.... but i would say its from the tranfer case (if u have 4wd) back

 

[Chucktown Mako]

any way u can tell if its coming from the front or rear of the vehicle? get that thing lifted up in the air throw it in gear (make sure its lifted from the frame lol) and have somebody listen to it from underneath... i had a brake place do that for me so i could figure out where the sound was comin from in my burban when my rearend started to go out on me.. hope this helps u diagnose it.... but i would say its from the tranfer case (if u have 4wd) back

Think I may try that. Had it on the lift, but couldn't find anything. I will see if a mechanic will let me put it in gear while up there. Transfer case is a good guess and I will definitely check that out. Report back in a couple days, maybe with some pics, if we can figure it out.

Cheers.

 

[Nickleahy23]

ive never heard of a tcase clicking....if its making a noise on the on/off ramp, id say its a wheel bearing/cv joint/ something in the front end..my wheel bearing is going out and it only makes noise once and a while..sometimes a clicking, sometimes a screeching lol...gotta fix that shit

 

[Chucktown Mako]

ive never heard of a tcase clicking....if its making a noise on the on/off ramp, id say its a wheel bearing/cv joint/ something in the front end..my wheel bearing is going out and it only makes noise once and a while..sometimes a clicking, sometimes a screeching lol...gotta fix that shit

The on/off ramp was just saying it still does it while turning, not exclusively. It's not a wheel bearing. Replaced plenty of those on plenty of vehicles. It's a much lighter sounding click/tick.
Wheel bearings are much more consistent, click-click-click, with the revolution of the wheel and bearing. This is more of a ka-click-ka-click-click....

Think I am going to take it back to the transmission guy, he is kind of hard-of-hearing and could not hear it while going on the test drive.

 

[smurphy80]

Sway bar end link? I had one go out and it was very faint...not all the time, just over certain bumps or cracks in the road.

 

[Chucktown Mako]

Update: Just put it up on a lift and got it up to speed. Where was the noise coming from??....drum roll..... Transfer Case!!!

Mechanic says its most likely the chain in the case that is snapped. Going to try to take it to a transmission specialist today. At this very moment, I feel $400 disappearing out of my pocket...