Chirping Bronco, WTFO?

Mikey · Nov 12, 2006

Recently, my Bronco began chirping like a feaking bird. Happens only at acceleration under a load and seems a bit worse when cold. I'm assuming either belts or exhaust leak. Seems to come from the back of the engine, driver's side. Belts are new, but broken in, seem tight. Exhaust bolts are all tight and no obvious cracks or gasket blow outs.

Oh yea...I have a fairly stock 302 with C4.

Like I said, I'm pretty sure it's an elusive exhaust leak. I plan on changing to headers this spring so I don't plan on changing gaskets right now to chase this problem.

Any other ideas?

Maybe I can cruise through a bird preserve and see how many birds become amorous with the old Bronc! ;D

Broncobowsher · Nov 12, 2006

How are your U-joints? When dry they can chirp like a bird, worse under load. At this point gease is too late. May hide the noise but the innards will already be shot by now.

Mikey · Nov 12, 2006

U-joints are about a year old....Spicers. I packed 'em with grease. CVs are old, though. Packed those when I put in the new U-joints.

Sounds like it's coming from the engine compartment rather than underneath and not that far back.

Thanks, though. Hmmmmmmmm.....

Broncobowsher · Nov 12, 2006

Did you get the centering ball on the CV as well. It's the 3rd grease fitting on the CV that isn't either of the U-joints. Often overlooked and I have destroyed one myself due to lack of maintance/ignorance of it.

scsm76 · Nov 12, 2006

If his is a auto check your torque converter bolts.

TOFIC · Nov 12, 2006

alternator bearings???

Mikey · Nov 13, 2006

Broncobowsher said:
Did you get the centering ball on the CV as well. It's the 3rd grease fitting on the CV that isn't either of the U-joints. Often overlooked and I have destroyed one myself due to lack of maintance/ignorance of it.

I think so....is it the one that requires the needle fitting to the grease gun?

Mikey · Nov 13, 2006

TOFIC said:
alternator bearings???

Wrong side of the engine. Sounds like the rear driver's side.

Mikey · Nov 13, 2006

scsm76 said:
If his is a auto check your torque converter bolts.

It's a C4. Why would the torque converter bolts being loose cause a chirping sound? I'm intrigued as this is about the right area....back of the engine driver's side. It's hard to locate exactly where as it's very very faint when not under a load and manually revving the engine while listening under the hood. It's somewhere around the valve cover to steering column and power brake area.

crazymofo97 · Nov 14, 2006

My Uncle had the same problem with his bronco. After he whent wheeling in Gilbert, MN he had a cherping nose coming from the engine. He looked into it and found out he spun a berring on his crankshaft. The noise you here might be an early warning or a possible problem. Also dose the noise get faster in repition as the motor rpms get faster? Might be worth a look.

scsm76 · Nov 14, 2006

Why would the torque converter bolts being loose cause a chirping sound?

The last trip I took, a Heep in the group was making a chirping then turned to a clicking and it turned out to be the torque converter bolts were loose. Just throwing out things to check.

mrw · Nov 14, 2006

My wife took her 79 Bronk wheeling last month and got that chirping sound. It is one of the u-joints in the front axle but sounds like it's further back. I keep driving it around town until it gets bad enough to readily identify which one. Most likely yours is a u-joint as they are wear parts.

An easy way to check is to pull the front driveshaft and drive it around. If the noise is gone it's the double cardon or the diff side joint. If not it might be one of the axle joints. You might even find out which one while you're pulling it. If it's not the front driveshaft it only cost you an hour or so and you crossed a possibility off the list.

Good luck!

BwoncoHowie · Nov 14, 2006

So, You dont actually have to be moving down the road to hear this chirping noise?

Does it change pitch when you put it into gear?

I would be checking exhaust leaks, and torque converter nuts. Check your throttle linkage too, it can squeak if it needs oil on the pivot points. Mechanical fuel pumps can chirp too when they are getting ready to quit working.

Mikey · Nov 14, 2006

It will very faintly chirp if I rev the engine with my hand while under the hood. Not the front U joint as it's not turning while the front stick is in neutral. I'm pretty sold on exhuast noise but can look at the converter bolts.

crazymofo97...Don't scare me like that!!! I HOPE it's not a spun bearing.

Chirps louder under load...not so much faster.

NorCalBronco · Nov 14, 2006

I had this same problem, I thought it was a exhaust leak that I couldn't find also. My motor was pretty old and it turned out that I had to retorque the intake manifold, so you might want to check that

Mikey · Nov 16, 2006

NorCalBronco said:
I had this same problem, I thought it was a exhaust leak that I couldn't find also. My motor was pretty old and it turned out that I had to retorque the intake manifold, so you might want to check that

Intake manifold!?!?!?

Really! Wow! would've never thought of that! Makes good sense as I installed a Mustang GT aluminum intake last year and the gaskets may have relaxed a bit...just enough to chirp!

Thanks!
Mikey

SteveL · Nov 17, 2006

is the exhaust rubbing metal somewhere. The chirp is metal on metal. If a bracket is loose or moved it will caise it. It also would make it worse under load when motor is shifting over.

Mikey · Nov 17, 2006

SteveL said:
is the exhaust rubbing metal somewhere. The chirp is metal on metal. If a bracket is loose or moved it will caise it. It also would make it worse under load when motor is shifting over.

I'll have a look this weekend. Gotta change rear axle bearings on my 86 Capri. Finally started making noise after 266,000 miles! Original 5.0L and AOD!
;D

Mikey · Nov 18, 2006

Well, I tightened my intake bolts and also found one of my exhaust pipes riding against the radius arm brackets. So, I got a crow bar and pried the pipes a little bit away from the bracket. Now, most of the time, no more chirping. Once in awhile it does so I guess I might need to pry some more!

Thanks!!!
Mikey

NorCalBronco · Nov 18, 2006

Good to hear

Chirping Bronco, WTFO?

Bronco Guru

Total hack

Bronco Guru

Total hack

Bronco Guru

Bronco Wrencher and Fixer

Bronco Guru

Bronco Guru

Bronco Guru

New Member

Bronco Guru

Full Member

C-4 Wizard

Bronco Guru

Jr. Member

Bronco Guru

Huge chevy guy

Bronco Guru

Bronco Guru

Jr. Member

Similar threads