1970 bronco clicking while driving

[DWest]

Clicking while driving. The U-joint are new, I have check the fluid level in front and rear differential, and transfer case. I have had it on jack stands and it doesn’t click. It only clicks while driving. Requesting some input what I need to check. This is my first post, so hopefully I know how to use this.

Thank you in advance.

 

[Broncobowsher]

Lugnuts come to mind. I have had them bottomed out but the wheel wasn't tight.
Bad wheel bearing.

Does it change with load? On/off throttle?

Was the new U-joint an attempt to fix this? Was the noise there before? Just because the U-joint is new, doesn't mean it is good.

 

[Bruners4]

Two things come to mind...
1. Big rock stuck in the tire tread.
2. Something metal stuck in the tire that hasn't punctured it causing an air leak.

 

[Chiclassics]

any feel for the origin of clicking , if you stick your ear out can you hear it coming from wheels vs from under vehicle ?
what are the characteristics of clicking noise - is it metal sounding , vs non metal
and as Broncobowsher asked whats the history , was it not there before and got introduced when you changes the U-joints

 

[m_m70]

Two things come to mind...
1. Big rock stuck in the tire tread.
2. Something metal stuck in the tire that hasn't punctured it causing an air leak.

This has happened to me many times.....

 

[Johnnyb]

I experienced this once years ago and failed to diagnose it correctly. I replaced the wheel bearings and u joints and the clicking continued. Then the driver side axle shaft busted outside the bearing sending the wheel flying off into a field.
When I replaced the axle shaft (and backing plate), obviously with a new wheel bearing, the clicking was gone.

-JB

 

[ared77]

Welcome! As you can see you've come to the right place

 

[Johnnyb]

Another thought, was the centering bearing changed with the u joints?

-JB

 

[nvrstuk]

10 + potential "clicking" noise causes come to mind but let me ask you this first...

Are both hubs in "FREE" or "LOCK" positions? Put them both in lock and drive with the t-case still in 2wd assuming you don't have a mechanical locker of some type installed?

You don't mention anything about where the ticking noise is coming from so this is just one of 10 "UN"common clicking noise generators... lol

Also, we don't know if the ujoints that were replaced were in the front axle or if they were in the drive shafts (I think that's what we're all assuming tho).

 

[DirtDonk]

Steel wheels? Hubcaps or no?
All original, or heavily modified? Somewhere in-between?
What year and model Bronco is it? The '70 in your bio?
How many miles? And do you know if the rear wheel bearings have ever been replaced?

By the way, on that last one, if you have more than 100k miles on the clock, and you're sure the wheel bearings are original, then it's time to change them.
Anything can click on a Bronco. Well, almost anything that is. Maybe something got out of alignment and is just being nicked as it rolls along. Maybe it's more serious like a failing differential, or a front wheel bearing that has not been serviced since the last century. Or heck, a rock, or nail or screw stuck in one of the tires!

Paul

 

[Master Chief]

New wheels? Wheel weight possibly striking a front caliper.

 

[Yeller]

My speedometer clicks. The cable turns free and doesn’t click disconnected from the speedometer.

 

[DirtDonk]

Good call!
Been awhile since I’ve had that happen, but it’s a real thing that can fool you as to where it’s coming from.

 

[nvrstuk]

Hub not engaged 100% completely clicks as you drive.