Mojave X - Front Right Wheel Area – Squeak/Chirp + Thud/Pop

[redclayrob]

Hey everyone,

New here and looking for some opinions.

On my Gladiator Mojave X, (6k miles and hasn’t been off road yet) I’ve started noticing a couple of noises, both from the front right wheel area:

1. Squeak/Chirp – Happens mostly at slow speeds going over small bumps (like in parking lots). Still there at higher speeds but hard to hear over road/engine noise. It’s been happening for a month or two, and lately it’s gotten louder and more frequent. Definitely doesn’t sound like the usual shock squeak.
2. Thud/Pop – Every so often, after sitting at a light and letting off the brakes, I’ll feel/hear a thump like something is sticking and then popping free.

I’ve attached videos of the sounds. The shorter video has the “thud” right at the start of the video. That is right after letting off the brakes after sitting at a red light for a couple minutes. Both issues seem to be coming from the same spot up front.

Has anyone run into this before (Gladiator or otherwise)? Curious if it sounds more like suspension bushings/links, brake hardware, or something else before I head to the dealer.

Thanks,
Rob

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[daveola210]

Its difficult to hear what you are talking about in the video but there have been many of us Mojave owners that have to get our shocks replaced due to them being bad. I had all 4 of mine replaced (warranty) at 27K miles. One front and one back were bad, but due to the mileage they did all four. The words you use to describe the noise is exactly the type of noises I was experiencing. I'd head to the dealer anyway since you're still under warranty.

 

[swtrailboss]

If you ever figure out what your thump feeling is after letting off the brake and start rolling from a stop please post. I suspect what could be the cause and had my truck to the dealer since the powertrain warranty is still good on it but I am currently in the “reprogramming/relearning“ phase of the trans and it still does it. It’s all about jumping through the protocol hoops but I suspect the trans is hanging up not downshifting until then. Feels kinda like when the splines or yolk in the old drivelines needed some grease. But it just couldn’t be that easy though

 

[redclayrob]

Before my post, I had only noticed the “thud” twice, both recently - but now it appears to be happening at least once every trip.
I have an appointment at the dealer this week and will update.

 

[redclayrob]

Update:
The tech couldn’t replicate the squeaking at first, even when I drove. Once he moved out of the passenger seat and sat in the back seat, the noise returned right away. He told me it seemed like suspension related, and that they’ve had “tons” of issues. Once we got back to the dealership and he went back to his bay and I went to the service desk, he told the service advisor he suspected there was an issue with the Rough Country power board on the passenger side. I asked them to remove it and let’s see - and the sound disappeared. After reinstalling, I’ve driven a week with no squeaks or thuds (like the brakes sticking and releasing). I paid an hour of labor for the remove and reinstall of the power board, which I’d agreed to ahead of time since it was easier than going to the installer. I’m just left wondering why it never squeaked with him in the passenger seat but started again as soon as he moved, and why he didn’t tell me directly that’s what he suspected and instead had the advisor tell me - could it have been a different issue that was noticed and fixed? Not that I’d be upset.

 

[Hootbro]

I’m just left wondering why it never squeaked with him in the passenger seat but started again as soon as he moved,

Probably just a the different weight distribution and torsional flex of the body by him just moving.

I had a new JK that would only make a body noise in a sharp continuing right hand turn like taking a highway cloverleaf off ramp at speed. Wind up being the passenger seat not torqued down properly and flexed with the body roll.

and why he didn’t tell me directly that’s what he suspected and instead had the advisor tell me -

Most dealerships, the techs are not allowed to offer opinions or talk directly to customer or customers talk directly to techs without going through the service advisor.

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