I have a 99 Durango, 4x4. I have a ticking noise coming from the front axle. I thought it was the wheel bearings, but as I replaced them, I found out it was coming from the center of the axle, (Differential perhaps). It is consistant either in two wheel, or four wheel drive. Any help would be appriciated.

 

Does the ticking get louder or more frequent with engine speed or vehicle speed?

 

It gets faster with vehicle speed. Not really louder.

 

have you seviced your brakes lately? it may be somehting as simple as the stupid spring retainer clip isnt in all the way and may be rubbing or hitting.

 

Yes, new brakes. It was ticking before I changed them. When I had the truck up, I could hear it click when I turned the tire. Sounds like it's coming from the center of axle.

 

SRV:
Although it could be an issue with a bearing inside the differential, more likely it is a u joint issue, or a CV joint on one of the halfshafts. Both would be cheaper and thus preferable to the diff. Does the ticking sound change in any fashion when you make a turn??
If so, the CV joints are the place to start.

Don

 

I hear nothing when I turn. Only the same ticking noise.

 

SRV:
You might try getting the front of the D off of the ground on some good jack stands. Rotate the front wheels 1 at a time by hand while you listen down there and see if you can tell which side the clicking is coming from.
While you are down there, give things a really good look over and physically check for play in the CV joints.

Hope this helps. I know that noises like these can be a PITA. I was hearing a scraping sound on the front drive side wheel of the wifes GCV which turned out to bea clip on the caliper that had worked its way out and was just barely rubbing the inside of the rim. I could not see it though until I took the wheel off.

Good luck Don

 

I'll give it a try. Thank you for all the help. I'll let you know what I find.

 

I wonder how this one turned out. I'm getting a similar issue. very notable ticking and grinding sound from my front diff. It is very loud when you first get the truck moving or when turning. crawling under it all three seals on the diff look wet. it may simply be low fluid but why would all three seals go bad at the same time??? are there any high stress bearings in there?? tryin to get an idea about it before i go tearing it apart. its a '99 5.2 w/ 4wd pt manual shifter. Could it be the transfer case causing a problem??