[Jeepva]

Had my FWD Sport 08 about 2 months now. I occasionally hear a popping noise from the front of the vehicle when accelerating and braking. Just one pop or clunk and only happens occasionally. Sounds like it is coming from the right front wheel area. Could be the drive train or the suspension but it is hard to tell. Sound like something is loose and when I accelerate from a dead stop or brake and the vehicle is almost stopped it will make that popping or clunking noise as if something is binding and the tension is released when accelerating and braking. Reminds me of my 99 F150 that made about the same noise accelerating and braking. This was caused by the drive shaft spline that goes into the transmission which was binding. It binds up instead of sliding freely and would make a clunk sound. The Ford dealer greased it but only helped for while and they finally change the spline shaft. Just wondering if any of you had the same thing or any ideas.

UPDATE: 8/5/2008
Took the PAT to dealer. However I wasn't expecting much from them but they took it in right away and tighten suspension bolts and now good as new.

 

[trout]

Same thing here. Have an appointment today with the dealer to have it looked at. This will now be the second trip for the same problem. The first time they replaced the sway bar bushings, but obviously that was not the cause of the noise. Hopefully we can get it straightened out today.

 

[trout]

Wanted to give a quick follow up to the issue I was having. Turns out it was just a few loose bolts on the cross member. Glad it wasn't anything mores serious, though it was a bit of a headache for a few loose bolts.

 

[matg]

I have this same problem. I may take my patriot in tomorrow but i wonder if they'll even believe me if I tell them to just tighten the bolts. I HOPE I can recreate the noise for them somehow. Should I go to a Dodge\Jeep dealer or the place I just bought my Patriot which is a Ford dealer?
This noise seems to happen more often when Im trying to get to highway speed and rev around 4k rpm or higher. Does happen during breaking too. Other than this small issue I love my Patriot.

 

[Metaxa]

Thanks for updating the post with solutions, it helps everyone.

And nice to hear you found solutions.

Matg, any competent mechanic will be able to ID front end slop, bushings, loose bolts, etc.
Wheel bearings and etc are easy to diagnose as well. The only difference a Jeep dealer will offer on an out of warranty unit is their techs see way more Dodge/Jeep vehicles I imagine. That might, may be a help.

 

[matg]

Thanks Metaxa. Ill try taking it in tomorrow morning at the Dodge dealer and hopefully be ready after I get out of work. Ill update this thread with what I find out. Seems like it should be the same solution as what Trout found out.

I actually bought warranty from the Ford dealer for 4 years 48k miles. They claim the warranty will work for any dealer. Ill find out for sure because I am not going to pay for this. This is day 5 with my Patriot so Im itching to take it off the pavement. That popping noise makes me nervous about going off road.

 

[matg]

I took my Patriot to the place I bought it to get It checked out. I drove with the mechanic to recreate the popping noise and I was able to make it pop so he said he had a good idea of what was causing it. After about an hour of checking out my PAT he's not sure what is causing it. He will have to start taking off wheels, breaks, suspension components to hunt down whats causing the noise. So unfortunately my PAT is not home tonight I already miss it. I hope they can figure out whats wrong quickly.

 

[JeepCares]

Did the Ford dealer figure it out?

 

[matg]

Yup the Ford dealer figured it out. It was loose bolt in the cross member. They tried to charge me $150 to fix it because it was not covered under warranty. I'm like REALLY? So I speak to a manager explained I just bought this jeep and now gotta repair it? Looks like you need to inspect these cars better before selling them. He tore up the bill and gave me the keys and made me smile. I'm glad they made it right and the jeep is driving great now.

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[925Jeeps]

I have a similar issue, any ideas on where your loose bolt was??

 

[JeepCares]

I have a similar issue, any ideas on where your loose bolt was??

Hi @925Jeeps ! Sorry to hear about the concerns you're experiencing. If you choose to get this addressed by your Jeep dealer and would like additional support, please feel free to send us a private message! We'd be happy to investigate further. Thanks!

Courtney
Jeep Cares

 

[Sandstone]

I have a similar issue, any ideas on where your loose bolt was??

Here's where the front sub-frame bolts go: