Clicking sound while lifting rear
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 3,630
Likes: 8
From: Virginia Beach Virginia
Clicking sound while lifting rear
A few weeks ago when I changed my oil I was at the stage of lifting the rear ( 2 and half ton jack has a head which spans the two ribs of the rear crossmember) I heard a slight clicking noise as I was nearing the end of my jacking... I then place some ramps under the rear tires and continued with the oil change process.
Lately, there has been a lot of talk about not placing the jack in the center of the crossbeam and then raising the rear.
Well, I went ahead and used a forum member's method of using a 6x24x1 wood piece and gave it shot. After a few pumps of the jack I heard a clicking noise with each pump...so I stopped...is it possible that my rear crossbeam is about to crack or has cracked? Does anyone else hear any clicking/creaking when lifting the rear with their jack?
Lately, there has been a lot of talk about not placing the jack in the center of the crossbeam and then raising the rear.
Well, I went ahead and used a forum member's method of using a 6x24x1 wood piece and gave it shot. After a few pumps of the jack I heard a clicking noise with each pump...so I stopped...is it possible that my rear crossbeam is about to crack or has cracked? Does anyone else hear any clicking/creaking when lifting the rear with their jack?
Team Owner
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 23,682
Likes: 9
From: Flagstaff Az.
clicking
I doubt that your cross member is cracking or making noises. I have always jacked up my car(front and rear) in the center of the crossmembers and have had no noises or problems. It may have been the wood cracking or creaking.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 3,630
Likes: 8
From: Virginia Beach Virginia
James, I did remove the wood and made direct contact with my jacking head (which does span the two ribs of the crossbeam) and it continued to make the same noise. So I don't believe it's the wood. It really sounded more like a clicking noise more than a creaking one. I made a visual inspection of the crossbeam (as best I could) and I couldn't see any cracks...
Problem is that for the past 5 years (about 11 oil changes -- only have 13K miles on her) I have been using direct contact with the jacking head in the center of the crossbeam to lift the rear during my oil changes...I hope this hasn't finally caused the crossbeam to weaken, etc. Recent posts by other members have indicated that it is not good to lift the rear by the center of the rear crossbeam...
Problem is that for the past 5 years (about 11 oil changes -- only have 13K miles on her) I have been using direct contact with the jacking head in the center of the crossbeam to lift the rear during my oil changes...I hope this hasn't finally caused the crossbeam to weaken, etc. Recent posts by other members have indicated that it is not good to lift the rear by the center of the rear crossbeam...
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 22
Likes: 2
James, I did remove the wood and made direct contact with my jacking head (which does span the two ribs of the crossbeam) and it continued to make the same noise. So I don't believe it's the wood. It really sounded more like a clicking noise more than a creaking one. I made a visual inspection of the crossbeam (as best I could) and I couldn't see any cracks...
Problem is that for the past 5 years (about 11 oil changes -- only have 13K miles on her) I have been using direct contact with the jacking head in the center of the crossbeam to lift the rear during my oil changes...I hope this hasn't finally caused the crossbeam to weaken, etc. Recent posts by other members have indicated that it is not good to lift the rear by the center of the rear crossbeam...
Problem is that for the past 5 years (about 11 oil changes -- only have 13K miles on her) I have been using direct contact with the jacking head in the center of the crossbeam to lift the rear during my oil changes...I hope this hasn't finally caused the crossbeam to weaken, etc. Recent posts by other members have indicated that it is not good to lift the rear by the center of the rear crossbeam...
I know this is old but any updates? I have lifted my car from the center a few times and wondering if I have caused any damage
Racer
Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 324
Likes: 157
From: Maine
This is happen to me, in fact if I take a quick turn it makes the snapping noise. So I go home jack up the car and hear the noise again. I shake everything I can think of inspect all the bushings I can see (shock, control arms) and find nothing. I put the car back on the ground and there it is again, the same noise (with the wheels touching the ground and almost all of the weight on them.) With the car sitting and me bouncing it up and down I can't make it snap or pop. The car handles normal, but one quick turn or sometimes a slight pot hole and it's back. Normal driving it's fine.
Last spring we changed the diff so the rear cradle was off the car. This Easter egg hunt is driving me nuts, I make take it to a shop with a four post lift so I can be under the car and have some move it so I can find the sound.
Last spring we changed the diff so the rear cradle was off the car. This Easter egg hunt is driving me nuts, I make take it to a shop with a four post lift so I can be under the car and have some move it so I can find the sound.
