AboutCarl Brandt Expertise Will discuss suspensions, lifts, lockers along with tire suggestions. Trail ratings and possible requirements needed for specific type of trails. Safety equipment and what you should carry with you. Certified off-road instructor.
I am not a mechanic, and 4-Wheeling is a hobby, so if I can't answer a technical question it is due to my mechanical knowledge being related to vehicles that I have owned, or have worked on. I do not have manuals on all vehicles.
Experience Experience in the area 40 plus years of 4 wheeling in a variety of vehicles. At the present time, my major off-road rig is a 94 Jeep Wrangler with a spring over and a 3 1/2" suspension lift. This gives me a total lift of 9" or so. I have lockers front and rear. I have removed the track bars, and sway bar for maximum articulation. I am running a stock 2.5 ltr 4 cylinder with a Jacobs ignition along with a K&N air filter. It has 4.56:1 gears with a Dodge NV4500 transmission along with a 3.8:1 Atlas II transfer case. This gives me a final ratio of 95:1 in low gear/low range.
Other vehicles I own, are a 95 Ford F-250 with a 6" lift, posi rear end, 35" MT's, 5 speed with a fuel injected 460 ci engine, and a stock 2000 Grand Cherokee.
Trails I have run are the Rubicon (10 times), Dusey Ershim, Fordyce Creek trail, McGrew trail, several trails in Moab, Utah along with local monthly runs.
Organizations I belong to
President of Lost Coast 4x4's (8 years)
http://lostcoast4x4.org
Blue Ribbon Association
United Four Wheel Drive
Corva
Cal 4 Wheel
Expert: Carl Brandt Date: 10/9/2007 Subject: 99 Jeep Wrangler Sahara high pitch squeak
Question I have a 99 Jeep Wrangler with 95K miles. The past 2-3 weeks I noticed that there is a high pitch squeak when I'm driving. It sounds like the brakes are squeaking, however it happens no matter if I'm hitting the brakes or not. Also when I'm parked and idling it stops making the noise. I just took it into my mechanic for routine oil change, and asked them to check it out. They stated that they couldn't find anything with my brakes/bearings/wheels/etc. They did find the the exhaust manifold has a crack and stated that this could be causing the problem. Do you think that this it true? It is my understanding that air would be coming out of the crack, however wouldn't the squeaking noise continue whether I'm stopped or in motion. I would appreciate your advice before I spend a $750 to get this fixed.
Answer Ann,
You are right. If it was an air leak in the manifold, you should be able to cause the problem whether you are moving or not. If it is a cracked manifold causing this, then the squeak should change, at least slightly, with a change in the throttle.
This is a common problem with hard brake linings or pads. Also, some disk brakes have a wiper (piece of metal) installed on the brake pads that rubs when the brake pads get worn to a certain point. This is designed to let you know when your pads need replacing.
I would get another opinion. Talk to a few reputable shops without telling them what your mechanic said, and see if they come up with the same decision.
A cracked manifold is not real common in this new of a vehicle.
