Front axle/driveshaft noise

[Bear_JT]

So we got our first substantial snow fall last night and I used 4hi to make it up some icy hills on the road. I noticed at about 35 mph while coasting, a vibration or very slight popping noise coming from the front driver side axle area, or possibly the front driveshaft area. The noise is not there when I accelerate but as soon as I coast it’s there. I haven’t been able to pin point it yet because of the snow and ice on everything. When I go back into 2hi everything works fine and no noise. Has anyone else with a Gladiator or JL that has the FAD noticed anything like this? Being that it’s happening in 4 hi while coasting it makes me think it’s just the FAD moving or something. I’ve never heard this before while in the dirt or rocks but I wasn’t coasting like this either.

 

[Disciple Off Road]

Its a Jeep so completely normal

It really could be anyone's guess at this point but I'd start with cleaning everything up and giving it a good visual inspection at the u-joints (axle shafts and driveshaft) and steering rod ends (tie rod and draglink) for any play which could cause a "popping" sound. Have someone jump in the Jeep as well and turn the steering wheel back and forth to help make any lose parts easily visible and also hopefully recreate the noise.

 

[Bear_JT]

Very true!
I went underneath it (dripping) always the best time to go under the Jeep. Everything looks good. I took it for a spin and in 4 low no noise, 4 hi slight noise but not as bad as before. I’m wondering if it might have been the drive shaft on a chunk of ice that had built up down there. I’m going to have to wait a while now the snow is falling again.