The brake pads move when changing direction. It sounds like they are all clicking into place. Nothing to worry about.

 

I've never heard this sound before, it just started happening, I'm hoping I didn't damage something when I was trying to reverse out of the snow the other day.

 

Jack up the front, remove the wheels and check the brakes and rotors for anything loose and for wheel bearing play. Then check all 4 CV boots and joints (inner and outer, especially the outer ones) on the front axles. Maybe one of the CV joints is sloppy and clicks when you go into reverse. You can twist each rotor (or wheel if it's still bolted on) back and forth and see if there's noise or play in those joints. If all is good there, check for play in the rear driveshaft spider joints.

 

Front Driver's Side:

Front Passenger Side:

The only thing I'm noticing is the cotter pins are missing on the castle nut of the outer tie rod end. Everything else looks decent to me.

 

Driver side strut boot out of position.

 

I see that now, does it need to be replaced or just pulled down?

 

I only noticed some jerking just before the wheel slipped in the ice/dirt. Still thinking a damaged CV joint on the driver's side. It looks like it binds, then lets go. Does it do that on both front wheels or just the driver's side? Turn the wheels outwards to full lock on each side to get a better look at the CV boot nearest the suspension. If there's damage, it might just show up as a damaged boot with leaking grease. There are also 2 spider joints on the front drive line as well, also requiring inspection by getting underneath. Something has some play in the suspension or drive train. No getting around having to do a wheels off inspection.

 

He did indicate he hadn't noticed the problem before that incident, but yeah, it could be the A-TRAC doing its thing with the brakes since the wheel broke loose during his demonstration. If it's doing that jerk without the wheel slipping, then more underside driveline investigations need to happen if there's a flat dry place to jack up each wheel. At least the CV boots look OK.

I don't see anything amiss either except for BOTH strut boots slipping or coming off the tops of the struts and the missing cotter pin. Since I don't have those struts, I'm not sure how to re-secure the boots. Clamps or one of those zip tie repairs?

 

Okay, so it’s in the shop now. They test drove it, said it’s the back brakes. I don’t know why the back brakes would be causing a noise coming from the front end while in reverse with the wheel turned all the way to the right. They’re going to do a wheel off inspection next.

 

Let us know what they find.

 

So, the back brakes were completely gone. BUT, that wasn't the noise I was hearing in reverse in 4WD. The noise I heard while in reverse in 4WD that sounded like grinding, was a bolt in my cat converter shield that was too long, and was scraping up against the driveshaft when I engaged 4WD. So, I went in for one noise that turned out to be pretty harmless, and left knowing that there was something more serious and now it's fixed.

 

Could even be something as simple as one of the brake dust shields got bent and is hitting something. Hopefully the shop spots whatever it might be.

Since you said it made the suspect noise when you first tried to reverse in 2WD, I am feeling like it had nothing to do with 4x4 at all.

 

Good to know things were resolved. Happy FJing.