Why is my jeep engine making a popping noise while driving?

front suspencion, ie: tie rod ball joints struts and or shocks and it could even be brakes , calipor

05 GC, but what drive line, what engine, what transmission, what transfer case. and evne more important where is the 4wd lever set?
does it make noise in all gears, all transfer case MODES????

sure , buy and electronic stethoscope
like this,
http://www.amazon.com/Steelman-97220-EngineEAR-Diagnostic-Listening/dp/B00396FBRY/ref=sr_1_fkmr1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1414326169&sr=8-1-fkmr1&keywords=automotive+electronic+stethoscope+steelman

you clamp the mike to many drive line parts.
transmission, quite at POP time.
transfercase quite?
then move the MIKE to the suspension parts.
you will find it.

thats a lot cash to spend guessing. the tool works like magic
it will show you (heard) what is making noise.
if it cant find the noise, 99%^ its U-joints, after all i can not
clamp the MIKE to drive/prop shafts. .
but that is a big clue,

have you tried spraying all suspension joints with silicon oil spray.
that would be first. way before parts.
are you in the salt belt????? google that.

Last, what 4wd you have, options?
Quadra-Trac-II NV 247
Quadra-Drive NV247

more testing
if you shift the xfr case to neutral just before a bump does it still make noise?
then repeat that for transmission , neutral.
do the tests off road, or far from other cars, and peds.
repeat the test in 2wd selection,
seen here. (im assuming this is what you have, its unstated)(
http://www.fixkick.com/Jeeps/QT2004.JPG


ps: noise is the most complex problem
it is also very dangerous on cars that only make noise moving.
use a stethoscope. and find this easy an safely.
use real headphones(muffs)
and 2 persons, one drives other listens and barks orders.
win.

check the fuses make sure none of them blew and if its not that then its proble a bad alternator, witch caused the ripple effect when one thing goes on a newer car no matter how small it will trigger a bunch of random events such as transmission not going into gear, i assume its a automatic i highly dought that the tps went with the low voltage, and if your hearing a clicking noise its either not enough juice going to the starter, or a coil wire popped off

You might want to get all that checked out soon. The grease might be left over from a lube job. But the POP noise, you may have broke a hub or something. If it doesn't make a noise or doesn't wobble, it is not that serious. Make sure the front end is not making any weird or unusuall noises.

run a compression check could be blown head gasket

if you have a biuld up of snow in the cars engine bay under tray or wheel arch plastic lines this may be rubbing on the driveshaft or tyre

HI!! have somebody to help you star the car you outside put on drive turnthe whell to the side makes noisevery slow drive the truck and hear the noise if growglin noiise is detected is the hub bearing

You are about to spend more money if that u-joint fails while you are driving. Get it fixed now..Good luck

First, get it onto some dry ground and look underneath. See if you can get an eyeball on whats making noise. Without lying underneath, have someone try to engage 4x4 while you watch from the side.Or get it up on a lift. When you have an idea what or where noise is coming from, I can help you with the how to fix it part.

check for ANYTHING that may be hitting the frame or body. --muffler --tire carier also check the shock-mount bushings(these ALWAYS fall apart from use and age)
and it just may be a bad shock(shocks do NOT "release" pressure!!)
-check ALL rubber bushings under the jeep,body mounts too!!