Calling all KJ doctors

CTjeeper16 · **Posted:** Sun Oct 15, 2006 11:12 am

Hey all. My KJ is having problems, with what I believe is the front suspension. I'm noticing a scraping sound coming from under the engine when I hit bumps at speed. I initially thought the engine skid plate may be hitting the road, but upon investigation, there are no fresh scrapes on the skid. So I assume there must be something above the skid, but below the engine making the noise. Other symptoms include the noise being more pronounced after a cool/cold night, and that it also seems to be more from the driver's side, just in front of my feet. I've had no problems w/ the engine (starts right away, accelerates normally, no odd engine noises), thus I assume its the suspension. So, all you KJ docs, can you diagnose my problem and perscribe me a solution?

Skyjump136 · **Joined:** Tue Jul 05, 2005 6:50 pm **Posts:** 1633

Welcome to KJ ownership in the Winter. Your sway bar bushings are probably dry. Get under there with a can of silicone spray and hit them up. That's the same reason I did this mod...

http://www.lostjeeps.com/forum/phpBB3/vie ... hp?t=12494

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Sun Oct 15, 2006 1:22 pm

Yup, sounds like dry sway bar bushing.. Next time mine do it Im going to do what Skyjump136 did. Its not going to do any harm to anything, just alittle annoying..

Cacher123 · **Posted:** Sun Oct 15, 2006 2:49 pm

Stupid question.... Anyone got a pic of the bushings so I can locate them?

broncsrule · **Posted:** Sun Oct 15, 2006 2:51 pm

Cacher123: Check out the link a couple posts up. Should be where he placed the zerk fitting.

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Sun Oct 15, 2006 3:25 pm

Cacher123 wrote:

Stupid question.... Anyone got a pic of the bushings so I can locate them?

From Skyjump136s' thread..

waddy whiteguts · **Posted:** Sun Oct 15, 2006 11:04 pm

FWIW when my driver side lower ball joint collapsed it sounded pretty much like you described. It never seperated but it was binding up pretty bad. Not safe at all, check yours out!

dirtykj · **Posted:** Mon Oct 16, 2006 11:22 am

Could also be worn upper ball joints. Mine made plonking sounds like that too, but not so much any more now that the upper arms have been replaced.

CTjeeper16 · **Posted:** Mon Oct 16, 2006 11:41 am

if it is the upper and/or lower ball joints...would the replacements be covered under warranty?

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Mon Oct 16, 2006 11:47 am

CTjeeper16 wrote:

if it is the upper and/or lower ball joints...would the replacements be covered under warranty?

They are having a recall on the lower joints so those are covered. If you jeep is under warranty and doesnt have a lift then anything on the jeep is covered under warranty. :wink:

What year is the jeep? Its most likely the sway bar if its fairly new..

Skyjump136 · **Joined:** Tue Jul 05, 2005 6:50 pm **Posts:** 1633

It is probably the sway bar bushings since you mentioned the noise is more pronounced in cold weather. Just spray some silicone spray on there and you'll know in about 30 seconds if that's the issue.

jeepgirl0385 · **Posted:** Tue Oct 17, 2006 3:09 pm

I think I have a similar problem. In weather under 60 F my front end makes noise when I go over certain types of bumps...smoother pronounced bumps...like speed humps. I describe the sound like those manual air pumps you use to inflate balls or whatever. It is a strange sound, and I am almost positive that it is coming from the suspension.

I did just get my lower ball joints replaced (I can't believe the dealer was nice about it, i didn;t have my letter yet or anything!) but the problem still exists.

Oh yeah, it has been doing this for about since a year i got it. (It was bought new...manufactured April 03, bought April 29th 03.)

Skyjump136 · **Joined:** Tue Jul 05, 2005 6:50 pm **Posts:** 1633

Yep, same deal. Lube those sway bar bushings folks. Every fall we get about 10 of these threads....very common.

Calling all KJ doctors

Who is online