Strainge clunk sound

jdreckard · **Posted:** Fri Feb 17, 2006 11:38 am

I have a strange clunking sound that "appears" to be coming from the front right side of the vehicle. It happens mainly when coming to a stop. Sometimes it is louder than others. I have a Daystar 2.5 spacer lift on front with rancho struts. I have been wondering if something associated with the lift is causing the problem.

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Fri Feb 17, 2006 12:34 pm

Check those ball joints!! Sometimes they can clunk when you stop!! I really wouldnt drive it until I checked those. Dont mean to scare you but if its those and they are that bad, that could be very dangerous. It may be something very simple and not this. Just telling ya!

jdreckard · **Posted:** Fri Feb 17, 2006 5:42 pm

The ball joints were bad. I had them replaced earlier this week but the noise didn't go away. I did more testing today and found the noise goes away if the transmission is shifted into nuetral before stopping. I am now thinking that with all the torque converter problems the crd is having it may be the torque converter lock up clutch not releasing completely intil it give that clunk. I spoke with the dealer and he said they are thinking now that the bad converters are due to the cooler being to small.

I'll give you updates as I get them.

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Fri Feb 17, 2006 6:34 pm

I get a clunk from the tranny also when stopping. Could be a different clunk than you are getting. Its done that from the time I got it new.

Cacher123 · **Posted:** Fri Feb 17, 2006 7:03 pm

Quote:

I get a clunk from the tranny also when stopping. Could be a different clunk than you are getting. Its done that from the time I got it new.

Same prob here... There have been several discussions on this. My dlr changed my driveshaft during warranty. Now I only get it when the bottom of the vehicle is wet. (yes, I know how that sounds but it's the god's honest truth!)

This is from an earlier thread on the subject and is what I gave to my dlr.:

Quote:

Clunking when stopping

Here is what the Jeep dealer told me:

When you brake the vehicle rotates forward (even if you have anti-lock brakes, which includes a two axis accelerometer to reduce vehicle dip). This 'dip' causes the driveshaft slip yoke (a fore-aft slip joint at the transfer case) to extend. The grease in this joint dries up or is displaced over time. Without grease the slip yoke does not move as freely. After the vehicle stops (no more deceleration) it rotates back to level. To rotate back the slip yoke must compress. There is more friction in the slip yoke due to the lack of grease. This extra static friction (and possibly binding) cause a momentary delay in the vehicle rotating back (leveling) .
When the slip yoke finally releases you hear a pop.

After greasing this joint the problem went away. Looks like this is going to be a regular maintenance item for some of us until Jeep provides a permanent solution.

In my case, the dlr said this is indeed a possibility.

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Fri Feb 17, 2006 7:28 pm

Cacher123 wrote:

Quote:

I get a clunk from the tranny also when stopping. Could be a different clunk than you are getting. Its done that from the time I got it new.

Same prob here... There have been several discussions on this. My dlr changed my driveshaft during warranty. Now I only get it when the bottom of the vehicle is wet. (yes, I know how that sounds but it's the god's honest truth!)

This is from an earlier thread on the subject and is what I gave to my dlr.:

Quote:

Clunking when stopping

Here is what the Jeep dealer told me:

When you brake the vehicle rotates forward (even if you have anti-lock brakes, which includes a two axis accelerometer to reduce vehicle dip). This 'dip' causes the driveshaft slip yoke (a fore-aft slip joint at the transfer case) to extend. The grease in this joint dries up or is displaced over time. Without grease the slip yoke does not move as freely. After the vehicle stops (no more deceleration) it rotates back to level. To rotate back the slip yoke must compress. There is more friction in the slip yoke due to the lack of grease. This extra static friction (and possibly binding) cause a momentary delay in the vehicle rotating back (leveling) .
When the slip yoke finally releases you hear a pop.

After greasing this joint the problem went away. Looks like this is going to be a regular maintenance item for some of us until Jeep provides a permanent solution.

In my case, the dlr said this is indeed a possibility.

Wow, I think its just "slack" in the drive train. If you go real slow and press the gas, then let off you get the same effect.

Cacher123 · **Posted:** Fri Feb 17, 2006 8:38 pm

Quote:

Wow, I think its just "slack" in the drive train. If you go real slow and press the gas, then let off you get the same effect.

Nope (at least not in my case). I tried that, no noise. Only get it on braking and when the KJ is wet.

waddy whiteguts · **Posted:** Sat Feb 18, 2006 4:27 pm

Does your KJ have a slip yoke driveshaft? (don't theyall?) My 02 makes a little thump right before stopping and again when starting out when the weather is just so. It is the slip yoke binding or slack in the yoke. Lubricating it with a good waterproof grease usually eliminates the noise for a while, until it needs more grease.

Generally driveshaft issues are felt in the feet or seat though. Something to consider...

ManicMechanicJoe · **Posted:** Mon Feb 20, 2006 2:08 am

i had a bad thunking for a while, was loose swaybar bolts...solved that with my favorite tool:

THE FIRE WRENCH!!!!!! :twisted:

jdreckard · **Posted:** Mon Feb 20, 2006 10:48 am

Cacher123 wrote:

Quote:

I get a clunk from the tranny also when stopping. Could be a different clunk than you are getting. Its done that from the time I got it new.

Same prob here... There have been several discussions on this. My dlr changed my driveshaft during warranty. Now I only get it when the bottom of the vehicle is wet. (yes, I know how that sounds but it's the god's honest truth!)

This is from an earlier thread on the subject and is what I gave to my dlr.:

Quote:

Clunking when stopping

Here is what the Jeep dealer told me:

When you brake the vehicle rotates forward (even if you have anti-lock brakes, which includes a two axis accelerometer to reduce vehicle dip). This 'dip' causes the driveshaft slip yoke (a fore-aft slip joint at the transfer case) to extend. The grease in this joint dries up or is displaced over time. Without grease the slip yoke does not move as freely. After the vehicle stops (no more deceleration) it rotates back to level. To rotate back the slip yoke must compress. There is more friction in the slip yoke due to the lack of grease. This extra static friction (and possibly binding) cause a momentary delay in the vehicle rotating back (leveling) .
When the slip yoke finally releases you hear a pop.

After greasing this joint the problem went away. Looks like this is going to be a regular maintenance item for some of us until Jeep provides a permanent solution.

In my case, the dlr said this is indeed a possibility.

What must be done to grease this joint????? I assume it is the splined joint at the end of the drive shaft covered by a rubber bellows type boot?? I wonder if the the joint/splines have a rough spot or even worn area from running dry?? I may have the dealer check it just in case it needs replaced!!!

Cacher123 · **Posted:** Mon Feb 20, 2006 11:23 am

Quote:

What must be done to grease this joint?????

Yup, everyone talks about this problem. Anyone got any pics of the area or can explain how to locate/grease it?
I'm a newbie when it comes to 4wd tech.

waddy whiteguts · **Posted:** Mon Feb 20, 2006 8:52 pm

I don't have the pics but according to my factory manual: Remove the u-joint strap bolts and straps. Pry open one of the boot clamps and slide the boot off the joint. Drop the shaft and pull out of yoke. Reinstall in opposite order. The slip yoke assembly is at the front end of the driveshaft.

Of course you'd need to have a new boot clamp crimped on. When greasing the splines be careful not to grease the end of the shaft as this can preload the assembly and cause damage to bearing carriers, only grease the splines. Also, mark the drive shaft in relation to the diff input, the shaft is balanced with the drivetrain and will wobble if assembled 180° out of position.

Newer Isuzus have a lot of trouble with slip-yoke noise and around here the dealer won't service it because there is no zerk. How's that for crap? The Isuzu guys I got my info from the first time around ( I had an Axiom) used a red waterproof grease in their slip-yokes. It might have been a marine product like OMC Tripleguard Grease, but I'm not sure.

If your noise is coming from the front end though I have to agree that you should be inspecting your balljoints and the rest of your front end for wear. The slip yoke noise usually feels like it is under ya. Good luck.

Cacher123 · **Posted:** Mon Feb 20, 2006 9:43 pm

Mine feels like it's under me. usually under my right butt cheek if u want to be specific!

jdreckard · **Posted:** Tue Feb 21, 2006 8:36 am

It has always felt like it was under me. It has always been a passenger that told me it was in the front. I can feel it through my feet. I have never felt it through the steering wheel. Which is where you would think ball joint play would manifest itself. Regardless, the ball joints were replaced last week.

waddy whiteguts · **Posted:** Tue Feb 21, 2006 9:35 pm

And do you still get the thumping?

jdreckard · **Posted:** Wed Feb 22, 2006 9:36 am

I found the clunking sound last night while laying on top the engine as someone went forward and reverse on a hill with the nose down hill. :roll:

It was a loose engine mount on the right side. The mount is a rubber bushing with a stud out the top and a stud out the bottom. The nut on the stud out the top was loose. I was able to tighten it from the bottom with an 18mm combo wrench. The best way would be with a couple extensions and a universal joint fromt the top. I am going to get a 1/2" drive u-joint today and tighten both sides well.

I would suggest everyone check theirs!!!

Cacher123 · **Posted:** Wed Feb 22, 2006 2:02 pm

Quote:

while laying on top the engine

The things people will do for thier KJ!

waddy whiteguts · **Posted:** Wed Feb 22, 2006 9:57 pm

Call your service magager too. The dealership should be aware of the issue for your's and others' sake. And rub his nose in it too! :lol:

Strainge clunk sound

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