Help diagnose my strange creaking/popping noise...

dgeist · **Posted:** Mon Mar 12, 2012 4:24 pm

So, I've been having an odd noise emanating from the KJ for a few weeks now. I'm fairly sure it's from the front end, but it sounds like a combination of other things (and it may BE a combination of things). To start, it's a CRD with 75k and bone stock suspension. The tires are 245/75R16 in case anyone things tire size is a factor.

When do I hear it: usually at slow speed and under minor turning; backing out of the driveway; going around a bend in a parking garage; making a turn from a stop sign, etc.

What does it sound like: I can describe it as cross between the thunk noise I heard when my engine mount went bad and the squeak of urethane bushings on my integra suspension (in another life).

What have I tried: I did the "find a flat spot and drive around in circles" test to see if the CV joints were making the noise. I couldn't get it to happen at ALL on a flat surface going slowly and turning, so I think the CVs are out of the equation (unless it's only when the suspension is slightly compressed, but that'd be really bizzare).

So, I'm thinking that the suspension arm mounts or shock bushings are shot and are moving around OR that I have balljoint issues (upper, lower, steering, maybe more than one).

Things feel fairly normal at highway speed. There's a little vibration, but nothing more than I would expect from a jeep in need of a tire balancing (which mine likely does).

Any thoughts?

Dan

spitfire36o · **Posted:** Mon Mar 12, 2012 4:45 pm

I just had a very similar issue. The popping noise was a lose lower control arm bolt. With that tightened up, its now a clicking noise. Thats a worn lower control arm bushing.

HoosierJeeper · **Joined:** Sun Feb 15, 2009 8:23 am **Posts:** 1218

You can check the the ball joints for play with a floor jack. I'd tell you how, but I don't remember. There's a few threads here and on JKJ about checking both.

M&P40 · **Posted:** Sat Mar 17, 2012 2:07 pm

back when i had the popping noise i tightened the bolts on my upper A arms, that was the solution to mine and the symptoms sound the same as you are describing

JeepinJarhead03 · **Posted:** Sat Mar 17, 2012 2:30 pm

if it's a steady rotational clicking sound, check the emergency brake shoes while ya checking out stuff

dgeist · **Posted:** Sat Mar 17, 2012 4:21 pm

spitfire36o wrote:

I just had a very similar issue. The popping noise was a lose lower control arm bolt. With that tightened up, its now a clicking noise. Thats a worn lower control arm bushing.

<edit>
That's the inner mounting point, right (since the outer is a ball joint)? Are those replaceable?
</edit>

nevermind:
http://www.quadratec.com/products/56015_0111.htm

Dan

Boomerang · **Joined:** Tue Jul 26, 2011 7:46 pm **Posts:** 184

i get these noises up front while in 4X4 a little bit, figured they were normal

dgeist · **Posted:** Tue Mar 20, 2012 9:35 am

Thanks for the input, all. It's not cyclic (i.e. tied to rotation) and it's both in 2wd and full-time-4 (haven't had it anywhere with the center diff locked, but I imagine I'd hear it then, too...)

At this point, I'm confident it's either something in the suspension or possibly one of the enginer mounts, and I'm nearly due for some suspension upgrades anyway, so I figure I need to inspect all the bushings and replace anything questionable. Which have to be pressed out? I'm assuming the innner arm bushings (upper and lower) are a machine-shop deal? Everything else looks to be driveway-swappable:
- lower strut mount bushings
- sway bar mount and end links
- upper and lower balls on the hub carriers (assuming I go aftermarket on upper arms)
- Am I missing anything?

Dan

Help diagnose my strange creaking/popping noise...

Who is online