Grunting Noise After Frankenlift Install

nickdz · **Joined:** Mon Sep 05, 2005 12:33 pm **Posts:** 14

I just installed the Frankenlift Premium II package on my 2005 Renegade. After a day or two of completing the install, I am now getting a loud grunting (for lack of a better word) noise when ever the strut compresses/decompresses.

It appears to be coming from the upper spring-to-spacer location in the struts. I have used my stethoscope to hone in on the location. Also, both are making the exact same noise.

I have already checked, cleaned, and re-lubricated the sway bar bushings. I have also sprayed silicone lubricant all over the strut. But, the noise remains.

Does anybody have freakin clue as to what may be going on? I have not heard of any problems like this with the frankenlifts.

Thanks,
Nick

Jeep4me99 · **Posted:** Thu Sep 04, 2008 9:31 am

it could just be the spring rubbing on the rubber isolator or spacer a bit.

Prospect62 · **Posted:** Fri Sep 05, 2008 12:30 pm

My Frankenlift seemed to highlight, bold and underscore my need for lower control arm bushings...something that had previously gone undetected. Maybe check those out.

Jeep Dawg · **Posted:** Fri Sep 05, 2008 1:12 pm

My frankenlift never made a noise like that.

it might go away after it settles a little bit.

Check your inner springs to see any new marks.

nickdz · **Joined:** Mon Sep 05, 2005 12:33 pm **Posts:** 14

Good stuff... thanks for the help.

I'm fairly confident that the noise is coming from the upper part of the strut assembly, but I'll check the lower control arm bushings and look for new marks on the springs tonight. It definately can't hurt to cover all bases.

I'm also working with All J Products to resolve the issue. They haven't heard of this happening either. I've sent them a video/audio clip. I'll keep you all posted on what they come back with.

nickdz · **Joined:** Mon Sep 05, 2005 12:33 pm **Posts:** 14

Ok... We have fixed the issue.

The nut on the top of the strut was not tightened properly when All J's put the struts together. I took out both front struts on Saturday, tightened the nuts, and put them back in. The grunting noise is gone now.

I probably spent 6 hours and two cans of WD-40 looking for the problem during the week. 4 hours on a Saturday morning is all it took.

I'm going to forward these findings to All J's.

nickdz · **Joined:** Mon Sep 05, 2005 12:33 pm **Posts:** 14

Ok... We have fixed the issue.

The nut on the top of the strut was not tightened properly when All J's put the struts together. I took out both front struts on Saturday, tightened the nuts, and put them back in. The grunting noise is gone now.

Man, I probably spent 6 hours and two cans of WD-40 looking for the problem during the week. 4 hours on a Saturday morning is all it took. I wish I had just pulled them out sooner.

I'm going to forward these findings to All J's.

Sport · **Posted:** Thu Nov 20, 2008 5:23 pm

nickdz wrote:

Ok... We have fixed the issue.

The nut on the top of the strut was not tightened properly when All J's put the struts together. I took out both front struts on Saturday, tightened the nuts, and put them back in. The grunting noise is gone now.

Man, I probably spent 6 hours and two cans of WD-40 looking for the problem during the week. 4 hours on a Saturday morning is all it took. I wish I had just pulled them out sooner.

I'm going to forward these findings to All J's.

I am having a similar noise with my suspension (not franky) all you did was tighten the top nut? How much more did you tighten them?

Strikeagle · **Posted:** Fri Nov 21, 2008 1:41 am

arent you glad its a frankenlift with a grunt from your struts , and not a vampirelift and blood leaking out of your struts. (scary movie humor :lol:

)

jeepkj02 · **Posted:** Fri Nov 21, 2008 10:51 am

Maybe Tim Allen is following you and grunting because he likes your newly Frankenlifted KJ..!!! LOL!! :lol:

JJsTJ · **Posted:** Fri Nov 21, 2008 11:32 am

jeepkj02 wrote:

Maybe Tim Allen is following you and grunting because he likes your newly Frankenlifted KJ..!!! LOL!! :lol:

I thought for sure that was what i was going to read on the 1st post. :lol:

LostRenegade · **Posted:** Fri Nov 21, 2008 10:10 pm

How do I check if my Franky has this issue? I will be installing my Frankenlift II Premium tomorrow.

Guest · **Posted:** Sat Nov 22, 2008 3:55 am

http://www.lostjeeps.com/forum/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?t=35563&highlight=

Sport · **Posted:** Sat Nov 22, 2008 12:18 pm

I am officially quiet now!! You guys rock, thanks!

CATCRD · **Posted:** Mon Jan 05, 2009 8:31 pm

nickdz wrote:

I just installed the Frankenlift Premium II package on my 2005 Renegade. After a day or two of completing the install, I am now getting a loud grunting (for lack of a better word) noise when ever the strut compresses/decompresses.

It appears to be coming from the upper spring-to-spacer location in the struts. I have used my stethoscope to hone in on the location. Also, both are making the exact same noise.

I have already checked, cleaned, and re-lubricated the sway bar bushings. I have also sprayed silicone lubricant all over the strut. But, the noise remains.

We just installed an FPII on my buddy's 03 and he has the exact same noise coming from the right strut. Same location - seemingly at the top of the spring. You can feel the vibration in the spring and hear it if someone just uses their weight to bounce the front end of the jeep an inch or two. Silicone spray didn't change it.

Is the consensus that the top nut is loose? I'm not looking forward to pulling the strut again. Do the coils have to be compressed to tighten the nut and is it 30 ft-lbs?

Guest · **Posted:** Mon Jan 05, 2009 10:06 pm

CATCRD wrote:

nickdz wrote:

I just installed the Frankenlift Premium II package on my 2005 Renegade. After a day or two of completing the install, I am now getting a loud grunting (for lack of a better word) noise when ever the strut compresses/decompresses.

It appears to be coming from the upper spring-to-spacer location in the struts. I have used my stethoscope to hone in on the location. Also, both are making the exact same noise.

I have already checked, cleaned, and re-lubricated the sway bar bushings. I have also sprayed silicone lubricant all over the strut. But, the noise remains.

We just installed an FPII on my buddy's 03 and he has the exact same noise coming from the right strut. Same location - seemingly at the top of the spring. You can feel the vibration in the spring and hear it if someone just uses their weight to bounce the front end of the jeep an inch or two. Silicone spray didn't change it.

Is the consensus that the top nut is loose? I'm not looking forward to pulling the strut again. Do the coils have to be compressed to tighten the nut and is it 30 ft-lbs?

yes, if that top strut is loose it should be tightened down. You can tell it is loose when you pull out the strut and see a space between the spacer and the the top plate. You should have read this thread before you put them in. :wink:

Also, check other things like sway bar bushings. If anything is loose it will make noise.

Fulltimer · **Posted:** Mon Jan 05, 2009 10:08 pm

nickdz wrote:

Ok... We have fixed the issue.

The nut on the top of the strut was not tightened properly when All J's put the struts together. I took out both front struts on Saturday, tightened the nuts, and put them back in. The grunting noise is gone now.

Man, I probably spent 6 hours and two cans of WD-40 looking for the problem during the week. 4 hours on a Saturday morning is all it took. I wish I had just pulled them out sooner.

I'm going to forward these findings to All J's.

WD-40 = Water Displacement 40th. version. It is not meant for lubricating. It is for removing water.

Terry

Guest · **Posted:** Tue Jan 06, 2009 3:47 am

Fulltimer wrote:

WD-40 = Water Displacement 40th. version. It is not meant for lubricating. It is for removing water.

Terry

Interesting... now you know :idea:

Random quotes about WD40:

"A Water Dispersant that took the manufacturers 40 attempt to get the formula to NASA's satisfaction, hence the name. WD40 - a legend in its own can."

"Actually... WD=Water Dispersal. NASA needed away to get water condensation away from the electrical systems in the space capsules. I played golf with the inventor. It was actually invented to Disperse Water but works as a loosening lubricant very well."

nickdz · **Joined:** Mon Sep 05, 2005 12:33 pm **Posts:** 14

Sorry to everybody for not logging into the forum lately and posting replies...

I have some updates on the grunting noise. After I pulled the struts and tightened the top nut the noise did go away. But after taking it offroading the noise came back. Either over time, or immediately following an offroading trip where water gets up in the area, the noise comes back.

The vibration can easily be felt/heard in the spring (using stethoscope) and it appears as though it's coming from the bottom of the spring. The spring to poly-base-spacer interface.

The way I get the noise to go away is to spray the bottom of the spring with WD-40 (I have no idea why it didn't work before I tightened the top nut, but it works now).

I'm a little disappointed that the Frankenlift is making this noise. But, the way I see it my only option is to spray it when the noise comes back.

I hope this helps you guys....

tommudd · **Posted:** Sat Jan 10, 2009 11:50 am

Some make noise some don't it seems,

Grunting Noise After Frankenlift Install

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