Front end clunk

06CRD · **Joined:** Fri Aug 26, 2011 5:11 pm **Posts:** 45

I am have some major front end clunking going on. Feels as though it's under my feet and happens when turning and over unsettled ground. What could it be? Nothing I can see is loose, also sway bar bushing replaced without helping the clunk. Local shop thought it was the "rack" in the steering. Ideas? Oh and it started happening after some snow wheeling and has gotten progressively worse.

chdorsey · **Joined:** Tue May 18, 2010 11:26 am **Posts:** 21

I had a clunk in mine that happened when you started from stop or really punched it when moving. Turns out that one of the motor mounts failed. They are both hydraulic and, once they start to leak, they are done.

Chris

papaindigo · **Posted:** Wed Feb 15, 2012 11:30 am

Some possible sources 1) drive shaft "U" joints and/or slip joint, 2) motor mounts (not exactly hydraulic, which implies pumping, but certainly fluid filled) keep in mind that both mounts are identical but for the heat shield that can be moved so save $10 or so and buy 2 without the heat shield, 3) CV joints but I'd check 1 and 2 first.

BioCRD · **Posted:** Wed Feb 15, 2012 3:25 pm

The front sway bar-to-links attachment bolts are flanged, and go through rather oversize holes in the sway bar, so rely on the proper torque to keep things solid. A front-end shop had left mine just snugged up, not torqued to spec - the result was quite an audible "clunk" when the front wheel went over a small bump, even at a very slow speed. The torque is spec'd in the service manual, I can't recall it offhand - want to say 80 or 100 ft/lbs, quite a bit for the small bolts.

bluecollarguy · **Posted:** Wed Feb 15, 2012 4:40 pm

My front end turning clunk got better with new lower ball joints, then disappeared completely with new uppers (JBA) and OME struts/coils so it could be either of those. Not sure if you need to go to that full replacement level though.

irollgen4s · **Posted:** Wed Feb 15, 2012 4:51 pm

I've got a clunk in mine that i think is both CV's are bad. new upper ball joints with JBA upper arms and new lowers installed a month ago. CV's have 163k on them.. so i think they're bad by now. They also pop when im steering, especially standing still or going slow.

Edit: i also have JBA's quick disco's, unsure if that affects this or not, but i figure i'd throw it in.

06CRD · **Joined:** Fri Aug 26, 2011 5:11 pm **Posts:** 45

Thanks for the help. I should mention I only have 43k miles on the Jeep. I know it wasnt driven hard before i bought it, it was owned by an older couple who towed it behind their motorhome. That sway bar torque spec sounds like I should try that as well. Could off roading a bit "loosen" up those sway bar end link bolts?

Thanks

clday25 · **Posted:** Wed Feb 15, 2012 5:52 pm

Man! I've got the same clunk going on :cry:

I get the clunk after I've been driving awhile, its like it loosen's up after driving a bit, and i feel it under my feet over every freak'n bump.

Been trying to figure it out since it started during hunting season last year (November). I'd previously over last summer had new upper ball joints installed, and also tore down the front end to swap in a used Dana 30a with 4.10's and a new DTT. I don't remember hearing it / feeling it until some pretty rough miles driven in the woods. I've tried tightening every suspension bolt but it hasn't change... no worse, no better.

I'll give the sway-bar mounts another tightening but i'm not very hopeful.

Someone please help :banghead:

06CRD · **Joined:** Fri Aug 26, 2011 5:11 pm **Posts:** 45

Yep that is EXACTLY how my sound works. Its silent for the first 5-10 mins of driving then loosens up and clunks to hell and back...extremely annoying and makes me feel like im driving a pile that will fall apart soon!! A local mechanic thinks it could be the rack in the steering but that is a costly fix that may not even fix it.

06CRD · **Joined:** Fri Aug 26, 2011 5:11 pm **Posts:** 45

Well, an update. Two suspension shops looked at it, one being les schwab and neither one has a clue. They tightened every bolt they could and checked everything for play and they can't find anything. Come on guys help me figure this out!! Not only is it annoying, I'm by determined to figure it out.

MRausch82 · **Posted:** Fri Feb 17, 2012 5:54 pm

Motor mounts. Mine does it too. I have two new ones, but need to find someone to install them. I don't have the time currently to do it myself... Replace them, and I bet you're troubles will be over.

AZ CRD · **Posted:** Sat Feb 18, 2012 9:35 am

I have a clunck too at slow speed over bumps.

What would be the diagnostic test for motor mounts?

papaindigo · **Posted:** Sat Feb 18, 2012 10:24 am

See http://www.greendieselengineering.com/f ... t/115.page for some hints although remove and shake seems to be the only sure way. I do recall some discussion of 1) gun the engine in neutral and see if it twists a lot on the mounts and 2) at least one case were motor mount collapse almost let the oil pan touch the cross member.

06CRD · **Joined:** Fri Aug 26, 2011 5:11 pm **Posts:** 45

It's definitely not the motor mount. It's something on the front right of the vehicle. And it clunks only. No vibration. It does it turning, over bumps, and any shift in weight.

dr5chrome · **Posted:** Sun Dec 28, 2014 3:10 am

did you ever find out what this problem was??

dw

06CRD wrote:

It's definitely not the motor mount. It's something on the front right of the vehicle. And it clunks only. No vibration. It does it turning, over bumps, and any shift in weight.

flman · **Posted:** Sun Dec 28, 2014 11:13 am

Loose motor mount nut? Are you capable of tightening these your self?

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Front end clunk

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