*FIXED!!!* Strange popping noise from front passenger side

Gordo · **Posted:** Sun Dec 10, 2006 5:01 pm

Just today I noticed that my KJ is making a strange popping noise from the front passenger side wheel. I thought it might be a couple of things - let me know what you think. The noise only happens when I am making a turn and go over a dip or a bump.

1. I have 245/75/16 MTRs and I have never flattened the pinch weld. It has rubbed the whole time, but today I noticed that it has worked a hole in the plastic. It could be catching the hole there and popping the plastic a bit.

2. I have had the LBJ recall done, but with all of the failures in the past, I get worried. What does LBJ failure look/sound like? I noticed some grease on the outside, but there is just a little bit and it is on both sides. The grease is old and dirty, so I can tell it is not new to being on the outside. It makes me wonder if the mechanics at the dealership weren't just a bit careless.

Does anybody have any ideas? It makes me a bit nervous to drive it around to be honest with you.

Thanks!

Gordo · **Posted:** Sun Dec 10, 2006 5:16 pm

I just saw this... maybe this has something to do with it...

Cacher123 wrote:

Quote:

Just out of curiosity, what were the suspension components causing the clunk in the front end?

Evidently the "Cam adj bolt" or something like that. It had to do with the wheel alignment. When I hit the brakes it was loose enough that the whole arm slid forward and made the clunk. Got worse when it was wet because the water reduced the friction on the bushings.
This bolt:

DarbyWalters · **Posted:** Sun Dec 10, 2006 6:05 pm

Could also be a bad CVJoint...they start clacking when they are going bad

corwyyn · **Posted:** Sun Dec 10, 2006 9:26 pm

Another thing to consider is the sway bar and control links. I was having a problem with a similar noise (one tire going over a bump, making a left turn), it was a definite 'thunk' or 'clunk' sound. Several people pointed me in the direction of the sway bar, and today I finally tracked down the problem (I think). When I installed my Daystar lift I had loosened the drivers side control link where it connects to the sway bar, and when I was done I apparently forgot to tighten it. Noise drove me semi-insane for the past few weeks, so today I took the entire sway bar assembly off and went wheeling. What do you know, no more noise! When I was removing the assembly I noticed the one side was loose, so when I put it back together I made sure to tighten all the connections.

Might not be a bad idea to just spend some time on your back and just check all the front end components for general wear and overall tightness. Hope you find it soon...

Gordo · **Posted:** Mon Dec 11, 2006 2:22 am

Will I be safe to drive it like this? It makes me nervous. I am just so busy this week as it is finals week. It's amazing how this always seems to happen at the worst time.

AZScout · **Posted:** Mon Dec 11, 2006 3:51 am

If it is a CV joint, I drove on mine for two weeks before they fixed it. It was fine in a straight line and clacked when I turned. It was steadily geting louder as the days went by but I was assured it would be fine to drive until they could fix it. Whether that was BS or not I don't know but everything turned out OK.

Gordo · **Posted:** Mon Dec 11, 2006 11:35 am

AZScout wrote:

If it is a CV joint, I drove on mine for two weeks before they fixed it. It was fine in a straight line and clacked when I turned. It was steadily geting louder as the days went by but I was assured it would be fine to drive until they could fix it. Whether that was BS or not I don't know but everything turned out OK.

How much did it cost you to repair the CV joint? I just want to know what kind of a hit I should expect this Christmas.
Thanks

Gordo · **Posted:** Mon Dec 11, 2006 5:58 pm

Some more information as I have driven the KJ a bit more today.

1. It does not depend on turning the wheels at all - the popping/clunking happens when I go over a bump/dip whether or not I am turning the wheels or I am driving straight.

2. It only happens of speeds at 5-30mph. On the freeway and other streets that have a 35+ speed limit, I never hear a peep.

3. It is definitely not the pinch weld.

4. I popped the hood and looked at the strut assembly mounting bolts that are under the air box and they appear to be tight.

Any other ideas? Thanks to everyone already. Your input is valuable.

4wdParakeet · **Posted:** Mon Dec 11, 2006 6:06 pm

I just got back from the shop today. I had to order new pass. side sway bar link, bolts, washers, and nuts. I have a major clunk when I hit bumps.
Have someone rock your jeep back and forth with you watching the front end and if it's something loose you should be able to see slack somewhere. Hope you find it.

Parakeet

LostRenegade · **Posted:** Mon Dec 11, 2006 10:51 pm

Check your upper ball joints also. I have a similar noise on my driverside. I nearly freaked when I saw how much play I had with this UBJ. I immediately went online and ordered Al's A-ARMS. Can't wait to get them on.

AZScout · **Posted:** Tue Dec 12, 2006 6:25 pm

Gordo...mine was covered under warranty. I don't know the price of a new one. Sorry.

KJ04 · **Posted:** Tue Dec 12, 2006 6:32 pm

Yeah, check the upper ball joint, mine went out at about 20,000 mi..

iliveinacage · **Posted:** Wed Dec 13, 2006 11:08 am

Keep an eye on your upper ball joints!!!!

I was driving the other day and hit an unavoidable NJ style pothole with my passenger side front tire. Not a pot hole that should cause this but it did. I was only going 10-15mph and my upper ball joint failed. Fortunatly it didnt cause the wheel to rip off. The upper control arm was now resting on my rim. I was able to nurse it to a safe location. Had i been driving at a faster speed who knows what would've happened. Getting it fixed right now and im going to have the drivers side UBJ replaced for piece of mind. Ironicly enough i just had the most recent LBJ recall done 2 weeks ago....

LostRenegade · **Posted:** Wed Dec 13, 2006 11:18 am

The dealership should have checked the UBJ when they did the LBJ recall. Mine did and they said they were fine. This was a couple of months ago. Mine are pretty loose and almost to the point of failure. So I ordered Al's A-Arms for the replacement. Fex ex says they will arrive today... :lol:

Gordo · **Posted:** Wed Dec 13, 2006 12:20 pm

I guess if upper ball joints are the problem, I would probably be better off money wise to order Al's Upper A Arms and do the work myself rather that take it in to the stealership.

LostRenegade · **Posted:** Wed Dec 13, 2006 1:00 pm

I hope to put them on this weekend. I'll post on how this has helped.

iliveinacage · **Posted:** Wed Dec 13, 2006 4:12 pm

After my UBJ failure im going to order Al's arms. I didnt have the funds at this time to replace the failed UBJ with Al's arms at this time, but as soon as i do thats my first priority.

Gordo · **Posted:** Wed Dec 13, 2006 4:40 pm

iliveinacage wrote:

After my UBJ failure im going to order Al's arms. I didnt have the funds at this time to replace the failed UBJ with Al's arms at this time, but as soon as i do thats my first priority.

How much did you pay to have them replaced? Did you go to a dealership to have it done?

iliveinacage · **Posted:** Thu Dec 14, 2006 11:54 am

This is what happened. My strut came loose at the top from the mount. It was rattling around inside the spring. I hit a pothole low speed with the wheels turned to the right. The turn and the pothole must have given the UBJ enough force to pop it out of the socket. All said and done i needed a new A arm/UBJ and strut mount. The jeep a-arm/ubj was 180, the mount was 85 plus labor came to $460, and that was just for passenger side! I would have done the work myself but my vehicle wasn't too close to home when it happened so i had it dont at a local shop.

I dont know if anyone else has had a problem with Rusty's struts coming loose from the mounts, i wonder if it was just a fluke. But as preventative maintaince i recommend lifted KJ's get Al's a arms with the replaceable UBJ's. its cheaper in the long run than doing what i had to do.

Gordo · **Posted:** Fri Dec 15, 2006 1:22 am

So it turns out that there was a loose bolt that was making th popping noise. I think it was the bolt that you take off to disconnect the front sway bar - but I may be wrong. I can take a picture tomorrow if anyone is interested.

I am just so happy that it is not a CV or UBJ.

Thanks to everyone who helped. Everyone here is so helpful - it's great to be associated with LOST.

FIXED!!! Strange popping noise from front passenger side

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