Front suspension noise?

Science_Guy · **Posted:** Mon Jan 16, 2006 5:23 pm

Today while driving, I hit a speed bump at about 10mph and heard a loud sound from the front suspension. I repeated it several times and each time I would hear the unsetting sound. It sounded like a metal banging on metal. Is this what a ball joint failure would sound like or am I just hypersensitive? What else could be making this sound? I called the dealership and they can not schedule me in to even look at it until Thur or Friday (even then I will need to leave the jeep with them).

the1jferg · **Posted:** Mon Jan 16, 2006 5:25 pm

Had a brake job recently? I don't know if the KJ has anti-rattle clips, never looked?

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Mon Jan 16, 2006 5:29 pm

Sway bar bushing. Always a killer. Took mine off and put some silcone grease on them, took care of it. Doesnt need to go to the dealer for that. They will probably screw it up even more.

Science_Guy · **Posted:** Mon Jan 16, 2006 5:31 pm

the1jferg wrote:

Had a brake job recently?

Nope, not that I know of. I have had the KJ about a month now. ~30k miles.

Skyjump136 · **Joined:** Tue Jul 05, 2005 6:50 pm **Posts:** 1633

Swaybar bushings as stated before. It happens to everybody eventually. If the bushings are dry then the sounds usually begin when the temps fall.

By the way, sorry about the Colts. Go Broncos.

Science_Guy · **Posted:** Mon Jan 16, 2006 6:38 pm

Skyjump136 wrote:

Swaybar bushings...

OK, so how do I grease them? And talk in simple terms that even a noob could understand :lol:

<< n00b

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Mon Jan 16, 2006 7:31 pm

Hang on and ill run out to take some pics. Im going to freeze my butt off just so i can teach, a teacher!! hahaha, :twisted:

Edit: Ok, i want to start out by saying if you dont feel ok doing this, it is ok to take it to the dealer, they will know what to do if you tell them the sway bars bushings are making noise. I know i said dont do this, but the sway bar is nothing to mess with and screw up.

You will need a 18mm socket and a nice ratchet, i like 1/2 drive b/c its alittle bigger. heres a pic of a socket, lol, you said to be very specific.

heres the sway bar and the bushing.

Take the two nuts off holding the bracket on and pull it off. The bushing has a slit in the back so it can come off the bar. The bushing may or may not come off with the bracket, mine didnt and i had to pull it off. Clean it up very good along with where the bushing goes on the sway bar. I used dielectric grease which you can get from any auto parts store for $.99. Its used on spark plug wires also. Dont put alot on the bushing, it doesnt take much at all, and i also put some on the bar. Do the other side the same, theres two. PM me if you need help, Ill even take mine off and take pics for ya if u want me too. Tighten them back to 110ftlbs if youve got a torque wrench, if not just get them really tight. And its a good idea to check them around 100miles later.

zskys · **Posted:** Mon Jan 16, 2006 7:37 pm

If they are cracked, grease isn't going to help. They may need to be replaced.

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Mon Jan 16, 2006 7:55 pm

its a 2004, they should be fine.

Science_Guy · **Posted:** Mon Jan 16, 2006 8:15 pm

Looks easy enough...

Will try that tomorrow after work. Thanks Jeepjeepster!

Guyute1210 · **Posted:** Tue Jan 17, 2006 2:13 pm

If your bushings are cracked and need replaced, Daystar has bushings for $25. http://www.boulderbars.com/kjproducts.htm

MattyMac1 · **Posted:** Tue Jan 17, 2006 11:37 pm

Jeepjeepster
Thanks for going out of your way w/ pics and directions.I have the same noises and will do this fix on Sat weather permitting... Maybe throw this in the tech section??.Very useful easy fix..-mattymac :wink:

snowsport · **Joined:** Tue Oct 18, 2005 11:52 pm **Posts:** 1211

Thanks guys. That post made it clear. I guess I'm a bit of a noob, too, what ever that is.

I've read about the sway bar bushings several times and checked them out in my service manual but I could never get it clear in my head how those suckers could make it around the bends in the sway bar to come off. :oops:

Duh. Just slip them straight off, gotcha. :roll:

Can anybody guess I'm not a mechanic? thanks again! James.

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Wed Jan 18, 2006 3:51 pm

If this does go into the tech, i would like to make a better write up. Your welcome guys!

Tighten them to 110ftlbs, i also changed that in my mini write up. I had 80ftlbs, it is 110ftlbs. Be sure to get these nice and tight if you dont have a torque wrench, very important part when it comes to not flipping your jeep.

Video Guy · **Posted:** Tue Mar 06, 2007 3:27 pm

Guyute1210 wrote:

If your bushings are cracked and need replaced, Daystar has bushings for $25. http://www.boulderbars.com/kjproducts.htm

Is anyone using the Daystar KJ05014BK sway bar bushings on their KJ? Can anyone attest to their quality?

My OEM rubber ones are probably worn out anyway, and the frigid temps are probably exacerbating the problem. For $25 a set, I'm willing to give them a try. KJ moans and groans like an old dog!

T.J.

Video Guy · **Posted:** Wed Mar 07, 2007 11:22 am

After spraying the sway bar bushings and end links last night, I noticed a couple gaps about the width of a dime. (See pictures below?) Are these normal? I didn't try tightening them for fear of screwing up my alignment and whatnot.

Driver side:

Driver side close-up:

Passenger side:

Passenger side, close-up:

The front end still makes little clunking sounds over small bumps. It never did this until around January 1 when the temps got cold and stayed cold. However, I installed a Daystar spacer lift around Thanksgiving. I'm wondering if the groaning and clunking I hear on small bumps and when leaving from a stop are the result of the lift, winter cold, or a combination of both.

Front suspension noise?

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