Ok, mechanic today found my right side "Front Cam Bolt" loose. I got that id from pgs 2-10 & 2-11 of the KJ service man. after he pointed out the part to me. I was getting a bad clunk when braking. Of course I've had this problem for over a year and Jeep has yet to diagnose it.

What does this bolt do beside just act as a mounting/pivot point? Looks to me like this bolt just mounts the lower control arm to the rest of the suspension/frame. The reason I am asking is that the pic shows a "cam" type bolt (hence the name) and shows an elliptical washer on it. Does this mean there is some type of adjustment/alignment there that has to be done a certain way or can the bolt just be tightened down (as mine was today)?


Red - Front cam bolt (loose)
Green - elliptical washer (why is it elliptical?)
Blue - frame mounts
Orange - rubber bushing control arm sits on
Yellow - Lower Control arm (I think this was sliding back & forth causing banging noise)

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My pics!!
'03 Rennie w/all Tupperware
Custom Roof Basket
Mopar Tubular Brush Guard
Garmin GPS V & Laptop w/Nav software
RAM products laptop mount
Maglite w/mount
Rear cargo bay tool cabinet
AllJs Rear Shelf
Rear receiver
250k miles!
LOST #CR051230

It's used to adjust the alignment of the front end,you should have the alignment checked out so as not to wear out your front tires faster.

Thanks for the explanation! Hmmm.... Funny how Jeep never noticed this was loose. Including when they changed out my LBJs 2 weeks ago!

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My pics!!
'03 Rennie w/all Tupperware
Custom Roof Basket
Mopar Tubular Brush Guard
Garmin GPS V & Laptop w/Nav software
RAM products laptop mount
Maglite w/mount
Rear cargo bay tool cabinet
AllJs Rear Shelf
Rear receiver
250k miles!
LOST #CR051230

That's poor form on they're behalf. That bolt is crucial to your alignment. I hope you havent done too many miles since then

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Custom, Comfortable & Capable.......just the way it should be

Well, if in fact that's what was causing the clunk - it's been like that for over a year! But my tires are wearing evenly, so who knows.........

_________________
My pics!!
'03 Rennie w/all Tupperware
Custom Roof Basket
Mopar Tubular Brush Guard
Garmin GPS V & Laptop w/Nav software
RAM products laptop mount
Maglite w/mount
Rear cargo bay tool cabinet
AllJs Rear Shelf
Rear receiver
250k miles!
LOST #CR051230

When you get an alignment, they adjust your camber, caster and toe. The front and rear cam bolt adjusts you camber/caster. Your tie rods adjust your toe. The rear cannot be aligned.

More information on each here:

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/ ... p?techid=4

EDIT: also read pages 2-3 to 2-6 on your service manual about wheel alignment.

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2002 Jeep KJ Sport 3.7L 4x4

245/75-16 Mastercraft Courser HSX, 16x7 Cragar, 2" OME MD Lift, ARB Bumper
AEM Brute Force Cold Air Intake, Flowmaster Super 44 Muffler

Currently working on: Full service on transmission & bed-lining ARB bumper

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