I put a 3" suspension lift on about 25,000 miles ago and it has been trouble free until today.

I got in and pulled out of my driveway and there was a noticeable clunking sound coming from the front end. Almost sounded like I had a big rock stuck in the tire and every time it turned over it you could feel a vibration and hear a loud thud.
When driving this sound went away over 5mph but showed up again around 50 mph.

When the 4WD is engaged it seems to do it more...

When I got to work I crawled under her and noticed a considerable amount of play in both front axles.
When I got back home I crawled under my wife’s and inspected her front axles...they had no play in them what so ever. Are my front axles going?

Anyone else have the front axles go out as a result of your lift kit? Is something else wrong that I am missing?

I priced out the axles at NAPA and I can get them for $86 bucks a piece, but I want to make sure that this is what is wrong.

Is there a solution to keep this from happening again?

I hear ya loud and clear.

Mine did the same thing but I was not lifted yet. One of my CV boots had a tear in it and the cv joint went bad. I had to replace the drivers side drive shaft and cv joint.

it cost me about 600 beans because I had no choice but to have the strealer do the work. I was in a bind, it broke at the dealer and I could not drive it.

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2003 KJ Sport JEEPZILLA Edition
American Flag flying high
Frankenlift removed =(
Moabs and plenty of pin striping
Flexable people don't get bent out of shape!
Current MPG 6" to a gallon
L.O.S.T. # BL065211
www.ItAtYourHome.com

Ouch... that hurts !


My question is since I am pretty sure now that it is indeed my front axles, what do I do to help prevent this from happening in another 20k miles?

Or is it just one of those things?

What kind of 3" lift are you running in the front, it could possibly be the upper B-Joint making noise. Check them before you run out and get axles.

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Slightly modified Lt. Khaki 3.7 2004 LTD 4X4. Purchased new 8/6/03.
What I don't have....A Mag light mounted to my seat.
Original Old L.O.S.T. #000354

Nick's Pics & Mods click here: http://www.cardomain.com/ride/531173
http://www.survivaltopics.com/forums/

Also check for play in the front driveshaft.... It makes that noise too (since it has a CV joint)

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Have fun out there.

2003 Cactus Green Renegade w/ NP231 & NV3550
Al's 4th Gen UCAs
Custom 3.5" Lift
Rear DTT
Spidertraxed 245/75/16 Maxxis Bighorns

Check out this lengthy thread on a similar issue that I have. Don't be fooled by the noise going away when pulling the front shaft. I replaced my front ds and the noise came right back. I'm thinking it is a front axle shaft bearing on the driver's side (already replaced the passenger side), or now it's beginning to make a sound like the CV is on its way out. I would check those two things.

I have yet to tear into mine, as it mostly just sits in the garage and doesn't get driven much.

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2002 Jeep Liberty Renegade
Rusty's 2.5" Coil Lift w/ clevis lift
245/75/16 & Cragar Soft 8's