bump noise in lifted '03 KJ 4x4

TJB2003KJ · **Posted:** Mon May 31, 2010 11:25 pm

My Daystar-lifted '03 KJ (96K+ miles) had new Monroe shocks and struts installed eight months ago. Recently, however, the suspension began making non-metallic sounding clunking noises when driving slowly over speedbumps, driveway curb, etc. The front end dips more when braking now. The Monroe shocks & struts show no visible signs of damage. I originally suspected worn sway bar bushings, but the noise is different from what I experienced with that at 55,000 miles. (Washing and replacing the bushings solved the problem.) I can easily reproduce the noise.

My questions is, how can I troublehsoot this problem without spending a fortune on shop/diagnostic fees? I am not very knowleable about suspensions and don't have a good mechanic's toolkit.

Thanks,
Tim

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Mon May 31, 2010 11:56 pm

Scrape the Monroe shocks and get OME or Rancho's.

2nd they could have put together the front assemblies wrong by leaving out the big washer on top or the top nut came loose.

RED_KJ_666 · **Posted:** Sat Jun 05, 2010 7:03 pm

or the old tried and trusted re-tighten your sway bar end links fix. They are rarely actually tight after a lift is installed from what I hear..... I replaced mine with factory units and then ended up finding them loose a week later making a clunk sound..... Then I broke one and upgraded to Quick disco units.

Budke · **Posted:** Sat Jun 05, 2010 7:35 pm

Yeah, try re tightening the sway bar.
I had the same sound and it ended up being the sway bar.

stumpjumper_09 · **Posted:** Sat Jun 05, 2010 8:12 pm

I'd say check the swaybar and double check the rear shocks to make sure that the top bolts are still good and tight. If Troy is correct and they didn't put the washer back on top of the strut assembly in the front you are in for a world of fun. We didn't put that washer back on either of my front struts and it has been some real interresting nights messing with a live free spring in the front of the kj. Be glad you don't have the old #425 skyjacker springs like I do. If that is the case I would recommend a motocross helmet with full face and goggles.

TJB2003KJ · **Posted:** Tue Jul 06, 2010 8:51 am

Thanks, everybody. I've been told by two garages the sound is caused by the worn-out front coils and the poly spacers. That being the case, I'm ordering OME 926 front springs and will toss the 1.5" spacers. Gonna replace my sway bar bushings too, since I've had a new set (still wrapped in Mopar plastic) laying around my garage for almost two years.

Now I just need to decide whether to replace the rear springs with OME 947 too or wait a few months, since I'm in dire need of a new set of tires. What are your thoughts on this?

tommudd · **Posted:** Tue Jul 06, 2010 10:29 am

Two problems I would say you have, springs needing replaced and cheap shocks, springs will not hold what they should anymore, and the shocks will not dampen the KJ from bouncing. Since you have already ran the Monroes with the bad springs they really need replaced. Do it all together and you'll be good for another 100,000 , just replace the springs and you'll be replacing the shocks in 10/15,000 at most
Its like buying a new pair of shoes and wearing socks with big holes in them :wink:

TJB2003KJ · **Posted:** Sun Jul 11, 2010 11:34 pm

Tom: If I hadn't already spent too much ($500+ including labor) for the SensaTrac shocks eight months ago, I wouldn't hesitate to upgrade them, but it seems like an unnecessary expense right now. I spoke to a reputable suspension tech the other day, and he said my existing shocks would work with the OME926 springs as long as the springs don't radically change the ride height. I'm sure the springs have sagged some, but I'm still taller than stock. In my mind, all I'm doing is swapping 1.5 inches of lift from a poly spacer for the same amount of lift from a spring.

I'm probably not understanding the way a shock absorber functions, because I don't see how a few months of on-road use inside a saggy OE coil spring will keep a strut from doing its job inside a brand new spring. Please explain if you get a minute because I don't want to create more problems in the long term by upgrading only the front coils.

I can't say enough how much I appreciate the experience and the expertise of everyone in this forum. You guys are a great resource.

tommudd · **Posted:** Mon Jul 12, 2010 9:06 am

If I could find it right now I would show you what longtalltexans shocks looked like after taking them off with Daystar lift etc. His set up was much like yours, what happens is that being that your springs are so bad that it is compressing the shocks all the way down and hitting hard, even a few times will blow the shocks out. Doesn't take a long time or many hits to do this.
Now I am not saying I would do this :wink:

but I would think about getting them replaced if possible from where you bought them. They do have some warranty to them I assume? Just a thought

TJB2003KJ · **Posted:** Mon Jul 12, 2010 2:21 pm

tommudd wrote:

What happens is that being that your springs are so bad that it is compressing the shocks all the way down and hitting hard, even a few times will blow the shocks out. Doesn't take a long time or many hits to do this.
Now I am not saying I would do this :wink:

but I would think about getting them replaced if possible from where you bought them. They do have some warranty to them I assume? Just a thought

Won't having taller, stiffer springs help prevent the shock piston from compressing all the way down? Can't extended bumpstops help?

Sears Auto installed my Monroes, which have a lifetime warranty (for as long as they're on that vehicle). They carry some Rancho models, which are what I originally wanted, but they steered me away from those saying that the ride would be too rough on the road. I only saved about $80 total by going with the SensaTracs, and I figured it was a safe move since both brands are made by Tenneco anyway. I will talk with Sears about my need for taller springs and see if they can allow me to trade up and maybe pay only the difference to the next better shocks, be they Rancho, Billstein, or Monroe Reflex. Aren't the Reflex shocks and struts supposed to be tougher? I just e-mailed Monroe to see if they can suggest a product compatible with the OME springs.

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Mon Jul 12, 2010 8:35 pm

TJB2003KJ wrote:

I just e-mailed Monroe to see if they can suggest a product compatible with the OME springs.

Don't listen to what they say.

Get Rancho's or how about OME shocks to go with the OME coils? The OME shocks are designed to go perfectly with the OME coils as a matched set.Makes sense,better then the monroe junk.

stumpjumper_09 · **Posted:** Mon Jul 12, 2010 8:52 pm

I say take them back to where you got them and get a new set, throw them on and run it. The worst that happens is that you have to rip it apart in a year and put good stuff in it. It's a liberty, you'll be ripping it apart in a year to put some JBA UCA's on it anyway. (shut up JL)

tommudd · **Posted:** Mon Jul 12, 2010 9:32 pm

Yes new springs will help but not if the current shocks are already done in. Which I bet if they are not they are close to it. And yes bumpstops will help , but this is all kind of closing the barn door after you see the horse running down the road.
Oh the Ranchos are no way too rough, thats the problem with listening to someone who knows nothing but commission sales

TJB2003KJ · **Posted:** Wed Jul 21, 2010 11:29 pm

Well, fudge! Looks like I need to fork over the extra coin for new OME shocks and struts to match my springs after all. Here's the e-mail response I got from a Monroe website installation inquiry:

Quote:

Thank you for contacting Tenneco Automotive.

Anytime a vehicle is lifted, there is a risk of "topping out" the shocks or struts if longer ones are not used. In some cases, with a small amount of lift, it may be possible to get away with doing this. This is if the driving conditions are normal. Although its possible they may work, our shocks and struts are designed for stock ride height vehicles and we don't recommend using them with a lift.
Thank you for your interest in our products.

For further questions or assistance, please contact technical assistance at 734-384-7809 M - F 8:30am - 5:30pm EST.

Monroe Team Member,
Name Omitted by author

I need to just start listening to the voices of experience on this forum and save myself the headaches. Now I have to fight with Sears Auto to get my money back since the manufacturer states the shocks weren't compatible with my lift. I was up front about the lift from the start, and Sears told me it wouldn't be a problem. They should have known better. I'm not blaming then for my worn-out springs, but the shocks aren't dampening as well as they used to, and another set of Monroes isn't going to work. :banghead:

jeep4life7 · **Posted:** Thu Jul 22, 2010 12:21 am

i had the same thing happen to me get new sway bar bushings

tommudd · **Posted:** Thu Jul 22, 2010 1:30 am

TJB2003KJ wrote:

Well, fudge! Looks like I need to fork over the extra coin for new OME shocks and struts to match my springs after all. Here's the e-mail response I got from a Monroe website installation inquiry:

Quote:

Thank you for contacting Tenneco Automotive.

Anytime a vehicle is lifted, there is a risk of "topping out" the shocks or struts if longer ones are not used. In some cases, with a small amount of lift, it may be possible to get away with doing this. This is if the driving conditions are normal. Although its possible they may work, our shocks and struts are designed for stock ride height vehicles and we don't recommend using them with a lift.
Thank you for your interest in our products.

For further questions or assistance, please contact technical assistance at 734-384-7809 M - F 8:30am - 5:30pm EST.

Monroe Team Member,
Name Omitted by author

I need to just start listening to the voices of experience on this forum and save myself the headaches. Now I have to fight with Sears Auto to get my money back since the manufacturer states the shocks weren't compatible with my lift. I was up front about the lift from the start, and Sears told me it wouldn't be a problem. They should have known better. I'm not blaming then for my worn-out springs, but the shocks aren't dampening as well as they used to, and another set of Monroes isn't going to work. :banghead:

Most of us try and give out good advice some take it and have a long life, others argue the point and have a short life span .....due to bouncing down the road with crappy suspensions :ROTFL:

Budke · **Posted:** Thu Jul 22, 2010 7:36 am

I got the best suspension set up for you. :BANANA:

jeep4life7 · **Posted:** Thu Jul 22, 2010 10:22 am

tommudd wrote:

TJB2003KJ wrote:

Well, fudge! Looks like I need to fork over the extra coin for new OME shocks and struts to match my springs after all. Here's the e-mail response I got from a Monroe website installation inquiry:

Quote:

Thank you for contacting Tenneco Automotive.

Anytime a vehicle is lifted, there is a risk of "topping out" the shocks or struts if longer ones are not used. In some cases, with a small amount of lift, it may be possible to get away with doing this. This is if the driving conditions are normal. Although its possible they may work, our shocks and struts are designed for stock ride height vehicles and we don't recommend using them with a lift.
Thank you for your interest in our products.

For further questions or assistance, please contact technical assistance at 734-384-7809 M - F 8:30am - 5:30pm EST.

Monroe Team Member,
Name Omitted by author

I need to just start listening to the voices of experience on this forum and save myself the headaches. Now I have to fight with Sears Auto to get my money back since the manufacturer states the shocks weren't compatible with my lift. I was up front about the lift from the start, and Sears told me it wouldn't be a problem. They should have known better. I'm not blaming then for my worn-out springs, but the shocks aren't dampening as well as they used to, and another set of Monroes isn't going to work. :banghead:

Most of us try and give out good advice some take it and have a long life, others argue the point and have a short life span .....due to bouncing down the road with crappy suspensions :ROTFL:

if he didnt stick with me when i was asking for help on my lift i would be very poor in the long run but in 2 week ill be driving me kj on clouds lol

bump noise in lifted '03 KJ 4x4

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