Another Clunking KJ*** Video Added***

Jeep4me99 · **Posted:** Wed Feb 27, 2008 12:54 pm

To start, I just replaced my front drivers CV and put in Al's A-arms. I notice when I hit a bump, usually a pot hole or something of that size, I get a big clunk sound!! It seems to be coming from up front, almost in the front diff area. I check the front driveshaft and CVs. They are both fine. This is in 2wd, but almost sounds like a kind of binding. There are no leaks anywhere, so fluids should be ok. I just can't figure it out. I really don't think its the sway bar. I'll try disconecting it and see if the clunk is still there.

But any ideas here? hmmmmmmmmmmmm

tommudd · **Posted:** Wed Feb 27, 2008 1:19 pm

I would just go back through and check every bolt/nut etc to make sure all is tight!

kolesy · **Posted:** Wed Feb 27, 2008 1:29 pm

Is it your upper a arm hittin the spring?

Do they contact each other when the suspension is at full droop up front?

Mike

sleeve84028 · **Posted:** Wed Feb 27, 2008 1:32 pm

You hear a clunk when you hit a bump. The suspension is in compression for the inital part of the bump, and then extension for the second half of the bump... I'd get a buddy to lean on the front end and see if you can spot the supsected loose bolt.

(Starting with the parts that you just replaced)

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Wed Feb 27, 2008 1:42 pm

First check for any loose bolts/nuts(swaybar and LCA mount bolts first).If they are all tight----did you add longer front upper bumpstops? If not you may be bottoming out the strut before the UCA hits the bumpstop and can make that noise,it'll destroy your struts also.

Jeep4me99 · **Posted:** Wed Feb 27, 2008 1:49 pm

I'll checked all the bolts, but the sound seems too loud for a loose nut. It seems to be coming from the middle of the vehicle as well.
I didn't extend the bump stops yet, but I don't think that is the problem cause the suspension isn't fully compressing on one side.
The a-arms aren't contacting the spring, and the suspension isn't getting to full droop, its happens when just driving down the road, haven't really taken it off-road yet till i get the sound fixed. The a-arms were contacting the inner fender where they come out of the "frame" but that portion has since folded itself over.

I'll try to take some video and see if it can be heard.

Jeep4me99 · **Posted:** Wed Feb 27, 2008 2:36 pm

ok, got a video, who knows if you can tell from this. but here is some additional info, maybe usefull

Just got an alignment on sunday (took them 1.5 hours). Don't really remember clunk prior to that.

Clunk even happens when backing out of garage and front tires go down that lil 1 inch lip.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aPcbJRPvPJQ

corwyyn · **Posted:** Wed Feb 27, 2008 2:42 pm

Jeep4me99 wrote:

Do really remember clunk prior to that.

Do you mean you don't really remember it prior to the alignment? If that's the case then I would definitely check all the stuff that they might have loosened (or better still take it bake to them and let them do it). It does sound like something is loose up there.

Jeep4me99 · **Posted:** Wed Feb 27, 2008 2:46 pm

corwyyn wrote:

Jeep4me99 wrote:

Do really remember clunk prior to that.

Do you mean you don't really remember it prior to the alignment? If that's the case then I would definitely check all the stuff that they might have loosened (or better still take it bake to them and let them do it). It does sound like something is loose up there.

typo, fixed it...yeah don't remember. The only clunk i remember was the A-arm hitting the "frame". But's definately not that now, totally different sound. I am going to call the place that did the alignment, hopefully they missed something, or they will tell me whats wrong so I can fix it.

KJ04 · **Posted:** Wed Feb 27, 2008 5:46 pm

I think Meh_Kick was getting some kind of clunking noise awhile back and it turned out to be a strut nut was loose.

dloc_jeep_KJ · **Posted:** Wed Feb 27, 2008 8:46 pm

i had the same noise and tightened the strut nut up and it was gone!

Jeep4me99 · **Posted:** Wed Feb 27, 2008 10:31 pm

KJ04 wrote:

I think Meh_Kick was getting some kind of clunking noise awhile back and it turned out to be a strut nut was loose.

I had that noise on my Rusty's lift, this one seems louder and not from the same area. I'm going back to the alignment shop tomo morning, hopefully they find something.

Jeep4me99 · **Posted:** Thu Feb 28, 2008 11:23 am

Got back from the alignment shop, they said everything they did was tight up front. The guy said it may be body noise, yeah right, OR it could be the front drive shaft. I asked him to show me what he meant. He was able to move the front DS up and down a little bit, the movement was where the DS goes into the transfer case.
Should there be any play at that juncture??? I can get video of this if needed.

ps. I checked the front to back movement of the front DS and it is fine, nothing excessive, very minimal. Again, No fluids leaking anywhere.

Thanks, Bryan

struggle07 · **Posted:** Wed Apr 02, 2008 9:32 pm

Did you ever find out what was causing the clunk? I just lifted mine this past weekend and I have a noise. I haven't figured out what it is yet.

Jeep4me99 · **Posted:** Wed Apr 02, 2008 9:53 pm

struggle07 wrote:

Did you ever find out what was causing the clunk? I just lifted mine this past weekend and I have a noise. I haven't figured out what it is yet.

well i'm pretty sure it is the a-arms hitting the pocket, they have since folded the excess metal over, but there is still a clunk. I should actually be meeting up with some people either this weekend or next to cut off the extra metal and see if it solves the problem. It that isn't the complete fix, i have no clue what it is.

To see if it was actually the a-arm hitting the pocket i took some white out and put in on the lip of the metal where the a-arm would contact. If it is the a-arm hitting that, the white out would chip away or be scratched up a bit, in my case it is. So i know there is definate contact going on there and it could be the total or partial cause of the problem.

MoabRox · **Posted:** Thu Apr 03, 2008 10:54 am

I have the same clunk noise. It doesn't make that noise on pot holes of or speed bumps it's just those little road bumps that do it. I have noticed it's mostly on those cracks in the roadway and can't tell if it happens during the compression or extension of the suspension. This noise is driving me crazy!

Tomorrow I am going to tear the front end down again, make sure the strut nut it tight, torque everything again and replace the driver's side CV shaft. I am thinking about taking off the plastic dust covers from the struts just so I know that isn't causing any noise.

I will also check the a-arm and see if that is hitting. Anyone have pics of where it hits or describe it so I can check? All I know is that it was quiet before the lift and since I installed it 3 weeks ago it is driving me crazy.

KJ04 · **Posted:** Thu Apr 03, 2008 5:56 pm

The spring is what hits the BJ, see if there are marks on the inside of the coils.

The Shocker · **Posted:** Fri Apr 04, 2008 1:39 am

i have the same noise, but i thought it was a blown strut are the spring assembly was loose. the noise that i hear is a clinking noise with any pot hole or crack on the road, i checked all the bolts except for where the strut assembly ataches to the frame of the jeep

Jeep4me99 · **Posted:** Fri Apr 04, 2008 6:23 am

The Shocker wrote:

i have the same noise, but i thought it was a blown strut are the spring assembly was loose. the noise that i hear is a clinking noise with any pot hole or crack on the road, i checked all the bolts except for where the strut assembly ataches to the frame of the jeep

what kind of lift are you running....if it is rusty's, then it is most likely the top strut nut. I had that issue with my rusty's lift. The springs are so stiff when you putting the strut in its hard to get that top nut on tight enough, then as the spring settles, which it does alot, there is some vertical play between the strut nut and washer.
I pulled mine back out and retightened, completely solved the drivers side, but the passengers was never 100%.

medic9402 · **Posted:** Sun Apr 06, 2008 6:20 am

Guess what guys, same driver's side noise on mine. The noise was there both before and after I put in my Al's arms. I am thinking along the same lines as Troy on this one. Bump stops are too short. I'm gonna get longer ones as soon as possible (still running stock) but first I have got substantial rust around the third brake light to fix ($315 thank you very much). She goes into the body shop on the 9th and should come out the 12th. After that come the bump-stops. Anyone got any suggestions as to a good replacement stop??? Thanks!!!!!

Another Clunking KJ* Video Added*

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