Clunking and bumping

Calvin56 · **Joined:** Fri Jul 08, 2005 1:59 am **Posts:** 345

I went up to Chiavo falls here in Az and did some pretty fun stuff- perhaps a little rougher than usual. I went with 2 Wranglers and a Toyota. Poor Toy had too be winched up a hill- drivers quote was " If you can make it in that thing, I'll be fine." Hehe. Anyway everyone was astonished at how well the KJ did, only problem is a clunking sound up front when I go over bumps now. Everything appears to be in order- no springs sticking out at weird angles, no loose nuts- I put the swaybar back in and tightened that up again. Any ideas?

Pics of the trail and fun stuff:
http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2062875/1

TheChucklesStart · **Posted:** Wed Jul 27, 2005 12:50 am

I have a similar problem, and I have been planning on taking it to the dealer when I get a chance to have them look at it.

If you kick the top of the passenger side front tire (or drivers side, but mine comes from the passenger side) do you get a similar sound that is not there on the other side?

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

Try taking off the sway bar, clean the bushings, and lube everything with some non-petroleum based grease (bushings, links, and brackets). Usually that takes care of the gremlins in the front end of the KJ.

Chuckles - I'd be concerned in your particular situation. That could be a ball joint going out. Try jacking that wheel off the ground and see if there's any play in the top joint.

lilmatty · **Posted:** Wed Jul 27, 2005 10:51 am

Check your skids for dings. Especially look for a slight bow in the tranny skid that might allow you dirver's side exhaust header to be too close to the skid.

Calvin56 · **Joined:** Fri Jul 08, 2005 1:59 am **Posts:** 345

My skid is fine, but i'd imagine the skid/header would sound like more of a tapping?

This is a heavier clunking sound, definately up in the front right- almost sounds like the swaybar is disconnected and banging around. I'll try the lube later today.

skrracing · **Posted:** Wed Jul 27, 2005 4:17 pm

I have head this same noise on mnay KJs. Some lifted, some not lifted, and with all the different kits out there. I am not sure but think it is the cover around the CV on the passanger side (long shaft side). I have noticed that the cover seems to have tons of play in it compared to the drivers side (short shaft side).

I really think we are all hearing the cv cover bouncing around and making noise. If you grab the drivers side axle shaft and cv cover you will not be able to move it very much. But move over to the passanger side and it has a lot of play.

I have noticed that this even applies to a non lifted KJ after it has some miles on it. I dont think it is a problem because my first KJ had maybe 6 different lifts or more on it and it did it all the time. My second KJ has only had one lift on it and it has asways done it as well. Hope that helps. Later...Clint

dirtykj · **Posted:** Wed Jul 27, 2005 5:12 pm

Calvin56 wrote:

I went up to Chiavo falls here in Az and did some pretty fun stuff- perhaps a little rougher than usual. I went with 2 Wranglers and a Toyota. Poor Toy had too be winched up a hill- drivers quote was " If you can make it in that thing, I'll be fine." Hehe. Anyway everyone was astonished at how well the KJ did, only problem is a clunking sound up front when I go over bumps now. Everything appears to be in order- no springs sticking out at weird angles, no loose nuts- I put the swaybar back in and tightened that up again. Any ideas?

Pics of the trail and fun stuff:
http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2062875/1

I've had this noise ever since I put the Rusty's lift on

I asked around, and Jeff said to let Clint check it out. Maybe at the next lift party. It's darn odd. Like you, I didn't see anything obviously out of place.

dirtykj · **Posted:** Wed Jul 27, 2005 5:15 pm

skrracing wrote:

I have head this same noise on mnay KJs. Some lifted, some not lifted, and with all the different kits out there. I am not sure but think it is the cover around the CV on the passanger side (long shaft side). I have noticed that the cover seems to have tons of play in it compared to the drivers side (short shaft side).

I really think we are all hearing the cv cover bouncing around and making noise. If you grab the drivers side axle shaft and cv cover you will not be able to move it very much. But move over to the passanger side and it has a lot of play.

I have noticed that this even applies to a non lifted KJ after it has some miles on it. I dont think it is a problem because my first KJ had maybe 6 different lifts or more on it and it did it all the time. My second KJ has only had one lift on it and it has asways done it as well. Hope that helps. Later...Clint

The only input I have to add is ... yes, the noise does seem more pronounced coming from the passenger side. Maybe you can take a look at mine at the lift party and just kind of, you know, look a little deeper? This might be ideal vehicle :wink:

because it's pretty much brand-new, and things ought to be in new-enough shape that worn boots or anything of the sort ought not to be an issue.

TheChucklesStart · **Posted:** Wed Aug 03, 2005 10:10 pm

My noise seems to have died down recently.... I dunno, maybe it was my sway bar settling into place, has anyone else done anything with there sway bar?

WestyKJ · **Posted:** Wed Aug 03, 2005 11:58 pm

Mine did this very thing after a hard day of wheeling last year. It turned out to be a loose sway bar end link. I couldn't tell by looking, but 4 Wheel Parts diagnosed and fixed at no charge. They had installed my lift several months earlier.

Mike

WV(0)IIIIIII(0) · **Posted:** Thu Aug 04, 2005 8:19 am

Had the same noise when going over speed bumps or across streets, was going to take it to the dealer and didn't hear the noise anymore. I guess the part fell off or it setteled into place

iliveinacage · **Posted:** Wed Aug 10, 2005 9:10 pm

i can hear mine rattling right now while its parked in the street....

hoss75 · **Posted:** Wed Aug 10, 2005 10:04 pm

iliveinacage wrote:

i can hear mine rattling right now while its parked in the street....

You may be having an earthquake, check with your local news!

Clunking and bumping

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