Squeaky Turning, Suspension

ChesterCRD · **Posted:** Thu Oct 02, 2014 2:25 pm

I am searching too, but getting caught up in all the sway bar bushings and ball joint posts. I haven't found exactly what I'm experiencing yet, and I haven't gotten under it to isolate the noise yet either. I thought I'd see ideas you all have since the rest has to wait for the weekend.

So, I started noticing a slight squeak when turning the wheel at low speeds Monday. Next thing I noticed (maybe related, maybe not) is a looseness in the steering at highway speeds. It's almost like there's 5 degrees of play in the steering wheel before it starts to move the wheels and the wheels are turning back and forth slowly in this slop area as I go down the highway. Anyway, this is what it feels like. Not a tire balance kind of shake. Not a steering unit kind of squeal.

Today I drove it about 150 miles and when I stopped, the steering is making a very loud squeak at low speed. The sound is coming from under the front end and can be felt through the floor pan at times. It's very noticeable outside the vehicle. The same noise is heard when going over bumps (even small parking ramp seams). Very squeaky. I can see the bumps being sway bar related, but can't think how the steering could be.

If you have ideas please let me know. The suspension is all stock.

tommudd · **Posted:** Thu Oct 02, 2014 3:29 pm

What all have you checked so far?
Hard to say for sure but have you checked the balljoints/tie rod ends?
Could also be the rack going bad and causing the steering issues and noises.

mass-hole · **Posted:** Thu Oct 02, 2014 4:34 pm

is it the actual act of turning the steering wheel that causes the squeak or is it while you are driving mid turn that it squeaks?

ChesterCRD · **Posted:** Thu Oct 02, 2014 5:02 pm

It squeaks when I turn the wheel and when the front suspension moves, even small movements. I couldn't handle the suspense so I left work and took a look. After some more testing I think the highway steering issue might be just the tires. They are pretty worn down and the steering is perfectly tight at low speed (where I can move the wheel and see the tire...no slop there).

Upon further inspection the problem appears to be the driver side upper ball joint. Even small movements of the steering wheel will make it squeak, but only when there's weight on it. If I jack it up the squeak goes away.

So....If I understand things correctly I need new A-arms. It looks like this upper ball joint is not replaceable by itself. Can anyone confirm?

On a related note -- lift question. Would the JBA standard A-arms be appropriate with a CRD Frankenlift II lift, or would that require the lifted JBA A-arms? I keep thinking about that lift, so if possible I'd like to get arms that are compatible with and without it so I can replace the arms and ball joints now and get the lift when I have more time.

Thanks in advance guys.

tommudd · **Posted:** Thu Oct 02, 2014 7:03 pm

ChesterCRD wrote:

It squeaks when I turn the wheel and when the front suspension moves, even small movements. I couldn't handle the suspense so I left work and took a look. After some more testing I think the highway steering issue might be just the tires. They are pretty worn down and the steering is perfectly tight at low speed (where I can move the wheel and see the tire...no slop there).

Upon further inspection the problem appears to be the driver side upper ball joint. Even small movements of the steering wheel will make it squeak, but only when there's weight on it. If I jack it up the squeak goes away.

So....If I understand things correctly I need new A-arms. It looks like this upper ball joint is not replaceable by itself. Can anyone confirm?

On a related note -- lift question. Would the JBA standard A-arms be appropriate with a CRD Frankenlift II lift, or would that require the lifted JBA A-arms? I keep thinking about that lift, so if possible I'd like to get arms that are compatible with and without it so I can replace the arms and ball joints now and get the lift when I have more time.

Thanks in advance guys.

Use the JBA 4.5s

ChesterCRD · **Posted:** Thu Oct 02, 2014 7:17 pm

Thanks Tom. I think both of the sets listed on the bottom of this page are 4.5s. http://jeepinbyal.com/liberty-2002-2007 ... -arms.html Is that consistent with what you know?

I have an email into JBA about it too. It's not clear to me what the differences are so I'm not sure whether the lift version can be used stock or the stock version will work with a modest lift like the Frankenlift II CRD. I'm definitely leaning toward the JBA UCAs though.

ChesterCRD · **Posted:** Fri Oct 03, 2014 10:13 am

I talked to the folks at JBA this morning. Their recommendation is to go with their UCAs for lifted Jeeps if I'll be installing a lift soon. The issue is the lifted UCAs are 3/8" longer and have a different angle so alignment will be tricky with the stock suspension. I'm toying with the idea of getting some cheap UCAs to hold me over for a few months. I'm finishing a master's and have some bills to pay so time and money are too tight to buy the whole lift.

Anyway, saga continues but I think I'm on the right path now.

wheeee32 · **Posted:** Tue Oct 07, 2014 6:23 pm

When you can just go ahead and get the JBA lifted upper a-arms. They definitely make the alignment easier once lifted. They aren't that hard to install either with the right tools.

ChesterCRD · **Posted:** Tue Oct 07, 2014 8:40 pm

The JBA UCAs arrived today.

. I got the lifted version.

All the lift info is starting to push me over the edge. I'm thinking about the CRD OME lift.

ChesterCRD · **Posted:** Wed Oct 08, 2014 10:05 am

I'm looking for advice on clearance for the JBA UCAs. The installation instructions recommend removing some material around the connections to allow them greater vertical travel. Does anyone know whether this is necessary with a stock setup or 1-2 inch lift?

ChesterCRD · **Posted:** Fri Oct 10, 2014 9:27 am

This saga continues. I have a strut leaking some oil (first time I've seen this). Since I have to replace my front struts I decided to do the OME lift. The parts are on the way.

ChesterCRD · **Posted:** Mon Oct 13, 2014 8:17 pm

OME Lift was installed today. It raised the vehicle 2.5 inches in front and about 2 inches in back, which left it slightly raked. I also did a half inch spacer in the back. It rides great. I'm going to try some 1.25" inch spacers to bring the wheels out a little and probably go to 245/75/R16s in a few months.

Thanks for the input guys (I read a lot on here deciding to what to get).

wheeee32 · **Posted:** Wed Nov 12, 2014 2:34 pm

So how's she look now? Pics? Enjoying the better quality ride now?

ChesterCRD · **Posted:** Wed Nov 12, 2014 10:02 pm

wheeee32 wrote:

So how's she look now? Pics? Enjoying the better quality ride now?

I'll get some pics tomorrow. The lift came out really nice. The ride is better than stock and exactly what I wanted. It's not too stiff or too soft. Very responsive and great feel. I added 1.25" spidertrax spacers to bring the wheels out a bit. This improved the look slightly (IMO) but had no noticeable impact on anything else.

Also did the LBJ with the MOOG problem solvers right after the lift and UCAs. JBA has a nice package with the OME kit and the UCAs and I added 1/2 inch spacers to the back and the brakeline relocation bracket from All J. The brakeline bracket would be easy to make yourself, but once you're in this far what's another $30. It's a nice bracket.

wheeee32 · **Posted:** Thu Nov 13, 2014 1:22 pm

Cool I'm glad it turned out well for you.

ChesterCRD · **Posted:** Sun Nov 16, 2014 9:52 pm

Here is what it looks like now.

http://imgur.com/Eqw7piv,QDx6RPy#0

http://imgur.com/Eqw7piv,QDx6RPy#1

wheeee32 · **Posted:** Tue Nov 18, 2014 8:48 am

Jeep looks good. Did you grind out the pockets for the A-arms? I just used a pneumatic grinder to open up the bottom of the pockets and then painted over the parts I grinded. Good to go.

ChesterCRD · **Posted:** Tue Nov 18, 2014 1:39 pm

No, I didn't open them up any. It appeared the UCA would hit the bump stop or the spring before it hit the edge of the pocket, so I decided to leave it. My offroad adventures are pretty mild also...usually just getting to a campsite or fooling around in the snow.

Squeaky Turning, Suspension

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