XJBandit
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- New Westminster, Canada
Ok, I have a major problem that I can't seem to solve. I have a front end clunk while turning at slow speed that has proven impossible to find, so I am hoping that somebody on here can help!!
Symptom: at low speed, while turning more than a half turn there is a clunk that is coming from what sounds like the unit bearing. It is more pronounced on the left side, and is increasingly worse under articulation, but only marginally. It sounds like someone is hitting the inside of the rim with a mallet, and can be felt in the steering. It feels almost like a binding, or like something is moving in and out of its natural seating, and makes a cracking/clunk sound.
What I have done: First I looked at and replaced all the u-joints and the balljoints. Then I looked at the trac bar, and tightened the hell out of that everywhere (currently running Kevin's conversion). After that I replaced the sway bar bushings, put all new JKS control arms in as it needed to be done anyway, with new bushings all around including the ones that are pressed into the axle. Then I checked the shock mounts, steering linkage, steering box, all checked out fine. Then I moved to the axles and had IWE inspect the rear and the front (ARB in back, Trutrac upfront) and all is good there, they think it is in the suspension.
The jeep only makes the noise when on the ground as well, as I have had it on the hoist in 4 wheel drive and tried to make the noise and it won't, even under breaking. It also only makes the noise if there is some sort of rotation/movement. If you are stationary, and move the wheels back and forth, it will not make the noise until you move forward or backwards. So the clunk is definitly load/weight related. My last guess is the unit bearings, as the sound is definitly coming from the outer axle area, almost like the lug pins are cracking within their seats, but that's not really possible.
I am running a very simple set up, ACOS up front with ZJ 5.9L springs and AAL w/shackle in the back. Only a 3" lift for now. Obviously I have spent a lot of time and money in very reputable shops looking for this problem, and have not found it yet.
Please provide any feedback you may have!!! Or if you know a really good front end place that is quite familiar with lifted vehicles, please recommend some!!! I am at a total loss. Thanx for your help.
Symptom: at low speed, while turning more than a half turn there is a clunk that is coming from what sounds like the unit bearing. It is more pronounced on the left side, and is increasingly worse under articulation, but only marginally. It sounds like someone is hitting the inside of the rim with a mallet, and can be felt in the steering. It feels almost like a binding, or like something is moving in and out of its natural seating, and makes a cracking/clunk sound.
What I have done: First I looked at and replaced all the u-joints and the balljoints. Then I looked at the trac bar, and tightened the hell out of that everywhere (currently running Kevin's conversion). After that I replaced the sway bar bushings, put all new JKS control arms in as it needed to be done anyway, with new bushings all around including the ones that are pressed into the axle. Then I checked the shock mounts, steering linkage, steering box, all checked out fine. Then I moved to the axles and had IWE inspect the rear and the front (ARB in back, Trutrac upfront) and all is good there, they think it is in the suspension.
The jeep only makes the noise when on the ground as well, as I have had it on the hoist in 4 wheel drive and tried to make the noise and it won't, even under breaking. It also only makes the noise if there is some sort of rotation/movement. If you are stationary, and move the wheels back and forth, it will not make the noise until you move forward or backwards. So the clunk is definitly load/weight related. My last guess is the unit bearings, as the sound is definitly coming from the outer axle area, almost like the lug pins are cracking within their seats, but that's not really possible.
I am running a very simple set up, ACOS up front with ZJ 5.9L springs and AAL w/shackle in the back. Only a 3" lift for now. Obviously I have spent a lot of time and money in very reputable shops looking for this problem, and have not found it yet.
Please provide any feedback you may have!!! Or if you know a really good front end place that is quite familiar with lifted vehicles, please recommend some!!! I am at a total loss. Thanx for your help.
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