Springy "boing" sound under XJ...

[SurfXJSnow]

the best way I can describe it is a boing/springy noise. not so much a "clunk" but more like the way it would sound if you hit a spring with a hammer? This is on a 01' XJ with a 2" spacer/shackle lift. Its running a stock track bar and control arms. It only happens when going over a bump on the front end. For instance, if you went over a speed bump, you would hear it. The sound comes primarily from the front end, but also seems like it radiates underneath of the driver and passengers seats. Any idea of what this could be? I originally thought it could be the sway bar links hitting the coils up front, but the space between the two looks to be sufficent and I do not see any bare shiny metal where it would be rubbing. It doesnt effect the driving in any way, and the XJ steers straight. Alignment recently done, but the problem has been there ever since we installed the lift about a year ago...

I would like to figure out this problem before we head back to colorado, just to make sure its nothing vital that needs to be fixed.

Thanks in advance!

 

[XJNOOB93]

This isn't going to help but I had the same exact thing coming from the front of my jeep. I pulled over to check it out and it stopped doing it... :dunno:

 

[mcantar18c]

I had that happen on the red XJ... the coil was a little bit off the lower perch cause the retainers couldn't hold em, and it still worked fine cause it can't really move more than an inch or so in any direction on the mount, but it was far over enough that when it flexed it was rubbing a little bit on the knuckle. Make sure your springs are not only seated in the mounts but secured in place.

 

[SurfXJSnow]

I had that happen on the red XJ... the coil was a little bit off the lower perch cause the retainers couldn't hold em, and it still worked fine cause it can't really move more than an inch or so in any direction on the mount, but it was far over enough that when it flexed it was rubbing a little bit on the knuckle. Make sure your springs are not only seated in the mounts but secured in place.

ahh! that could be it! i remember having a problem getting the spring to seat correctly when i installed the front spacers. ill check that first tomorrow.

 

[Frank Z]

Retainers in place and snug?

 

[SurfXJSnow]

checking that first thing. thanks guys! ill post up in the morning with an update.

Looks like we will be hitting the road this tuesday!

 

[YELLAHEEP]

This isn't going to help but I had the same exact thing coming from the front of my jeep. I pulled over to check it out and it stopped doing it... :dunno:

LOL! Maybe because you pulled over and the Jeep wasn't moving???? :roflmao:


Sorry, just reads funny..... could end up as a quote in someone's signature.... :shhh:

 

[mcantar18c]

ahh! that could be it! i remember having a problem getting the spring to seat correctly when i installed the front spacers. ill check that first tomorrow.

Yeah for me it was that the coils I had were so much thicker than the stock springs that the little tab that's supposed to retain them couldn't seat properly. On the stock springs part of it is flat on the perch and the little bend goes over the coil, but with mine it went over the coil and then couldn't reach the perch so it was just being pulled down by the little bolt, and would work itself loose. Rubbed the knuckle whenever it flexed or I turned the wheel.

 

[YELLAHEEP]

Another possibility, although not super likely since it only has a 2" lift, but it can be possible for the axle to be off-center just enough that the coil will rub against the track bar mount up on the unibody (driver's side).

Other than that, I agree, it's probably a coil seating issue or potentially a rock or gravel between the seat and coil that allows the coil to move around and bind or shift when unloaded over a bump.

 

[mcantar18c]

Another possibility, although not super likely since it only has a 2" lift, but it can be possible for the axle to be off-center just enough that the coil will rub against the track bar mount up on the unibody (driver's side).

Is your axle centered? Does it track straight?
If not Troy could be right, you may just need to adjust your trackbar.

 

[XJNOOB93]

LOL! Maybe because you pulled over and the Jeep wasn't moving???? :roflmao:


Sorry, just reads funny..... could end up as a quote in someone's signature.... :shhh:

HAHAHA NOO!! After I stopped... checked it out... then started moving again it never made the sound!hasta

 

[SurfXJSnow]

it was the spring on the drivers side. it was not seated correctly! i beat it back over and tighetened the retainer and the noise is GONE!

also installed the trailer hitch, and somehow figured out the wiring harness for the tow lights! very, very productive day.

 

[Kiefer316]

Now i know what to look for on my brothers rig!... His makes a clicking though. Very strange. It only occurs when doing over potholes and deep cracks...

 

[JEONLYEP]

I know this has been answered, but for those in the future that have the same sound, but not the same problem. And have "hockey puck" bump stops. Check to make sure the bump stop isn't moving. Mine would try to get out of the inside of the spring, then get shot back into the spring as the the spring got compressed again.....

Then again, this wouldn't happen on road due to the fact that the springs wouldn't open enough with normal on road activity. It was only off road that I'd get that much droop.

I know I'm saying a lot in this post, but since I only post once a month. I decided that I need to get as many words in one post as possible....

Further more one time (at band camp) I had my spring hit my track bar mount. But since that has already been mentioned, I really didn't need to bring that up. I like the sound my fingers make on the keyboard, kinda like a clickity clickity clack.....

Okay, now I may just be running off at the fingers...... Apologies to all.....

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