Bumpy and ratteling when driving on country dirt roads.
#1
Seasoned Member
Thread Starter
Bumpy and ratteling when driving on country dirt roads.
I recently replaced my shocks which made larger bumps and potholes less harsh. However when driving on dirt roads with lots of smallish rocks on them, It is really rattling, bumpy, and noisy. If I get new leaf and coil springs, will it be better? The leaf springs are not falling apart, but they are completely flat. Is that normal? Is the ratteling and noise just normal for older cars?
#2
CF Veteran
I recently replaced my shocks which made larger bumps and potholes less harsh. However when driving on dirt roads with lots of smallish rocks on them, It is really rattling, bumpy, and noisy. If I get new leaf and coil springs, will it be better? The leaf springs are not falling apart, but they are completely flat. Is that normal? Is the ratteling and noise just normal for older cars?
Well goat, that depends on what's rattling hahaAnd we can't diagnose from a distance.
Look, Jeeps aren't silent cars. And cars this old have seen a few seasons.
Have a look underneath and get your hands on things and see if there is anything loose. Take some time to investigate.
Before you fork out any new parts ; simple things like exhaust hangers, cath converters etc cause more rattling sounds than faulty suspension parts.
#3
Seasoned Member
Thread Starter
Well goat, that depends on what's rattling hahaAnd we can't diagnose from a distance.
Look, Jeeps aren't silent cars. And cars this old have seen a few seasons.
Have a look underneath and get your hands on things and see if there is anything loose. Take some time to investigate.
Before you fork out any new parts ; simple things like exhaust hangers, cath converters etc cause more rattling sounds than faulty suspension parts.
Look, Jeeps aren't silent cars. And cars this old have seen a few seasons.
Have a look underneath and get your hands on things and see if there is anything loose. Take some time to investigate.
Before you fork out any new parts ; simple things like exhaust hangers, cath converters etc cause more rattling sounds than faulty suspension parts.
#4
Seasoned Member
Thread Starter
Does the coil and leaf spring look ok? I inspected them and couldn't find any breaks, or cracks
#5
Senior Member
No your leaf springs have sagged to the point that they have a negative arch. If you just put on new leaf springs it'll have a forward rake. I put some dorman leaves on mine and it looked like I did a backwards squat.
What brand shocks did you use?
What brand shocks did you use?
#6
Seasoned Member
Thread Starter
I used Monroe OE Spectrum shocks. Would new leaf springs make the ride not bumpy when driving on dirt/rock roads? Is it worth it to replace the leaf springs?
#7
Senior Member
Oh man. So I wrote this whole thing about Monroe shocks but somehow it didn't post. Long story short, I regret to inform you that you made a bad decision with that brand. I even used to have to talk my customers out of Monroe shocks because I knew I'd be changing them again in another month (if that).
Years later I thought "You know what, there's no way they're still as bad as they used to be". So I put a set on my XJ and immediately regretted it. I then bought a 3" Rough Country lift with shocks and haven't looked back.
Now that you're faced with changing springs, you're at the point where many people decide whether they want to buy stock springs and shocks or spend the same amount for a small lift. It's absolutely worth it to change the springs. But not just the rear leaf springs, but also the front coils too. Unfortunately, putting new springs in won't change how bad the Monroe shocks are.
Years later I thought "You know what, there's no way they're still as bad as they used to be". So I put a set on my XJ and immediately regretted it. I then bought a 3" Rough Country lift with shocks and haven't looked back.
Now that you're faced with changing springs, you're at the point where many people decide whether they want to buy stock springs and shocks or spend the same amount for a small lift. It's absolutely worth it to change the springs. But not just the rear leaf springs, but also the front coils too. Unfortunately, putting new springs in won't change how bad the Monroe shocks are.
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#8
Seasoned Member
Thread Starter
Oh man. So I wrote this whole thing about Monroe shocks but somehow it didn't post. Long story short, I regret to inform you that you made a bad decision with that brand. I even used to have to talk my customers out of Monroe shocks because I knew I'd be changing them again in another month (if that).
Years later I thought "You know what, there's no way they're still as bad as they used to be". So I put a set on my XJ and immediately regretted it. I then bought a 3" Rough Country lift with shocks and haven't looked back.
Now that you're faced with changing springs, you're at the point where many people decide whether they want to buy stock springs and shocks or spend the same amount for a small lift. It's absolutely worth it to change the springs. But not just the rear leaf springs, but also the front coils too. Unfortunately, putting new springs in won't change how bad the Monroe shocks are.
Years later I thought "You know what, there's no way they're still as bad as they used to be". So I put a set on my XJ and immediately regretted it. I then bought a 3" Rough Country lift with shocks and haven't looked back.
Now that you're faced with changing springs, you're at the point where many people decide whether they want to buy stock springs and shocks or spend the same amount for a small lift. It's absolutely worth it to change the springs. But not just the rear leaf springs, but also the front coils too. Unfortunately, putting new springs in won't change how bad the Monroe shocks are.
#11
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#12
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#13
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Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: corpus christi, texas
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Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0 I6
its not your hatch rattling? my wife's rattles like crazy on bumpy roads and its the dang hatch. i have tried everything to stop it but its just held on with two hinges on top and a latch bottom center so theres not much you can do
#14
Seasoned Member
Thread Starter
The hatch is definetly ratteling, but it also seems like the whole car is also ratteling on bumpy roads.