Clunking when going over rough terrain
#1
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 122
Likes: 16
From: In the desert
Year: 1995
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0 now 4.6
Clunking when going over rough terrain
Howdy folks,
Got a problem that I could use some help with. Ive had this clunking sound that comes up with Im going over rough terrain that I cant seem to locate. Seems like its coming from the leaf spring mounts. Its loud. Ive replaced the bolts, shackles, springs, bump stops, axle bearings and seals and the stabilizer bar bushings and links and its still happening...
The only things that I can think is that is might be the spring and bushing moving around inside the pocket where it mounts to the unibody/frame. There seems to be about a 1/16 of an inch between the spring and the inside of the spring pockets (for lack of a better term). Anyone else have a similar issue?
Thanks!
Got a problem that I could use some help with. Ive had this clunking sound that comes up with Im going over rough terrain that I cant seem to locate. Seems like its coming from the leaf spring mounts. Its loud. Ive replaced the bolts, shackles, springs, bump stops, axle bearings and seals and the stabilizer bar bushings and links and its still happening...
The only things that I can think is that is might be the spring and bushing moving around inside the pocket where it mounts to the unibody/frame. There seems to be about a 1/16 of an inch between the spring and the inside of the spring pockets (for lack of a better term). Anyone else have a similar issue?
Thanks!
#3
Member
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 196
Likes: 45
From: Grand Junction, Colorado
Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee(XJ)
Engine: 4.0l
X2 on this one. Sounds like its time for a new trans mount and it is highly recommended to do motor mounts at the same time. Get under your jeep grab exhaust and look at the hanger on the cross member as you shake the hell out of it.
#4
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 122
Likes: 16
From: In the desert
Year: 1995
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0 now 4.6
I thought the same thing...
I have replaced all motor mounts, trans mount and exhaust hangers just a few weeks ago. .
still a problem...
I have replaced all motor mounts, trans mount and exhaust hangers just a few weeks ago. .
still a problem...
#5
Member
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 196
Likes: 45
From: Grand Junction, Colorado
Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee(XJ)
Engine: 4.0l
Well that sucks. Are you sure its coming from the rear then? Might be up front. Might have to hook up a gopro or something and see if you can pinpoint it that way
#6
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 122
Likes: 16
From: In the desert
Year: 1995
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0 now 4.6
I have replaced the entire front end steering components, springs, brakes, track bar, sway bar bushings and links, front hubs, new calipers, rotors and pads.
this was happening before I did all the work, and it’s still happening. Driving me nuts!
this was happening before I did all the work, and it’s still happening. Driving me nuts!
#7
CF Veteran
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 2,138
Likes: 278
From: Santa Clarita California
Year: 2001
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0L
How are your shocks and the shock bushings and look at the bushings in your controll arms , also look at the steering box and the spacer .
Trending Topics
#10
CF Veteran
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 3,700
Likes: 236
From: Groton, MA
Year: 1995
Model: Cherokee(XJ)
Engine: I6 4.0L
Other than that, you just have to jack up the Jeep at various points and get a really good look at everything.
Make sure the bolts are all torqued to the correct amount. I replaced my control arms and guesstimated it at first, drove around a bit and it was crazy how much clunking I got - so I pulled it back in the garage and torqued everything to spec and was amazed at the difference.
#11
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 122
Likes: 16
From: In the desert
Year: 1995
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0 now 4.6
Up until today I thought that it was the rear leaf spring moving inside of the spring perch and making a clunking sound when it hit either side of it.
However, it did it today when there was no lateral pressure only a downward force, ie: driving over a dip in the road whilst going straight.
Now I believe that I have a cracked unibody/frame gonna take a gander in the morning and see what I can find. Sounds like a break that is popping when the unibody flexes. Now that I have heavy duty springs Id imagine that it’d put more pressure on the frame causing it to happen more frequently after all the work has been done. Its been on the road less than a week now. Still chasing down all the squeaks and rattles.
So far so good though.
In the last few months, I changed:
Upper and lower control arms
Ball joints
Hubs
Axle U Joints
Calipers, hoses, pads and rotors
Track bar
Front swaybar links and bushings
Tierod and ends
Drag link
Front coil springs
Rear leaf springs and shackles
Axle bearings and seals
All new brake drum components, springs, retainers, shoes, drums, cylinders
Rear swaybar links and bushings
Fuel filter
Fuel pump
Plugs, coil, cap & rotor and wires
Battery
Tires
Water pump
Thermostat
Power steering pump and lines
AND a few other odds and ends.
So yea, still chasing a few tings but so far so good... Unless its a cracked frame, then what?
Like everything else, I’ll figure it out as I go... I’ll let ya know how it turns out.
However, it did it today when there was no lateral pressure only a downward force, ie: driving over a dip in the road whilst going straight.
Now I believe that I have a cracked unibody/frame gonna take a gander in the morning and see what I can find. Sounds like a break that is popping when the unibody flexes. Now that I have heavy duty springs Id imagine that it’d put more pressure on the frame causing it to happen more frequently after all the work has been done. Its been on the road less than a week now. Still chasing down all the squeaks and rattles.
So far so good though.
In the last few months, I changed:
Upper and lower control arms
Ball joints
Hubs
Axle U Joints
Calipers, hoses, pads and rotors
Track bar
Front swaybar links and bushings
Tierod and ends
Drag link
Front coil springs
Rear leaf springs and shackles
Axle bearings and seals
All new brake drum components, springs, retainers, shoes, drums, cylinders
Rear swaybar links and bushings
Fuel filter
Fuel pump
Plugs, coil, cap & rotor and wires
Battery
Tires
Water pump
Thermostat
Power steering pump and lines
AND a few other odds and ends.
So yea, still chasing a few tings but so far so good... Unless its a cracked frame, then what?
Like everything else, I’ll figure it out as I go... I’ll let ya know how it turns out.
#12
Howdy folks,
Got a problem that I could use some help with. Ive had this clunking sound that comes up with Im going over rough terrain that I cant seem to locate. Seems like its coming from the leaf spring mounts. Its loud. Ive replaced the bolts, shackles, springs, bump stops, axle bearings and seals and the stabilizer bar bushings and links and its still happening...
The only things that I can think is that is might be the spring and bushing moving around inside the pocket where it mounts to the unibody/frame. There seems to be about a 1/16 of an inch between the spring and the inside of the spring pockets (for lack of a better term). Anyone else have a similar issue?
Thanks!
Got a problem that I could use some help with. Ive had this clunking sound that comes up with Im going over rough terrain that I cant seem to locate. Seems like its coming from the leaf spring mounts. Its loud. Ive replaced the bolts, shackles, springs, bump stops, axle bearings and seals and the stabilizer bar bushings and links and its still happening...
The only things that I can think is that is might be the spring and bushing moving around inside the pocket where it mounts to the unibody/frame. There seems to be about a 1/16 of an inch between the spring and the inside of the spring pockets (for lack of a better term). Anyone else have a similar issue?
Thanks!
Sorry to hear that you are experiencing this concern. If you are unable to remedy this concern with the assistance of fellow forum members, I kindly suggest connecting with your local Jeep dealer. If you are in need of any assistance with that process, please feel free to send us a private message.
Laura
JeepCares
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
rwhealey
Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here
6
08-09-2016 11:06 PM
MudMann94
Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here
3
06-11-2012 09:55 AM
RyanCherokee77
Fabrication & builders section.
14
12-22-2010 02:09 PM
deltatechx
Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here
9
12-07-2009 01:29 PM
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)