Patman

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!

craiso

Many people find that the exhaust system has developed some play, and makes noise going over bumps.

XjJunky

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.

Patman

I thought the same thing...

I have replaced all motor mounts, trans mount and exhaust hangers just a few weeks ago. .

still a problem...

XjJunky

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

Patman

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!

tech

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 .

Patman

Have replaced the shocks and the upper and lower control arms. Steering box spacer... not sure what that is...

fb97xj1

If you keep a jack or lug wrench under the back seat, check them. If they are not secured, theyll bounce around.

PatHenry

^^^^^^^^^ This!!! I had a clunk over super hard bumps and freaked myself out a bit until I realized that the freaking jack stuff was bouncing off the floor boards. I put some old blankets in the space and made sure everything that could be secured in place was and haven't had a problem since.

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.

Patman

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.

JeepCares

Hello Patman,
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