Just had 4 new shocks put on my Cherokee. I picked it up today and drove about 20 miles on the interstate when I noticed a loud noise whenever I let off the gas coming from the rear passenger side. When I slow to nearly a stop it sounds like a slow knocking coming from the tire area. I inspected it and birthing seems loose. Where do I begin? I can't just take it back to the shop because they are closed until Monday. I'm leaving Sunday to move to CA and am driving my jeep! Help!

 

Birthing seems loose huh?

Start tightening it up. Or find a new shop. One that doesnt close for odd hours.

Its friday, and 3 pm here in WI. What legit shop closes that early?

 

4 oclock on the east coast. kinda weird that a shop closes that early

 

Small shop with one mechanic, and he took a half day. Nothing seems loose.

 

How mechanically inclined are you?

 

is that what you were trying to say? if so all i can say is damn you auto-correct!!

 

1 to 10 about a 6. Would have done the shocks but I'm at my in laws on my way out west.

 

If thats the case you may need to find another shop.

I'm thinking maybe one shock is bad if that was the only thing changed. Try swapping them around, see if the noise follows the shock.

 

Check the lug nuts. Even the best of us have been known to forget to torque them after putting the Jeep down.

Parked, can you rock the Jeep, jump up and down and get it to do anything?

 

I checked the lug nuts, seem tight, it doesn't move much when I jump on it.

 

Really I'm having a hard time picturing how a shock makes a slow knocking. (doesn't mean it can't!). "they seem tight?" You did put a wrench on there...

I guess if it were mine I'd jack up that wheel and spin it, take hold of the wheel and see how it feels. Look for something loose. Got me.

Is it rhythmic, like with the speed as the wheel goes around?

When you took it in for shocks, was it doing anything? (other than "bouncing")

 

As long as you are there...I might park it (in neutral), and go ahead and see if there is any play in the U-Joints. Sounds can get pretty funny....

 

Just had to solve this same problem on my XJ. Ended up being the exhaust pipe. Tightened up the rear-most hanger and the clunking at idle and on deceleration went away.

 

Hey great! Guess it's pretty clear Redwine is still driving around with his knocking. (maybe that will help!)

 

it's possible that a brake spring came apart in the drum.
but since it's a shock issue, maybe a broken bar pin?