Clicking noise when turning.

[Mercury191]

My 4th time at the dealer for the god dam noise,. No fix yet.
They tighten the rubicon express shock mount and said it was gone,, went to pickit up on the weekend and still the same snapping loud front end noise,, i am really frustrated
And thinking to go back to a toyota

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[cwallace78]

I am a tech at a dealer. I thought i'd share my repair. I torqued the lower ball joints to fix the concern. I heard the click while tightening the nuts on both sides. I believe the root issue is that they are using an aluminum knuckle instead of cast iron. I "think" the softer metal against the steel ball joint is causing the opening to get larger after some use, causing the nut to be loose. I noticed the upper ball joint has a steel sleeve between it and the knuckle. I predict the noise may return over time. Hope it doesn't. Anyway that's my thought on it. Thanks for reading.

 

[dannko]

Hey Command Line RC,

Keep us updated on your dealer visit. As you may have seen throughout the thread, our team is available via private message and would be glad to help in any way we can.

Jasmine
Jeep Social Care Specialist

Can't you guys just put out service bulletins to fix this stuff vs having your customers doing all the troubleshooting and repairs themselves? I just picked up a new Rubicon I ordered today and it wanders with the steering, so why is Jeep not fixing an August built Jeep with issues known all year?

 

[dannko]

You should file a complaint with the NHTSA. This problem seems widespread and a possible safety issue. Maybe it will force a recall.

https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/VehicleComplaint/

This is what I like hearing. Bad engineering needs to be corrected by the manufacturer immediately and without BS excuses as a 55K Jeep that is half of my previous 77K Ford Super Duty in all aspects should drive and handle well without widespread common issues. I hate lawyers, but for this you need them.

 

[dannko]

My JL has less than 3000 miles. Been at dealer going on 5 weeks now. Replaced hubs, front axle and all kinds of other items. They can’t get clicking to stop. They want to bring in an engineer and sign off that vehicle is safe with the clicking sound since they can’t find the source. I’ll mention the ball joint and see their response and update if it fixes. Hard to believe Jeep hasn’t put something out on this as a bulletin.

"lemon law"

 

[1quick1]

My ball joints were "torqued" around 4k miles ago (problem solved) and I'm starting to get a slight tick again. Quieter but same behavior.

 

[Mercury191]

Well a local mechanic shop juste tighten my ball joints and he said my link kit we also loose. For free!!
And guess what, after months of snapping and clinking front end noise,, it is now gone.. i am a happy guy right now

 

[FrankieFJL]

Mine started making the clicking noise (kind of like a bad CV joint) after taking it off road. Will have to get under her and check the ball joint torque. Kind of pissed that I would have to check up on work that should have been done right the first time on a new vehicle. Thankful for the forum to bring these issues to light.

 

[rizej]

I am a tech at a dealer. I thought i'd share my repair. I torqued the lower ball joints to fix the concern. I heard the click while tightening the nuts on both sides. I believe the root issue is that they are using an aluminum knuckle instead of cast iron. I "think" the softer metal against the steel ball joint is causing the opening to get larger after some use, causing the nut to be loose. I noticed the upper ball joint has a steel sleeve between it and the knuckle. I predict the noise may return over time. Hope it doesn't. Anyway that's my thought on it. Thanks for reading.

Essentially you are saying the noise might return once the ball joints are "torqued" because of the softer metal. Will the softer metal cause more fatigue or possible earlier failure? Or are you saying that tightening the ball joints will need to be done at a scheduled interval (like an oil change) to eliminate the clicking. Is there any chance of a permanent fix?

 

[Teghogh]

On the bright side, fortunately for me there is this wonderful forums where I am able to diagnose every problem they come across on their Jeeps! Unfortunately for me, I seem to have every one of them. I this case, I also had the clicking noise in my front end. I just noticed it about a week ago and it seemed to get progressively worse, as if something was loosening up. For reference, my jeep isa 2018 JLU Sport. At 1000 miles I upgraded my stock sport tires and rims to 33x12.5x17 tires and a 17x9 rim. The Jeep currently has 2400 miles on it.

So instead of taking the Jeep to the dealer, which I’ve had recent bad experience with in dealing for other issues, I decided to tackle this problem myself.

I did not have a torque wrench, I instead used a box end wrench as well as a 1/2 drive socket wrench and socket. When I took the cotterpin out, they were pretty much ruined, so if you do this yourself you’re gonna need some replacement cotter pins to resecure the crown nut. The nut is 22mm and once the cotter pin is removed, I tightened the nuts down significantly. Probably past the factory specs. The bottom nuts were looser than the top ones, but they all got tightened and the cotterpins replaced.

This would be easier to do with the wheel side removed, because the cotterpin access can be a pain depending on which way the ball joint is rotated.

I attached two videos; one showing the noise that I was hearing, and the second showing the ball joints and explanation. Hopefully you all found this helpful!

Outstanding

 

[Deleted member 25063]

So I recently noticed that my 2018 4Door JLU makes all kinds of noises... Surprise.
I am new to Jeep and know since I joint this Forum that there is always something that wants to be fixed.

But here is the problem I have... When I turn left, I get a short "Clunk" from the middle or back and it sounds like it is coming from the bottom part of the car. It is not super loud but you will hear it every time and sometimes even feel that something just hit something else. Does anyone experience the same or a similar issue? It only appears when I turn left (so far).

I don't have the Clicking issue on the ball joints (YET) that many of you are experiencing, so I hope my JLU Sahara will skip that problem.

I do have an appointment scheduled at my dealer with high hope that they can fix it.
If they find something, I will keep you updated.

 

[Jason]

Well a few months after having the ball joints tightened the clicking is starting to come back. Guess I need to tighten them again, dont feel like fighting with the dealer again. Hey @JeepCares any update on a recall on this? Not looking forward to having to adjust my ball joints every three months.

 

[Messup]

I took my Jeep to the local dealer where they kept it for 2 weeks going back and forth with fca engineers regarding this issue. They replaced the passenger axle shaft but of course it didn't help. I told them multiple times and to separate individuals ( service advisor, service manager, and the mechanic) to check the ball joints. They ended up telling me that I had to remove my lift before they would look at it further. I get it home and put it up on jack stands, 45 minutes later no more noise. So my advise is to just do this one yourself, dealers seem to only follow whatever protocol is set from fca and nothing else.

 

[gkrishnaswamy]

I had been having this same issue and just wanted to provide an update for anyone who is having a similar issue. It sounds like it may be becoming more prevalent.

I had the same issue: a metal-like clicking sound at low speeds, typically 1-3 clicks at a time. I really couldn't figure out any pattern to it. It sounded like it was coming from the left front. It was really only noticeable with the windows down or the doors off. I didn't notice any issues with steering, transmission, etc., it was just annoying.

I took it in this week and they found that a left front ball joint bolt was not properly torqued. I can confirm that fixed the issue. I hope this saves y'all some time if you take it to your dealer.

I am having the same problem. A couple of months ago, took it to the dealer. They couldn't figure anything on this, but asked to come back for another look. I mentioned to them about the "torquing the ball joint bolt".
I noticed that they had attached a Service Bulletin Number : 02-006-18 Rev. A to the Service Order. This TSB refers to the same issue, but for a vehicle with 2 Inch Mopar Lift Kit Installed, which I don't have. Does anyone know if this TSB also corresponds to NO Lift Kit vehicles too.

I am taking it again next week, and going to ask them "ball joint bolt needs to be tourqued". Will update after my visit.

 

[WranglerMan]

I am having the same problem. A couple of months ago, took it to the dealer. They couldn't figure anything on this, but asked to come back for another look. I mentioned to them about the "torquing the ball joint bolt".
I noticed that they had attached a Service Bulletin Number : 02-006-18 Rev. A to the Service Order. This TSB refers to the same issue, but for a vehicle with 2 Inch Mopar Lift Kit Installed, which I don't have. Does anyone know if this TSB also corresponds to NO Lift Kit vehicles too.

I am taking it again next week, and going to ask them "ball joint bolt needs to be tourqued". Will update after my visit.

Ball joints being not torqued to spec is a well known issue, I took mine in months ago and showed they a video a memeber posted along with a link to this site and they did address it as it was documented on my work order and no more clicking and has been fine ever since.

When I had my RC boost done I ask Chris of Tankcustoms while he was doing my lift and tires to check the lower ones and he found them tight so I would go to the service manager if needed or get with Jeepcares here to have them start a case for you

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