Clunk when turning over bump

[Twisted Patriot]

Question.. I recently started hearing a clunk when turning over bumps or up into my driveway.. sometimes when turning right.. sometimes when turning left.. I got under the jeep and everything seems ok.. but, I noticed I can turn the drag link and the tie rod rotationally and make them clunk by hand. I know a little rotational movement is normal but they shouldnt clunk should they? I dont think there is any lateral play, at least by hand. But rotationally i can make them clunk when rotating them. Im thinking this is the cause of the clunk when turning over bumps but wanted to get some experienced opinions before I toss money at it. Thanks guys

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[occasional_offroader]

I would start with checking wheel ball joints especially if you have bigger tires. Then check ball joints on tie rod, this was the cause on my jeep. I ended just upgrading all the front steering components - wheel ball joints, tie rod, drag link and track bar

 

[gek]

I chased a clunk for over a year. Ended up being my trackbar on the frame side. I torqued and retorqued everything to spec multiple times. It was apparently not tight enough to hold it in all conditions. I ended up putting a gopro underneath and seeing what moved. I tightened it down some more and it got rid of my clunk.

 

[Twisted Patriot]

Well.. I have an aftermarket track bar.. so I think im just gonna install heavy duty ball joints, drag link and tie rod all at once.. get it over with..

 

[occasional_offroader]

Well.. I have an aftermarket track bar.. so I think im just gonna install heavy duty ball joints, drag link and tie rod all at once.. get it over with..

Yup best thing to do since you have to take the front end apart might as well do it all

 

[gek]

Well.. I have an aftermarket track bar.. so I think im just gonna install heavy duty ball joints, drag link and tie rod all at once.. get it over with..

I had an aftermarket track bar, steering and ball joints.

 

[failsafe306]

My mysterious clunk turned out to be my LOD frame sliders hitting the body bolt. Drove me crazy!

 

[Snowd]

I had the same clunk, when turning going over bumps. Turned out to be the nut on the adjustable lca was loose. I had to tighten it every couple of weeks. Finally put a little blue loctite on it and it's stayed for months now.

 

[Twisted Patriot]

I had the same clunk, when turning going over bumps. Turned out to be the nut on the adjustable lca was loose. I had to tighten it every couple of weeks. Finally put a little blue loctite on it and it's stayed for months now.

Unfortunately I still have stock control arms.. thats on the list of upgrades though.. lol

 

[Twisted Patriot]

My mysterious clunk turned out to be my LOD frame sliders hitting the body bolt. Drove me crazy!

I still have stock sliders.. but something to check to make sure they're tight

 

[Twisted Patriot]

Here are two videos of what im talking about.. it seems like it pops when my rear tires it the driveway.. but the drag link and tie rod seem to be whats causing it since they make noise when I rotate them.. they dont rotate a ton, but I dont feel like they should clunk.. would you guys be pretty confident thats the issue.

 

[TXSquid78]

Any lift on it? Anything rubbing against the front bumper plastic skid plate and catching? Only happening on turns so could be when the trackbar is angling out, its "pushing" against the skid and forcing its way on top of it. I have a spacer lift and that happens on mine.

 

[Twisted Patriot]

Any lift on it? Anything rubbing against the front bumper plastic skid plate and catching? Only happening on turns so could be when the trackbar is angling out, its "pushing" against the skid and forcing its way on top of it. I have a spacer lift and that happens on mine.

I do have a 3 inch lift.. had it since 2022 and this never happened until the last few days.. I really think its the tie rod or track bar since I can make it make noise by hand.. doesnt seem to be any lateral or vertical movement.. just rotational.. which a little is normal but I dont think I should be able to make them clunk by hand

 

[Roky]

I do have a 3 inch lift.. had it since 2022 and this never happened until the last few days.. I really think its the tie rod or track bar since I can make it make noise by hand.. doesnt seem to be any lateral or vertical movement.. just rotational.. which a little is normal but I dont think I should be able to make them clunk by hand

I think you’re on the right track….. but even if it turns out to be something else, it’s time for that tie rod and drag link to hit the recycling bin….

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