Drag Link Play / Shifting?

[music293]

Lifted my ‘20 JLU Sahara a few weeks ago, and I’m trying to track down what I would describe as a “rattle” when I hit bumps on the road and what not.

In doing so, I’ve noticed my drag link has a little bit of play or shift up and down at the wheel.

Truthfully, I don’t know if it did this before the lift, or if it’s normal. So I’m turning to the pros.

Is this normal? Do I need to fix something? Thanks in advance!

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[jessedacri]

That's totally normal, and the aftermarket stuff moves even more than that as it's ultimately just a ball joint. Shouldn't be the source of any rattling.

 

[music293]

That's totally normal, and the aftermarket stuff moves even more than that as it's ultimately just a ball joint. Shouldn't be the source of any rattling.

Well, that’s reassuring. But also means I need to continue chasing down the rattle. On to the next thing. Thanks, friend!

 

[WAOLIFE]

Well, that’s reassuring. But also means I need to continue chasing down the rattle. On to the next thing. Thanks, friend!

You are certain that the rattle is coming from the front end?

 

[music293]

You are certain that the rattle is coming from the front end?

I think so, but I’m open to other ideas if there’s something you’re thinking of! Honestly I just realized the pins for the sway bar links are really noisy as well, so I’m going to tape them down momentarily and see what I hear.

 

[WAOLIFE]

I think so, but I’m open to other ideas if there’s something you’re thinking of! Honestly I just realized the pins for the sway bar links are really noisy as well, so I’m going to tape them down momentarily and see what I hear.

I'm thinking exhaust bracket or loose shock mount.

 

[music293]

I'm thinking exhaust bracket or loose shock mount.

well I’ll be looking into that!! thanks!!

 

[SouthernJL]

Old thread, I know but I'm trying to find the cause of this exact problem on my 21 JLUR now. I have a rattle coming from my passenger side when I hit bumps in the road.

I have a Rock Krawler lift, installed by a local shop. I've had to take it back a couple times for adjustments/mistakes they made but last time I took it (maybe 7 or 8 mths ago), seems like they got it right. Starting hearing a rattle about 2 to 3 weeks ago and figured something needs to be torqued down again.

Took it to the shop this morning and I'm being told it looks like I need my tie rod and drag link replaced. For reference, I have 37 inch light C load K02s and a 2.5 in RK lift. Is this a common failure?

 

[word302]

Old thread, I know but I'm trying to find the cause of this exact problem on my 21 JLUR now. I have a rattle coming from my passenger side when I hit bumps in the road.

I have a Rock Krawler lift, installed by a local shop. I've had to take it back a couple times for adjustments/mistakes they made but last time I took it (maybe 7 or 8 mths ago), seems like they got it right. Starting hearing a rattle about 2 to 3 weeks ago and figured something needs to be torqued down again.

Took it to the shop this morning and I'm being told it looks like I need my tie rod and drag link replaced. For reference, I have 37 inch light C load K02s and a 2.5 in RK lift. Is this a common failure?

Yes. Those things wear fast when coupled with 37s. Expect to replace the ball joints before long as well.

 

[SouthernJL]

Yes. Those things wear fast when coupled with 37s. Expect to replace the ball joints before long as well.

Thanks for the insight. I'm fine with replacing the components if they are really the cause of the rattle. My concern is I'm not 100% convinced of that.

When the Jeep was up on the lift, the mechanic was pushing the drag link up and down to demonstrate it having a bit of play (like and 1/8 or a 1/4 inch). The sound it was making was a slight clunking noise. His assessment is that's what I'm hearing when I hit bumps in the road. While researching on this forum, I found others asking if that's normal and the answer seems to be yes (feel free to correct me if I'm wrong).

However, the noise I hear when I hit bumps in the road is very much a rattle and not a clunk. The best way to describe the sound is it's sort of like the rattle/clatter of a diesel engine. It's not exactly like that but closer to that than the clunking sound I heard when the drag link was moved up and down.

What I'm trying to avoid is replacing parts that don't solve the problem.

 

[SouthernJL]

I found this member's post and this is similar to what I saw
https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/play-in-tie-rod-and-drag-link.64399/

 

[Roky]

I found this member's post and this is similar to what I saw
https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/play-in-tie-rod-and-drag-link.64399/

The drag link and tie rod wil rock back and forth, like using the throttle on a motorcycle, and clank, that’s normal. But if it’s horizontal movement straight up and down then that’s wear.

 

[SouthernJL]

The drag link and tie rod wil rock back and forth, like using the throttle on a motorcycle, and clank, that’s normal. But if it’s horizontal movement straight up and down then that’s wear.

I'll try get video of the movement I'm seeing and try and get audio of the rattle I'm hearing when I hit a bump.

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