Knocking/Clicking sound up front

[ejewels]

OK, so here's a new one. Had a good jeep 4x4 shop Install a Clayton 1.5" ride right kit (everything but their UCAs; I opted to go for the Mopar lift kit LCAs instead) about a month ago. Shortly after, upgraded to 0 offset wheels with new 285/75r17 Toyo C load AT3's. Everything has felt solid and the alignment came back good with 5.6 caster.

However yesterday, on a slight turn going pretty slow in a parking lot, I heard a clicking/slight knocking sound coming from the front. Metal sounding. So I got home, parked... and rocked the jeep side to side, and heard the noise. While I was doing this, I looked over the springs/shocks/end links on each side and nothing is hitting that I can see... plus this happens with minimal articulation (just me shaking it side to side).

Now here's the kicker. If I start rocking it side to side harder... the sound completely goes away! So its almost like something gets bound up, and then after shaking it a little harder, it releases. Now, if I go and take the jeep out again, drive around with some turns, bumps, etc... it seems to start back again.

Any ideas? I thought balljoints from what I've read on here, but it happens with the wheels straight and just rocking the jeep side to side when parked. Sounds like its more upfront, center, towards the bumper. Otherwise, everything rides perfectly and feels tight.

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[ejewels]

update: Tried to narrow the sound down a bit. If I push down on the right front bumper, I get the sound now. Hardly takes any effort. If I put my hand on the sway bar while doing this, I can feel the sound / vibration on it. So I think something might be hitting the swaybar a little? I checked the swaybar end links and all seems tight.

 

[GATORB8]

There is a TSB where the ball joint nuts were not tightened to the correct torque that causes clicking. I heard in on slow turns, but just tightened them to torque and never checked anything else.

I think I used a crowsfoot for access. Have to replace the cotter pins. It was literally finger tight from the factory.

 

[ejewels]

There is a TSB where the ball joint nuts were not tightened to the correct torque that causes clicking. I heard in on slow turns, but just tightened them to torque and never checked anything else.

I think I used a crowsfoot for access. Have to replace the cotter pins. It was literally finger tight from the factory.

I'll have my shop check it out who recently did the lift. But this seems so specific. It doesn't happen when only turning I just realized... even if wheels are straight and jeep shut off... just lightly cycling the suspension I get it. All I have to do is press down on the front right side of the bumper pretty lightly and it happens. I then feel it in the sway bar when touching it.

 

[ejewels]

There is a TSB where the ball joint nuts were not tightened to the correct torque that causes clicking. I heard in on slow turns, but just tightened them to torque and never checked anything else.

I think I used a crowsfoot for access. Have to replace the cotter pins. It was literally finger tight from the factory.

What do I need to say to the dealer to ensure he does this TSB (tightening up the ball joint nuts) in terms of symptoms i'm having? Just clicking while turning? Even if I dont actually have that, it would be nice to have them torque down anyways. Also, if I'm out of the 3 year warranty, do they still do TSBs? I do still have the 5 year/100k.

 

[GATORB8]

What do I need to say to the dealer to ensure he does this TSB (tightening up the ball joint nuts) in terms of symptoms i'm having? Just clicking while turning? Even if I dont actually have that, it would be nice to have them torque down anyways. Also, if I'm out of the 3 year warranty, do they still do TSBs? I do still have the 5 year/100k.

So a TSB is a Service Bulletin, not a recall. It includes symptom based instructions. It would only be covered by warranty if the issue is covered.

I'd have to look, but with the solid axle, the ball joints may be covered by drivetrain.

If you're going to your shop anyway, I'd fork out the hour or less it would probably cost to have them torque it all down just to keep from having to deal with the dealer.

 

[bllprk]

There is a TSB where the ball joint nuts were not tightened to the correct torque that causes clicking. I heard in on slow turns, but just tightened them to torque and never checked anything else.

I think I used a crowsfoot for access. Have to replace the cotter pins. It was literally finger tight from the factory.

This is it.

 

[ejewels]

So a TSB is a Service Bulletin, not a recall. It includes symptom based instructions. It would only be covered by warranty if the issue is covered.

I'd have to look, but with the solid axle, the ball joints may be covered by drivetrain.

If you're going to your shop anyway, I'd fork out the hour or less it would probably cost to have them torque it all down just to keep from having to deal with the dealer.

thanks man. Yeah, really don't want to bring to the dealer, and am waiting to hear back from the 4x4 shop. I just figured while I'm already in the dealer (I have to go for another recall with CA emissions, even though I'm not in CA lol) and figured I'd ask them to torque the ball joint bolts down.

 

[ejewels]

This is it.

Unfortunately, I get the knocking sound with wheels straight on flat ground, parked... by simply pushing down on the right side of the bumper a little. So no stress on the balljoints really at that point (I think). Plus if I hold onto the sway bar, I can feel the sound... if that makes sense. I think something might be hitting the sway bar. I'll try to take a quick video... I'm thinking it might be an easy solve with tightening something up. I did just have a lift installed, so this might be par for the course.

 

[ejewels]

OK, here's a video I just took in the garage. You'll see me rock the jeep side to side, then go to the right side of the bumper (driver side). Pushing down very lightly. Then when I go to the left passenger side, I push down with same amount of force and nothing. I can hear this while driving slowly too, which is how I first heard it recently. Now admittedly I haven't gotten a chance to really get under there and check while someone is rocking the jeep... but figured I'd ask the pros here.

 

[davewald]

I chased a similar knock in my front end for months after installing adjustable front LCA's. After reading a lot of posts on this forum, taking it to my experienced Jeep mechanic, and putzing around with it many times, I finally stopped it by replacing then torquing the heck out of the bolts and nuts for the LCA's. It's a common problem, apparently, I just wasn't using enough ugga dugga to get it to stop.

 

[ejewels]

ah ok thanks. So might be LCAs needing more torque? Did you feel it in the sway bar when holding it and bouncing the jeep?

 

[bllprk]

OK, here's a video I just took in the garage. You'll see me rock the jeep side to side, then go to the right side of the bumper (driver side). Pushing down very lightly. Then when I go to the left passenger side, I push down with same amount of force and nothing. I can hear this while driving slowly too, which is how I first heard it recently. Now admittedly I haven't gotten a chance to really get under there and check while someone is rocking the jeep... but figured I'd ask the pros here.

Seems like you should be able to see it... Yes, it sounds more like a collision than the tick that comes from ball joints.

 

[jgo138]

I had a similar clicking sound coming from the rear that was driving me crazy. I also have the Clayton 1.5" lift. Turns out it was the sway bar link bolt that wasn't tightened enough and was causing it to move very slightly, but made that same sound. Maybe it's one of the sway bar links up front? Second set of eyes while rocking it should confirm either way.

 

[BUSHRVN]

Did you look closely at the frame mounted bushings for the swaybar? If there’s play there that would allow the bar to pop up and down. Have someone rock the Jeep while looking at the bushings. Since you said you can feel it when you touch the sway bar, I’d check that out. I have a Canam atv that pops when I stand on it and move from side to side, Sway bar bushings have play.

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