Knocking/Clicking sound up front

[ejewels]

thanks guys, this is why I love this forum. I'm alone today but this weekend I can get my buddy to rock it while I inspect. Hoping whatever this is isn't doing damage... but just is loose.

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[ejewels]

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.

so basically try and tighten the front sway links? If thats all it is I'll be happy lol. If I had to guess, things loosened up after the install about a month ago.

 

[jgo138]

so basically try and tighten the front sway links? If thats all it is I'll be happy lol. If I had to guess, things loosened up after the install about a month ago.

The part circled was the culprit for me. Exact same sound from moving left to right.

 

[davewald]

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?

I felt it in almost all of the front end components, and heard it everywhere inside the Jeep. When I replaced the bolts and nuts, I also added washers to both sides, not just on the nut side. 5K miles later and still hasn't returned. Taking it to Moab again in a few weeks, so that should be the ultimate test.

 

[ejewels]

The part circled was the culprit for me. Exact same sound from moving left to right.

awesome, thanks man. I think I can just get a wrench in there and tighten myself.

 

[ejewels]

Welp, that seems to be it. The driver side top swaybar end link bolt was loose, as @jgo138 pointed out. I didn't even use the allen key and only a wrench to tighten and the sound already went away.

Question, since people take these on and off trailside, I'm assuming you just tighten "good-n-tight"? I still need to tighten down more and wondering if I'll need the allen key to really tighten down or not? I just used an adjustable wrench for now to at least verify what the issue was...

 

[GATORB8]

Welp, that seems to be it. The driver side top swaybar end link bolt was loose, as @jgo138 pointed out. I didn't even use the allen key and only a wrench to tighten and the sound already went away.

Question, since people take these on and off trailside, I'm assuming you just tighten "good-n-tight"? I still need to tighten down more and wondering if I'll need the allen key to really tighten down or not? I just used an adjustable wrench for now to at least verify what the issue was...

Spec is 60 ft lbs. Pull it off and check the threads on the link joint, banging around can damage them. I'd torque it down up top, the nut loosening can allow the threads to bang around, and the nut can actually fall off and allow the sway bar to disconnect itself.

Unless you have a crowsfoot handy, you'll normally have to do it by feel if the joint spins.

 

[ejewels]

Spec is 60 ft lbs. Pull it off and check the threads on the link joint, banging around can damage them. I'd torque it down up top, the nut loosening can allow the threads to bang around, and the nut can actually fall off and allow the sway bar to disconnect itself.

Unless you have a crowsfoot handy, you'll normally have to do it by feel if the joint spins.

what is the link joint, you mean the top bolt/nut... just take the top part there off and inspect? Honestly I'm not really mechanically inclined and was just going to tighten things up for now. I didn't drive a lot like this (nor offroad) so hoping nothing is messed up. Do I need an allen to fully tighten or does just a wrench work? And no, I don't have a crowsfoot nor know what it is lol.

 

[GATORB8]

what is the link joint, you mean the top bolt/nut... just take the top part there off and inspect? Honestly I'm not really mechanically inclined and was just going to tighten things up for now. I didn't drive a lot like this (nor offroad) so hoping nothing is messed up. Do I need an allen to fully tighten or does just a wrench work? And no, I don't have a crowsfoot nor know what it is lol.

It's not actually a bolt. The top joint is (normally) a ball joint:

This allows the connection to articulate and spin.

If it spins before 60 ft lbs, you'll want the Allen key.

 

[ejewels]

It's not actually a bolt. The top joint is (normally) a ball joint:

This allows the connection to articulate and spin.

If it spins before 60 ft lbs, you'll want the Allen key.

OK thanks, I see now. I'm going to just have to do "good n tight" for now as I don't have a torque wrench that will fit in there. I guess I'll just have to monitor it and if I hear the sound again, at least I know what it is. Is 60ft lbs super tight, or easily done with some elbow grease?

 

[GATORB8]

OK thanks, I see now. I'm going to just have to do "good n tight" for now as I don't have a torque wrench that will fit in there. I guess I'll just have to monitor it and if I hear the sound again, at least I know what it is. Is 60ft lbs super tight, or easily done with some elbow grease?

If you're using a 12" adjustable, a solid pull should be close. Think of it like pulling the end of the wrench with about what picking up 60 pounds feels like.

 

[ejewels]

If you're using a 12" adjustable, a solid pull should be close. Think of it like pulling the end of the wrench with about what picking up 60 pounds feels like.

Awesome, I'll give it a shot. Thanks again.

 

[ejewels]

If it spins before 60 ft lbs, you'll want the Allen key.

Hey Gator, do you mean if I can keep spinning it and its just not tightening anymore, I'd need the allen key? I was just able to only use the wrench (no allen) and tightened it up well.

 

[GATORB8]

Hey Gator, do you mean if I can keep spinning it and its just not tightening anymore, I'd need the allen key? I was just able to only use the wrench (no allen) and tightened it up well.

Yes, you can tell by watching the allen slot, if it spins when you turn you aren't actually tightening. If the joint is new and tight, you can sometimes get away with it like you did.

 

[ejewels]

Yes, you can tell by watching the allen slot, if it spins when you turn you aren't actually tightening. If the joint is new and tight, you can sometimes get away with it like you did.

Not sure if the allen was moving but yeah, I torqued the nut down pretty good and its tight. Guess I'll just keep an eye on it. I also don't have the best tools for the job so I kinda just made do with what I have. Tough manipulating a tiny 5mm allen key lol.

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