Noob with a noise

[brotherGood]

'21 JLU Wrangler. Just purchased last week.

Before I deal with the dealer headache, I figured Id check here for any quick tips.

Going over any bumps, and even as simple as when we're getting in and out, im hearing a creaking noise. I haven't been able to isolate it, but it does sound like it's similar for all 4 corners. When we test drove/bought the Jeep, there weren't any noises.

The best explanation of sound I've got would be either coil spring creak, dried out bushings, or worn lug studs (ive had experience in other vehicles with worn studs that have failed).

To my knowledge, this is the factory suspension..but it does have 35x12.5s all the way around.

Any ideas?

Thanks.

Sponsored

 

[brotherGood]

Now that Im home, I ran out and snagged a picture of each corner (as best I could without getting underneath). I also bounced a bit on each corner and the most noise is from the rear. In fact, when I pushed on the hook below the bumper, it gave me the most noise.

Coming from torsion bars, and late 60s tech..and not having put a wrench on anything yet. Does anything stand out? (Other than where the 12.5" tire is rubbing)

 

[brotherGood]

Well, after doing even more reading, and the dog getting me up early, I ran out this morning before church and tried to find anything loose. Everything seemed pretty tight, so I WD40'd everything..and the noise has gone away. True test will be the road test, but jumping on the tow hook didn't seem to do anything unlike yesterday.

 

[flyer92]

Glad that the WD-40 helped stop the creaking, but when you do finally isolate it, you'll want to use something different. WD-40 is merely a water displacer (hence the "WD"), so something like white lithium grease, PBlaster, or even a light machine oil will last longer. Best of luck with your new JL and enjoy!

 

[brotherGood]

Agreed. Driving to church this morning the noise returned.

At one point when I was under it, I was pulling/pushing on the hitch with one hand and feeling around with another. I did feel a slight vibration matching the creaking in the end links, so that may be the first place I try the better lubricant.

Thanks.

 

[brotherGood]

Next-day update: The creaking has gotten substantially quieter. I sprayed some silicone on the sway bar end link bushings and so far-somewhat better. I'm still hearing a clicking that sounds like its coming from the front (I had heard it, but figured it was related to the rear noise). Initially, the thought was it did it while turning, but as we were driving down the alleyway to park last night (holding the wheel straight) it would still make the noise over bumps.

As long as the weather holds out, I'll get back under there in the next couple of days and just hit all bushings with the silicone. The clicking is odd, and like I said earlier I'm scarred by a history of steering/suspension failures in the past with other vehicles (control arm snapping while driving, wheels falling off due to broken studs, separate instance of wheel falling off due to lug nuts backing out, ball joint falling out, ball joint stripping off the castle nut). If its a normal noise, it is what it is..I'd just like to be sure based on my past history.

 

[Sydwaiz]

Retorque your track bar bolts. I had some creaking on mine and this was the cause. Even though I torqued to spec when I installed my lift, after a while I was getting a creaking noise and the track bar was the culprit.

 

[brotherGood]

Retorque your track bar bolts. I had some creaking on mine and this was the cause. Even though I torqued to spec when I installed my lift, after a while I was getting a creaking noise and the track bar was the culprit.

Yeah, I'm actually planning on getting underneath it and checking ball joint/castle nut torque. It's been brought to my attention that they're a common problem, especially for '21s. I'd might as well just make sure everything else is good and tight while I'm underneath it.

 

[thecritter]

Sway bar bushings look pretty tired. I have replaced them once and as mentioned by @sydwloose loose track bar but mine was more of a clunk when stopping.

 

[brotherGood]

Went out and fought the cotter pins to check the lower ball joints..yeah they were wicked tight..ha!

I did take a video of it backing in to the driveway and amidst all the background noise, the creaking is audible. It seems as if its coming from under the front doors, honestly, as I walked along side.

 

[Sydwaiz]

Front track bar.

 

[brotherGood]

Front track bar.

Yeah, I went with the ball joints first and once we tried that out Id planned on getting back under there, but we had to go pick the kiddo up.

I'm hoping to get a chance to get under there sooner rather than later. I can't get back working on my car without this being resolved..ha!

 

[thecritter]

I second the Front track bar. It has a pretty hefty torque spec.

 

[brotherGood]

Alright, I finally got some time to get underneath to check the track bar..and that bad boy was wicked tight. I started to shimmy out and bumped the drag link and noticed this..



So..my brain initially said "if the track bar is solid, then maybe its the aluminum knuckle theory"..but now Im struggling trying not to go down a rabbit hole as I've already got one vehicle apart..ha!

 

[thecritter]

Have you tried just tightening it up? Memory serves the hole is tapered .

Sponsored