Do Wranglers tend to loosen up or become rattly or squeaky with off-road use?
10-04-2015, 09:24 PM
#1
JK Newbie
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Sonoran Desert ~ Arizona
Posts: 51
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Do Wranglers tend to loosen up or become rattly or squeaky with off-road use?
We have just a limited amount of off-road use in our Wrangler and when doing so, as most people, we take care to go slowly and not subject the Jeep to unnecessarily hard shocks. Yet still, of course, the body gets torsional stresses and strains as it goes over rough terrain.
Should we expect the Jeep to develop rattles and squeaks as a result of off-road use?
Should we expect the Jeep to develop rattles and squeaks as a result of off-road use?
Last edited by DHart; 10-04-2015 at 09:41 PM.
10-04-2015, 10:21 PM
#2
JK Super Freak
We have just a limited amount of off-road use in our Wrangler and when doing so, as most people, we take care to go slowly and not subject the Jeep to unnecessarily hard shocks. Yet still, of course, the body gets torsional stresses and strains as it goes over rough terrain.
Should we expect the Jeep to develop rattles and squeaks as a result of off-road use?
Should we expect the Jeep to develop rattles and squeaks as a result of off-road use?
10-05-2015, 03:22 AM
#3
Super Moderator
Mine has a noise behind the dash that isn't fixed with usual diagnostics, everything else seems quiet.
10-05-2015, 03:35 AM
#4
JK Super Freak
I had sort of a buzzing rattle behind the dash on the drivers side at highway speed. Took me a year to figure it out, it ended up being a tear in the in-cabin air filter, located behind the glove-box.
10-05-2015, 05:34 AM
#5
JK Freak
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Tulsa, OK
Posts: 645
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The only thing I've noticed are my doors slightly rattling. But I also remove and reinstall my doors 5-8 times per year since 2008 so I wasn't surprised. As an above post stated, washing the jeep after wheeling is a good idea because mud and dust will be hard on drivetrain parts, causing them to wear out prematurely.
10-06-2015, 12:46 PM
#6
JK Newbie
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Sonoran Desert ~ Arizona
Posts: 51
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I guess what is inevitable is to be lived with. Thanks for the tips.
If and when squeaks/rattles appear, I will inquire about how to bird-dog them down.
We are sure loving 4-wheeling with this Jeep!
If and when squeaks/rattles appear, I will inquire about how to bird-dog them down.
We are sure loving 4-wheeling with this Jeep!
Last edited by DHart; 10-06-2015 at 12:50 PM.
10-06-2015, 03:03 PM
#7
JK Newbie
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: mountain city, tn
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Just make sure to check the tightness of all the fasteners in the suspension after a few outings, and lube the bushings. If you don't do a little preventive maintenance, then you will definitely develop squeeks rattles and pops.
Trending Topics
10-06-2015, 09:49 PM
#8
JK Enthusiast
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Chicago
Posts: 173
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Sent from my iPad using JK-Forum
10-07-2015, 01:37 PM
#9
JK Super Freak
My JK has loosened up to a point, 24k miles, but isn't getting any worse. Typical dash rattles, squeaky/creaky hardtop, an occasional squeak in the suspension depending on the terrain. The cowl shakes like a banshee over washboards when the top is off. The steering is starting to feel ever so slightly more loose than stock-JK imprecise steering so I'm guessing ball joints or tie rods are starting to wear. It wheels a lot.
10-07-2015, 05:35 PM
#10
JK Newbie
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Sonoran Desert ~ Arizona
Posts: 51
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
We also discussed beefing up the upper arms of the "Cs", due to the additional stress on them from the 35" tires.
Jason was very helpful. I think we've found our Jeep 4WD specialist.
Last edited by DHart; 10-07-2015 at 05:39 PM.