New unlimited willys. About 500 miles on it, drove from Atlanta to Florida to see the blue angels. Noticed a loud rattle coming from the front suspension today, when going down a bumpy road.

Drives fine, crawled under and nothing seems obviously loose. Is this common? Is it actually an issue, or do they all rattle and I just didn't notice before? I'll schedule an appointment for next week but have to drive it six hours home tomorrow.

 

Had the same thing happen to me and took it to dealership and they fixed it for me. I can't remember want it was though.

 

Could you describe the rattle a little more? I had a drag link replaced it would clunk or rattle over bumps... Also loose sway bar end links could cause rattle.

 

any of the lights lighting up? like swar bar disconnect? does it do it in 2 wheel and 4 wheel high? in 4 lo?

rattling isnt a good thing, is there a local jeep dealer? its def still under warrenty and any jeep dealer should be happy to check it out under warrenty, esp considering its a long drive with something rattling.

 

I wouldn't say happy to check it out... Took me months of complaining about the drag link before they replaced it.... And I have the "max care" warranty... Good luck

 

Only hear it at low speeds over small bumps. Sounds like light metal-like a heat shield or a brake dust shield. I did notice I can grab a couple of the steering components (there are two bars that go across the front-I'm not familiar with solid axle suspensions) and rotate them and they would clunk as there is rotational play in the end links....but that doesn't seem like the same sound.

 

That rotation and clunk are normal..... To an extent... I would say if it sounds like a heat shield it probably is... I think mine did the same when new. Now, now that I think about it... I don't hear the sound anymore. Hey a quick suggestion, to diagnose my problem I taped an old phone under the jeep and drove around to get some sound/video. Not sure if that's an option but a couple videos and pop them on YouTube and we can maybe help more....

 

Sounds like a good gopro application!

 

Update: made it home from Florida. Gas mileage sucks at 80 on the freeway!! Stopped at the grocery and noticed the rattle was really bad going diagonally over speed bumps, which gave me an idea. Got home and could replicate the rattle by rocking the jeep side to side. Figured out the passenger side sway bar end link was not tight, and the sway bar was rattling in the end link. Got about half a turn tighter on the nut, and no rattle when I rock the jeep side to side now. I'll test drive it tomorrow.

 

Really odd on a new Jeep... But prob not that uncommon. Torque her down to about 75 foot Pounds and she should stay snug. I put a little blu loc-tite on mine but I'm no expert....