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08 JKU with loud clunk from right front

Old Jan 20, 2017 | 05:52 PM
  #1  
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Default 08 JKU with loud clunk from right front

So if I hit a bump, or even go over a dip in the road, I get a very load clunk on the passenger side. My buddy said you can feel it in the floor, and I can sometimes feel it in the floor on the driver side.

It also makes the sound when I turn to the right, but usually not as bad. And the sound is not al the time or everyday.

Just installed a Rough Country 3.5" Series ll lift and I have 35" tires, but the noise was happening before the lift was installed. And everything that we loosened or replaced, has been tightened and retightend after about 50 miles.

Any ideas? Because it sounds like my Jeep is going to fall apart.
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Old Jan 20, 2017 | 06:05 PM
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How are your ball joints and wheel bearing? Maybe one of them has some major up and down play going on
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Old Jan 20, 2017 | 06:12 PM
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A generic way to start troubleshooting it is to ask some strong (and heavy) friends to bounce the suspension while you're underneath watching and listening (w/ engine off & brake set).

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Old Jan 20, 2017 | 06:31 PM
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Tried the bouncing and even pulling left to right but could'nt repeat the noise.....as for the ball joints I will need to check.....thx
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Old Jan 21, 2017 | 06:34 PM
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I have a similar clunk. I took it to a mechanic and he saw right away there was some slight play in my track bar. Turns out, the bolt whole has worn to be oblong in the axle. The mechanic told me he's seen it on a number of jeeps.

He welded a washer in as a temporary fix, but I ordered an Artec track bar bracket to be welded in once I have some time.

The washer fixed the problem for a few days, but I don't think it held up.

Easy to check out, maybe it's your problem too.
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Old Jan 22, 2017 | 11:37 AM
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Thanks man I will check it out. Just seems odd that I disconnected the track bar on the passenger end and added a new bracket when I installed the lift, but i will still check it out. Appreciate it
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Old Jan 23, 2017 | 05:43 AM
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I've had this issue and it was my front shock bolts were a little loose on my shock relocation bracket. It also had this happen to the rear when I installed new king shocks and the mounting bolts loosened up after a few hundred miles.

If you can feel it in the floor its probably a loose bolt, track bar, control arm, etc.

Make sure you check the entire jeep its tricky to diagnose this noises and often times the sound travels and tricks the ear.

For instance i had a squeak for the longest time on bump roads.... i was convinced it was my control arms... ended up that it was just 1 skid plate bolt that was just a hair turn from being snug and the plate was rubbing on the cross member.
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Old Jan 23, 2017 | 05:44 AM
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Also, check you sway bar end links!!!!! they can wear out or become loose after a wheeling trip. Mine did and i replaced them with JKS quick diso, they have rubber bushings are much quieter.
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Old Jan 24, 2017 | 08:22 AM
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Went through this with a buddy's JK after a sport cage was installed. Was worse when someone was in the passenger seat. Turns out that bit of weight was compressing the rubber cab mount and a bolt from the sport cage was contacting the frame mount where it attached through the floor. It was a brutal clunk, and we checked all the normal suspects. The sport cage was carrying the sound up and amplifying it, while making it sound like it was coming from somewhere else. Right turns were the worse.

Don't overlook the non-suspension items in the search.
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Old Jan 24, 2017 | 08:37 AM
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Check your u-joints at your front axles, I have an 08 that had a similar issue and upon inspection my passenger side was toast. New joint and the problem went away.
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