The instructions call for you to tighten the turnbuckle so that it contacts the plastic piece about 2" or so from closed. That's where I set it when I installed the bumper. Set screw is tight, the tire is tightened so that it's indented about 1/4-1/2" against the carrier. After a couple of months, it started rattling. I pulled the tire off, readjusted the turnbuckle (gave it a couple of turns) and the rattle went away. At that point it was contacting the plastic piece about 4-5" from the closed position. For about a month I was rattle free but it started again. I tightened the linkage again and now the tailgate is difficult for the wife to close. It's rattling again and I dont' want to tighten further as it's clearly not helping the situation. I suspect there is vertical movement in the tire carrier but the nut on the bottom of the hinge is tight. I wish it was a simple fix so that I could be done with it. I don't know what else to do. I followed the instructions when I installed it and I've redone it several times to make sure it was right. At times it sounds like it's vibrations building up in the carrier and I don't understand why some part of the linkage wouldnt have been made to absorb vibrations by putting some rubber or other material as part of it.

 

its sounds like u know what u are doing with the adjustments. hmmm...is it possible that the actual spindle housing itself is loose? i think they are lock nuts but maybe somehow it has fallen loose. there should be no vertical movement whatsoever. if there is vertical movement it could only be caused by the bottom bolt on the spindle(which u have checked) or the spindle housing bolts at the frame. the turnbuckle shouldn't have any movement either if it is adjusted that tight.

it sounds like u may need an extra set of eyes to look at it...lol sometimes that helps me when i'm stuck...lol

 

I would also go back and check the spindle's bracket mounted to the frame and make sure you used the proper shim required.

 

So what are your opinions on this setup lmao. Dang thread got hijacked. It's all good. Hope these guys can help you get your rattle fixed. I imagine that's quite annoying.

 

Have had both the front and rear bumpers for a little over two years now. I really like them both and would buy them again.

I like how wide the front bumper is, while still having a factory-ish look. It's saved my front fenders more than once going thru majorly off-cambered ruts by pushing the JK away from the rut wall enough to lessen the impact on the front fender. Most every other JK going thru the same ruts either entirely popped their front fender off, or majorly crushed it. For as much "side action" as my front bumper has taken, I'm impressed that the only thing I've had to do is just re-touch the paint. No dents or anything.

I also like how the winch is NOT mounted to the front fender. It mounts directly to the frame of the JK. The bumper isn't the lightest thing in the world, but I managed getting in on myself. No way in heck I could have done that if the winch was mounted to the fender, and I had lift them both up at the same time. I also like how the winch sits pretty low, no real impact to airflow through the front grills (although you have to make sure that the winch model you want fits).

The only thing that didn't totally impress me about the front bumper is the look of the weld lines. The main part of the bumper is machine pressed, which to me looks super clean. The top piece (that's to the sides of the winch) are hand-welded to the main part. On my bumper, it was a very heavy weld. Just didn't look as clean as the rest of the bumper. Don't even notice it now, but when unpacking it, I was one of those "hmmmmm" moments.

I ran the rear tire carrier for a few months with the stock bumper, so those were two separate installs for me. There's a bunch of steps for each, but I don't remember either one being particularly difficult. It's definitely not a "take the five bolts off the stock bumper, slide in the new number, put five bolts back in" install. If this is a concern for you, AEV's website has the full install instructions online that you can download now to look at.

I ran my tire carrier for a little over a year without any rattles. When it did start to rattle, I just had to turn the turnbuckle another turn, and it stopped. No squeaks/rattles since then. I also was surprised that they use washers to shim the turn buckle, but if the shim is going to be different per Jeep, I'm not sure of another method. Functionally, I've had no problems with it.

The water tanks that come with the bumpers are a bit of a PITA to use. I've never been able to get in the advertised 5 gallons, more like 3-4. But I've been on a few runs with my local Jeep club where someone's radiator has an issue (either low level from a crack or loose cap, or overheating from being covered in mud) where pulling a gallon or two of water from my rear bumper was easier/better/quicker than them running from Jeep to Jeep seeing who had extra water bottles with them.

I also like how the tire carrier attaches to the tailgate, and doesn't require an extra latches to open/close. You open the tailgate just like you normally would. No extra steps because of the tire carrier.

There are some other accessories for the tire carrier, like a 10 gallon fuel container, and a high-lift/pull pal mount. Neither are inexpensive, but the functionality of both are pretty cool, IMO. I ran my high-lift on it all of the time until recently, and never once heard it rattle.

Coming off of some ledges with big drops, I've slammed my JK down on both sides of the rear bumper a few times since I've had it. Got some scratches that painted out, but no dents/bends/needing to unbolt/realign anything to make it straight again.

My only "complaint" with the rear bumper/tire carrier would be the price. Who wouldn't want it for less? But functionality and durability wise, it's exceeded my expectations.

 

Very extensive and helpful description. Thank you very much.

 

i run only the tire carrier. ihave have their lift and wheels but that is not important. the tire carrier has been great so far. was time consuming to install but once i had it setup no issues at all. it swings smoothly with the gate which is nice. i don't really like their bumpers though. just not for me. if i was looking for a full width front i would get the tubeless version, but i want a stubby with a bar/stinger. looking at the poison spider brawler lite but can't decide between the brawler bar and trail stinger. the rear bumper is nice if you want those other functions. the fuel caddy can be used with the tire carrier only. it allows for 10.2 gallons of fuel to be carried nicely behind the spare. i also have the led light they offer which neatly mounts in one of the holes on my spare wheel/tire. the only thing i don't like about the tire carrier is that u are very limited on bumper choices that will work with it if you don't choose the AEV bumper. I know Genrights will work with some fab work and the mopar off road rear bumper will as well. i may try to fab it onto a poison spyder bumper or I may just sell the tire carrier and go for a different setup. this is not an issue if you like the aev bumper though. mine has been trouble/rattle free since new and it is built well. the powder coat is excellent and the spindle is high quality. it can easily be greased from underneath.

 

I have had the front bumper on for 2+ years. Rear bumper & carrier for 6 months. Professional shops installed mine, no issues, no rattles. Tire carrier is best design out there IMO. I do take my rig off road. I certainly would buy again.

 

Like a few others I have the tire carrier only. When I bought mine the biggest deciding factor was easy 1 step tailgate open. We camp a fair bit and although our Jeep is not a daily driver it has been known to grab some groceries. Plus while camping we are in and out of tailgate a lot. I use this with my stock rear bumper and had Northridge4x4 install it when we went down that way for gears, tires, etc. It has been trouble free. I even added a body lift and have done some minor modifying on it to accomodate the extra 1-1/4" differerence between frame and body. I don't have any other AEV stuff and it does seem expensive but the tire carrier in my opinion is worth it. The only other option at the time was the orfab that worked with the stock rear and at this point I am glad I went AEV.