So after my most recent trip out, I have developed a somewhat unique issue that I have been unable to diagnose. I am running the 4" Superlift with adjustable front track bar, and I have the Teraflex control arms all round. I am running 35ish KM2s. And i have stock gears at the moment.

When I move my steering wheel all the way to the passenger side to turn right, I get a loud bang, enough that it shakes the whole front end. I can watch the tires sort of jump. And it is hard enough of a bang to make my D-rings bounce against the bumper. It does it the worst when the Jeep is sitting still. And it only does it from right to left, not the other way. I've checked my U-joints and they seem fine. Looked at my balljoints and from the look, they look fine. So what could cause this sort of action in the front end? I don't think it has anything to do with the steering mechanism or the knuckle like some people have had issues with. And the tie rod still looks straight, it's definitely not the tie rod making contact at the track bar bracket. This is a much harder hit, enough that the whole front end bangs and kind of jumps.

Hopefully someone out here has some insight. I figure I may take it to my local off-road shop to get it looked at in a couple weeks when I can, but it's kind of scary to drive at the moment.

 

Edit.... I see it does it sitting still, have you checked your pitman and sector shaft?
Also check your trackbar and make sure the threaded part isn't jumping threads.Sounds like somethings bindin ,then releasing. Lay under there and have someone turn the wheel, may be able to locate the noise. Sounds almost like an axle pop or gear related, but if your sitting still, I dunno. Maybe jack up the front end and spin your tires by hand aswell, check fur abnormal noises.

 

Been trying all that and I think I may have located the issue. Looks like my tie rod was contacting the track bar bracket and it was bent enough that the steering stabilizer was hitting too. That was part of it. The other part I am yet to figure out. It was definitely what I would describe as some sort of binding. I've turned it lock to lock a bunch of times, with engine on and still can't seem to find the exact location of the noise. I will be working more on this I think over the next day or so... I'll see if I can figure out how to post a video.

Is it possible that my front axle may have moved toward the passenger side about 1/4 or 1/2 inch? How would that have even happened?

 

Anybody have pics of how close the tie rod comes to the track bar bracket at full lock toward the passenger side? And/or pics of what the tie rod is supposed to look like? I know it has some sort of bends in it from stock, but what does it look like?

 

nice write up

 

Also, don't forget to inspect your spring hats for coil bind..

 

My gears and locker are being installed and they are checking out my front end. Hoping for a resolution...I've checked everything and found nothing wrong. The shop said they think it could be a combination of a bunch of loose bolts. Said he had a TJ doing it a couple weeks ago, it did it while turning left, and it ended up being something stupid like some kind of bolt being loose. I personally think the heim joint on my track bar is shot...guess time will tell.

 

I have a new 0-10 rubi with a similar issue, when turned to the right i get a loud bang all most like axle snapping or gear break etc. I can not for the life of me figure out this issue. My jeep only does it in 4lo locked backing up ?

 

best way to isolate a noise in the front is to have someone turn the wheel while you lay under and look, place your hand on the track bar, tie rod or anywhere you think it could be coming from you can usally feel a vibration. usally track bar related, loctite nuts and check often cause if you use your JK it's gonna come loose stock or not.