RESOLVED!! Found the problem! Bolts in upper rear sway bar links were just long enough to hit the frame when suspension compressed. I couldn't see this until I pulled the wheels off. Incredible that such a small piece can make such a racket! Thanks to all for your help...



A couple months ago, my 15 yr old son and I installed the Tera Flex 2.5" BB with adapters on my 08 Unlimited X. We tackled the project ourselves after reading so many posts from people saying how satisfying it is to get in there and see how it all works and fits together. I've never done much more than an oil change, but decided to give it a try. I had to buy a few things (jack, stands, torque wrench, etc), but it was a blast! Started at 7pm on a Saturday night and finished at 1:30am Sunday. We followed the write-up on a laptop in the garage. Great bonding experience too!!

My question is this: When I go over a speed bump or similar obstacle (insert joke here about mall crawler) the rear end seems to slam down rather sharply... Its a bam or a wham.. It feels like something's not right or tight. I've crawled under and checked every bolt I touched (shocks, track bar, sway bar links) but can't find anything loose or not torqued properly. Any ideas? Do I need to put it back on the stands and check things while hanging?

Thanks in advance for any advice... I've learned more on this forum (mostly as a lurker) than in any classroom!!

By the way, I'm also running 285 70-17 BFG KM2's on 17" Jeep wheels with 1.25" Spidertrax spacers...

 

did you put in the rear drop bracket for the trac bar? also check the bolts in the rear sawybar connects. mine were hitting the spring i just flipped them around and had not had a problem... i was getting a bang when i went over bumps. there is a post somewhere on here about it.... also you took the rear links and put them up front and the ones from the kit put in the back... I know someone who did not do that and they had problems too..

 

The kit did not have the track bar bracket. Everything seemed to line up OK... Sounds like I need to get one and install... I did swap the rear links to the front and the bolts are positioned so they do not hit the springs...

Thanks for the quick reply.

 

the track bar bracket won't be the problem.
I cant imagine it NOT being something with the positioning of the sway bar links.
but since you say it isn't we've got it narrowed down to the shocks/adaptors right? the only other option if it isn't trac bar or sway bar links... and im not sure what could be wrong there as its a simple install..
I would check double check and triple check everything with the sway bar links... you could even disconnect them and then drive over a bump and if the noise is gone... you know where the issue is.
the links should be positioned on the inside of the track bar on both sides and inside of the frame bracket on both sides


However don't worry you will be able to find the issue sooner or later. its such a basic lift and like you said it's easy to track down every bolt you touched... good luck

good luck

Dave Bloomer

 

is noise coming from the front or the back?

 

and i would either get an adjustable rear trak bar or the adapter from TF it's a must have got one myself and welded it to my axle

 

If sound is from the rear, check rear bumpstops, make sure they are facing the right direction, flat edge on back. Post some pics here or pm me.

 

Another question. Did you use new shocks or the extenders?

 

5000 miles on mine with now track bar adjustments at all w/ no problems. Drove like factory.

 

Sound is definitely coming from the rear, and I used the shock extenders. Front end feels great... tight, no pulling, rides great. It's just the loud bang and rough ride when the rear axle hits a bump.

Tonight I'll pull the rear links per KodiBloomer's suggestion and see if the noise goes away. Also, another kudo to Tera Flex... They're sending me the rear trackbar bracket!