Over the past couple months, I have been noticing a slight bump in my steering wheel and floor boards. Over the past week or so, I am starting to notice a little "hitch" (minor clunking sound when turning the steering wheel) coming from my right front tire. I don't have the mechanical knowledge to know what might be going on in the front end. I don't know how to tell if the tie rods are shot, if the u-joints are ok, if the ball joints are bad, etc.... I was wondering if any of you more mechanically abled would be willing to give me a hand to dig into this. I guess I am looking to get about an hours worth of time from someone that can help me understand how all of this stuff up front works. I have had the jeep to the dealership a couple times, but they're already grumbling over the fact that I have a lift. I would be more than willing to come to you if that is easier. I would like to keep the drive time to no longer than an hour.

Please let me know if anyone is available over the next week or so.

Thanks

db1

 

shoot me a pm and let me know where in ct you are. if i get a chance this week i may be able to come take a look, ive got a big project due Monday but ill let you know if i am able to steal some free time.

 

this sounds a whole lot like the clunk most JKs have from the factory. Usually starts when the front end has loosened up a bit.

swapping out the tie rod helped for me, but did not take it away completely. so I believe the cause may be multi factorial.

It’s a pain in the a**, but the good news is a bunch of JKs have been driving around with this for 3 years now without catastrophic failure.

 

Sounds like this may be your problem. I've had it for over a year now. Comes and goes, haven't felt it for a few months.

 

I think your right. I just don't know how comfortable I am with filling that boot with 5th wheel grease. If there is a rubber gasket, etc in there, the grease is going to break that down over time, and probably cause more issues.

 

I'd be willing to help you understand everything and diagnose your issues. I'm in Dalton, MA .

 

Thanks Chewie. Jud offered to give me a hand also. Are you guys near one another? If so, I have no problem bringing it up, and we could all take a look at it.

 

Jud would be closer for you but let me know if it doesn't work out for him.

 

Will do. I stopped by a Goodyear dealer today to look at some new tires, and I had them take a quick peak at it. They think it might be a bad ball joint. The thing that ticks me off is that I just had the jeep to the dealership about a month ago, and they said that the ball joints were fine.

 

if you still wanted me to come take a look i have absolutely nothing to do this weekend. i have to go to trinity college today until like 4 or i could stop by tomorrow if you'd still like