The loud clunk I hear when Four Wheeling with stock suspension....

locohosa · 11-12-2008, 04:32 PM

Is that the suspension bottoming out, or something else broken? I only noticed it when I was hitting bumps at a *Kinda* fast pace, when I slowed down it didnt happen at all. I assumed it was the suspension running out of travel, but I wanted to double check with some other Jeep owners.

If it is the suspension, then which component is running out of travel? If the springs are running out of travel before the shocks, then a 2 inch lift would help me some while I am waiting to save up for new struts. If its the struts bottoming out, then I know there is no point in doing a two inch now, and I should wait till I have a bit more money.

Any way, let me know please

ClassicVA · 11-12-2008, 04:34 PM

mine has been doing the same thing, along with dips in parking lot exits and other random bumps. im pretty sure my trackbar bushing is wearing out. or already worn out

BIG_J · 11-12-2008, 04:38 PM

Heck, i cant even remeber which noise mine make where. it make too many of them. Doesn't help that i cant drive it right now either.

**Magus2727** · 11-12-2008, 04:38 PM

you don't have struts, just springs and shocks. stock shocks would be hard to bottom out, you would have to be jumping the thing to bottom them out. My guess is there is something in your steering that is loose. Ball joints? Track bar? Tie Rod?

locohosa · 11-12-2008, 05:05 PM

Struts, sorry, that's my jeep noobness showing again. My clunk was basically driving too fast over rough terrain, seemed to be coming from the back, and had no connection to my steering. As the axle comes up, could it be hitting something on its way up? I wasnt jumping anything, but I was pushing her a little bit.

I dont know enough about suspension to even guess, and my grandfather, who is a tranny guy, said it sounded like a bad tranny mount. I honestly just assumed it was the suspension running out of travel.

lyleorszulak807 · 11-12-2008, 05:11 PM

It could be your rear sway bar hitting against the body....look for good size dents right above the rear tire in the center looking sideways. At least that's where it hits for me.

locohosa · 11-12-2008, 05:15 PM

Thank you, I will do that as soon as it stops flooding outside.

Is this why I have heard of people removing their sway bars?

lyleorszulak807 · 11-12-2008, 05:23 PM

that and more flex, really doesnt do much IMO in the rear. If you drive like you stole it keep the front one on. Personally I run no sway bar front and rear....but most of the people on this forum will tell you how dangerous it is..blah blah.

locohosa · 11-12-2008, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lyleorszulak807

that and more flex, really doesnt do much IMO in the rear. If you drive like you stole it keep the front one on. Personally I run no sway bar front and rear....but most of the people on this forum will tell you how dangerous it is..blah blah.

I dont ever drive it like I stole it till I get in the mud, if I did I would spend all my money fixing it, and never lifting it. I think I will leave them right where they are for a little while, and once I get a 2 inch lift, that will stop, right?

EDIT: That is, assuming its the sway bar hitting

lyleorszulak807 · 11-12-2008, 05:32 PM

well if you have stock suspension, not sure if its the sway bar or not....your bump stop should hit the axle before the swaybar hits the body. Never had a stock height XJ so I wouldn't know....but if you said its in the rear, then jack up the rear by the diff and see whats hitting when compressed. welcome to the wonderful world of heeps.

locohosa · 11-12-2008, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lyleorszulak807

well if you have stock suspension, not sure if its the sway bar or not....your bump stop should hit the axle before the swaybar hits the body. Never had a stock height XJ so I wouldn't know....but if you said its in the rear, then jack up the rear by the diff and see whats hitting when compressed. welcome to the wonderful world of heeps.

Would the bump stop make a noise half way between a Bang and a loud clunk? ?

kevbow007 · 11-12-2008, 05:54 PM

could be a bushing??

**Magus2727** · 11-12-2008, 06:01 PM

If you had to guess about how many inches would you say the rear dropped (compressed)? do you know or would you say that the rear end of your jeep is sagging (sitting lower then the front by more then 1/2 and inch?)?

**chris87xj** · 11-12-2008, 06:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by locohosa

Would the bump stop make a noise half way between a Bang and a loud clunk? ?

probably not since it's rubber. i wouldn't think you'd even hear it unless it hit REALLY hard.

locohosa · 11-12-2008, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Magus2727

If you had to guess about how many inches would you say the rear dropped (compressed)? do you know or would you say that the rear end of your jeep is sagging (sitting lower then the front by more then 1/2 and inch?)?

For all your questions, I dont really know. Now more details.

I have no idea how far the rear compressed, but it was enough that I think its REASONABLE to think I was running out of suspension. Everyone inside the jeep was getting thrown around quite nicely. This only occurred when driving more quickly through the really rough stuff, once I slowed down, then It no longer happened.

As far as sagging, I dont know. This is my first Jeep, and I have only had it a few weeks. I know it feels VERY stiff (Based on driving down pot hole covered roads and speed bumps, not offroading), and the jeep doesn't have the classic worn out feeling when I drive over a speed bump.