BUMP! goes my front end

imteachin · 02-21-2003, 11:08 AM

Recent snow here in PA. Tooled around in it, nothing major though. Before, I used to notice a "clunk" or "bump" sound in my front end once in a while- usually during a turn or a pothole. Now I have really began noticing this sound, especially when I am making a turn. Little thud under my feet. What is this?

I have also noticed that when I take it out of 4x4, it takes a few seconds to disengage and finally does so with a clunk.

Are these related? Remedies?

Thank you very much.

2000 TJ 4.0 Sport 5spd

Jeep-Ne-Time · 02-21-2003, 11:15 AM

I think it would help if you stated your vehicle and specifics on the tranny and such. Just a thought

Mark

asjeep · 02-21-2003, 11:16 AM

mine was doing the same thing.... check your tires.....

are they worn more on the front than the rear? get 1 new replacement lately?

i had 2 (identical tread pattern) 2 year old bfgs on my rear and 2 new (same tread pattern) bfg's on the front, had the same noises........ got 2 new rears and life was good

imteachin · 02-21-2003, 11:24 AM

Added my info...sry

Tires are 1 yr old...don't think it is that. Definitely a mechanical knock up front... a single "clunk"

Jim Shanks · 02-21-2003, 02:17 PM

Maybe try checking your swaybar links, if one's broke it can knock around. Besides that, could be your motor/tranny mounts letting things twist more than they should and rattling your t-case linkage.

HTH,

Jim

Jeep-Ne-Time · 02-21-2003, 02:23 PM

Check out the U-Joints and grease the seven zerks around the front end...If its a clunk make sure everything is tight up front. I am no mechanic, I am just thinking out loud. Never had experiance with your description of whats going on, just trying to imagine what "could" be going on. Have you made any modification to the suspension?
Mark

macb · 02-21-2003, 02:43 PM

get under the front end and tighten everything down...if you offroad
then regular maintenance must be a SOP for you if you want to keep
your jeep running properly. If you have a BB or small lift without
new arms then the bushings on the stock arms could be binding
as well (which is know for causing an intermitant 'cluncking' sound)
retorque and then grease your front end, then get back to us.
HTH

btw, this is exactly how I learned what to do under there.

jeepofun · 02-21-2003, 03:52 PM

I had a sound like that in my rear diff whenever I made a right hand turn, and it turned out to be a bunk spider gear, it was under warranty though and was replaced for free so if you still have that option you definately want to exercise it before things get really bad.

**Jerry Bransford** · 02-21-2003, 03:55 PM

One more item to check that commonly causes 'clunks and bumps' is the track bar. That's the part that connects the axle to the frame via that heavy steel tube that mounts at the passenger-side of the axle and the driver's side of the frame. This is not the one that goes to the steering (Pitman) arm.

The passenger-side bolt and nut can be tight enough to feel tight, but not tight enough to prevent clunking as the steering wheel is turned left or right. REALLY tightening that passenger-side nut and bolt down may take care of the noise you hear.

Though the above suggestions like to check for a loose anti-swaybar link are all very good too.

mrmagoo1 · 02-21-2003, 08:07 PM

Check the bolts on your transfer case skid. Mine were loose(damn nutserts) it allowed the the whole works to shift just enough to make a clunk under my feet.