clunking from front end

TJxcore · 11-27-2004, 09:16 PM

taking off from a stop i'll get a pretty bad clunking from the front end.. any ideas on what to check for?

**BigWaylon** · 11-27-2004, 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TJxcore

taking off from a stop i'll get a pretty bad clunking from the front end.. any ideas on what to check for?

Is it a single "clunk" each time you start?

Is that the only time you hear it? Or do you also hear it when turning? Or when stopping?

Greg

kpatrick · 11-27-2004, 09:38 PM

I get a "loose" jumbling sound when I turn sharply out of my front end. The dealer tech told me that was common. I don't know what would cause it....maybe the ring and pinion has some extra freeplay? Have you checked your u-joints on the front or maybe a loose yolk? Check your front driveshaft to see if there is any extra slop somewhere from the transfer case to the front dif. If that's not it, I would check your suspension to make sure nothing is loose.

**BigWaylon** · 11-27-2004, 09:48 PM

also...check your sway bar links...that's where the big clunking from my '99 was this weekend...

spent about 20 minutes in a friend's driveway...him laying on a creeper, with one hand on the bumper and one hand on various parts, as I went forward/reverse/forward/reverse/etc/etc until he could actually "feel" the clunk...

brave soul, he is...

Greg

ncb76 · 11-27-2004, 10:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigWaylon

also...check your sway bar links...that's where the big clunking from my '99 was this weekend...

spent about 20 minutes in a friend's driveway...him laying on a creeper, with one hand on the bumper and one hand on various parts, as I went forward/reverse/forward/reverse/etc/etc until he could actually "feel" the clunk...

brave soul, he is...

Greg

I'd definitely look at the sway bar links. When mine first went out, it took me a while to figure out where the mysterious clunking was coming from. It isn't all that obvious while the Jeep is just sitting there. You can rock it back and forth a few times and keep an eye on the links to see if one is broken.

gravelled · 11-28-2004, 01:39 AM

You're in the same boat as A LOT of TJ owners...about 1 in 4........
If you have not modified your suspension and/or drive train, then your clunking noise is just like mine as well as 25% of other TJ owners...

If you get a clunk when engaging 1st gear from a stop (especially in reverse), or throwing it into a higher gear with some gusto when your ride is not travelling very fast, you are like me, and many others in that YOUR JEEP DEALERSHIP mechanics managers have been trained to minimize

1. That the problem is OK, because your particular TJ has acceptable "SLACK" in the drivetrain.

or

2. The problem is caused by "acceptable specifications" in the drivetrain.........also including that it's "your problem", although you don't see it that way...and why would anyone else because the problem occurs approximately every 1 in 4 owners.

or

And my favorite dealer-created excuse was:
3. You are the only TJ driver to complain about this in the last 5 years!!!!!!!

In a nutshell..........welcome to the club!!!!!!!!!!
If you are TO'd as much as me on this one, then do something about it because no one else will.

JP

11-27-2004, 09:38 PM	#3
kpatrick Registered User Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 242 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	I get a "loose" jumbling sound when I turn sharply out of my front end. The dealer tech told me that was common. I don't know what would cause it....maybe the ring and pinion has some extra freeplay? Have you checked your u-joints on the front or maybe a loose yolk? Check your front driveshaft to see if there is any extra slop somewhere from the transfer case to the front dif. If that's not it, I would check your suspension to make sure nothing is loose. __________________ 3rd time around with 2006 2.4L 6sp, warn bumpers front/rear, clean slate to work with-need ideas....

11-27-2004, 09:48 PM	#4
BigWaylon tubework is cool... Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 7,646 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	also...check your sway bar links...that's where the big clunking from my '99 was this weekend... spent about 20 minutes in a friend's driveway...him laying on a creeper, with one hand on the bumper and one hand on various parts, as I went forward/reverse/forward/reverse/etc/etc until he could actually "feel" the clunk... brave soul, he is... Greg __________________ 2001 TJ 60th Anniversary Edition (details in Profile) www.carolinarockshop.com All the pics I have...including a Table of Contents

11-28-2004, 01:39 AM	#6
gravelled Registered User Join Date: Oct 2001 Posts: 43 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	You're in the same boat as A LOT of TJ owners...about 1 in 4........ If you have not modified your suspension and/or drive train, then your clunking noise is just like mine as well as 25% of other TJ owners... If you get a clunk when engaging 1st gear from a stop (especially in reverse), or throwing it into a higher gear with some gusto when your ride is not travelling very fast, you are like me, and many others in that YOUR JEEP DEALERSHIP mechanics managers have been trained to minimize 1. That the problem is OK, because your particular TJ has acceptable "SLACK" in the drivetrain. or 2. The problem is caused by "acceptable specifications" in the drivetrain.........also including that it's "your problem", although you don't see it that way...and why would anyone else because the problem occurs approximately every 1 in 4 owners. or And my favorite dealer-created excuse was: 3. You are the only TJ driver to complain about this in the last 5 years!!!!!!! In a nutshell..........welcome to the club!!!!!!!!!! If you are TO'd as much as me on this one, then do something about it because no one else will. JP __________________ 2001 60th Anniv.Edition Black/Black Dana 30/44 3.73/BORLA/BLAHBLAHBLAH My 10 year old and I LOVE THIS JEEP!!!!!!!!!