I have a 2004 TJ that I purchased about 6 months ago. It had been sitting for at least a year covered in a driveway. I have been slowly working off the issues one by one! The Jeep has a lift kit installed with grey beefy links, but had been sitting. When I start out hard with the throttle I will sometimes get a popping sound, and I believe it is the link (or links) sticking (as one of them is right under the gas/brake pedal). Can these links be lubricated without destroying the bushings? Maybe with spray silicone? TIA!
Lift Kit Suspension Links
- Thread starter Skyhawk
- Start date
Have you made sure the jam nut is tight?
I cant tell if one end is a JJ? Or both? Or both bushings? If so what material bushings? I would be hesitant to spray a bunch of crap on there that could possibly attract more dirt and you are back to the same problem
I cant tell if one end is a JJ? Or both? Or both bushings? If so what material bushings? I would be hesitant to spray a bunch of crap on there that could possibly attract more dirt and you are back to the same problem
I think most would tell you to ditch the poly bushings all together but ill let them chime in.
How tight is the jam nut? Control arm bolts torqued to spec?
I am not really sure. I will have to check the torques this weekend when I get it home to my garage and I can roll under it. I will say this though, it rides terrible. I had a 4 wheel alignment done and the wheels balanced, that helped with the drivability/steerability. Maybe someone will recognize the link type and color and know the manufacturer. No decals on the links or the matching grey/silver shocks. They sort of did a half-ass job on the whole jeep. I am getting it tightened up, but sometimes this dam thing has me scratching my head!
A popping sound means something is moving that shouldn't.
Spraying it would only help it move easier.
You need to find what's loose and tighten it.
Maybe u-joints?
Can you take more pictures of the links and the ends? Silver is common of Rubicon Express but those don't look like the right silver or the right end links for RE.
I had a similar issue when I first got my TJ.
Turned out to be one arm loose by around 30ft/lb, and was moving literally 1mm or so.
But it was tight enough that it presented itself as that "popping" noise you're describing.
also, check your track-bar mount as well.
It will present itself as a popping noise, and does encounter some movement throughout the torque transfer when you hit the gas.
Torque them all to spec:
Lower front control arms, axle bracket = 85 ft-lb.
Lower front control arms, frame bracket = 130 ft-lb.
Upper front control arms, axle bracket = 55 ft-lb.
Upper front control arms, frame bracket = 55 ft-lb.
Front trackbar, axle bracket = 55 ft-lb.
Front trackbar, frame ball joint = 65 ft-lb.
Lower rear control arms, axle bracket = 130 ft-lb.
Lower rear control arms, frame bracket = 130 ft-lb.
Upper rear control arms, axle bracket = 55 ft-lb.
Upper rear control arms, frame bracket = 55 ft-lb.
Rear trackbar, axle bracket = 74 ft-lb.
Rear trackbar, frame bracket = 74 ft-lb.
They're NOT RE, unless they're a very worn set.
I just got a set of RE Uppers shipped to my door 40 minutes ago.
They're silver (like aluminum color), not dark gray.
Turned out to be one arm loose by around 30ft/lb, and was moving literally 1mm or so.
But it was tight enough that it presented itself as that "popping" noise you're describing.
also, check your track-bar mount as well.
It will present itself as a popping noise, and does encounter some movement throughout the torque transfer when you hit the gas.
Torque them all to spec:
Lower front control arms, axle bracket = 85 ft-lb.
Lower front control arms, frame bracket = 130 ft-lb.
Upper front control arms, axle bracket = 55 ft-lb.
Upper front control arms, frame bracket = 55 ft-lb.
Front trackbar, axle bracket = 55 ft-lb.
Front trackbar, frame ball joint = 65 ft-lb.
Lower rear control arms, axle bracket = 130 ft-lb.
Lower rear control arms, frame bracket = 130 ft-lb.
Upper rear control arms, axle bracket = 55 ft-lb.
Upper rear control arms, frame bracket = 55 ft-lb.
Rear trackbar, axle bracket = 74 ft-lb.
Rear trackbar, frame bracket = 74 ft-lb.
My initial thoughts.
They're NOT RE, unless they're a very worn set.
I just got a set of RE Uppers shipped to my door 40 minutes ago.
They're silver (like aluminum color), not dark gray.
Great information. I will try to get under it this weekend and check all of the torques and the items you mentioned, and get a few more pictures. It is suppose to be heavy rain or snow on Saturday into Sunday here in Virginia so it might be a few days before I get this all checked out! (I have a TJ X) Tire pressures are right on the money.
Also just to note, in the event that you don't already know
TJ's usually ride SIGNIFICANTLY better, at lower pressures.
NOT what the door sticker or tire manufacturers recommend.
For example, I run 26psi on the street for the best ride/wear.
OK, my tires leaked for a bit until I replaced a valve core and tightened the others. They settled in and I have about 4000 miles on them running 33x12.5 at 36 psi. They have now dropped to about 34 psi with the temps. They are new old tires. Some tread weather checking, BF Goodrich mud and snow old style, and the new tire nubs are just wearing off... Too high for hiway traffic? Jeep was sitting for a while at prior owners...
Yes, too high. Not saying that is where all of your problems are coming from, but like Zach said, 26 psi will improve your ride quality for sure.
My TJ drove like an actual horse and buggy at 34psi.
It rides smooth now at 26.
I would 100% drop them down to the 26-28psi range, and see how it feels.
I will do that tomorrow. I will start with 28 psi to see how that feels.
It does ride like a horse and buggy. I get a lot of lateral rocking and banging around.... sort of like riding on a hay wagon across a plowed field (at highway speeds).
It does ride like a horse and buggy. I get a lot of lateral rocking and banging around.... sort of like riding on a hay wagon across a plowed field (at highway speeds).
I also had an issue with the transmission skid plate loose. I tightened it up yesterday, drivers side was way loose. I snugged it up yesterday and it really cut down on alot of engine vibrations. I need to torque that this weekend as well. Torque?
I think it was 55 ft/lb. Don't over tighten them! The nutserts are notorious for breaking loose. @mrblaine sells replacements and the tool on the Black Magic Brakes website when (not if) you need to replace some.
I like it too! This little truck has been working me hard. I put the new top on it. That took me a day. I purchased the truck from the prior owner, it was broken in to. Top slashed, spare tire slashed. I replaced the spare tire as well. This Jeep gave me fits for a few weeks with the mini-cats and loose exhaust and tripping CEL. All better now. Who ever mentioned check for loose exhaust was spot on! Also put in a new Kenwood stereo. Slowly getting it whipped into shape. Going to replace transmission lines this spring. Replacing the fuel cap was also important getting rid of CEL.
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