Hammer? Griddle? Donald? You’re gonna have to tell us which Mc it is!
05 Flame Red TJ Build
- Thread starter JMT
- Start date
Hammer? Griddle? Donald? You’re gonna have to tell us which Mc it is!
I doubt it is ujoints as they usually show up as either a squeak or a steering pulsation when turning at slow speed. A knock is typically a loose bushing or loose bolt allowing a bushing sleeve or rod end to pop.
Or a crappy MC rod end.
Or a crappy MC rod end.
I went over all the shock bolts and re-torqued them. I tightened the u-joints an 1/8th" of a turn due to very small amount of vertical play. Checked the tie rod ends. Re-torqued the trackbar bolts on each end (120ft.lbs on the axle side, 150ft lbs at the frame). Rebuilt the front CA's. I do keep looking at that heim on the TB and wondering. I could remove the front drive shafts and see if the sound goes away. That's one way to check those ujoints. If it doesn't go away I assume it's that heim on the MC trackbar. Open to any other suggestions for testing.
EDIT: I also have a JKS front trackbar that is for the TJR and I checked to see if I could swap it in but it doesn't have the big bolt on the frame side that I now have due to MC's requirement that you drill out the mount.
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I wish it was Hammer. Definitely some problems with that MC
p.s. remember parachute pants? I wonder if they will ever come back. People are crazy.
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I went over all the shock bolts and re-torqued them. I tightened the u-joints an 1/8th" of a turn due to very small amount of vertical play. Checked the tie rod ends. Re-torqued the trackbar bolts on each end (120ft.lbs on the axle side, 150ft lbs at the frame). Rebuilt the front CA's. I do keep looking at that heim on the TB and wondering. I could remove the front drive shafts and see if the sound goes away. That's one way to check those ujoints. If it doesn't go away I assume it's that heim on the MC trackbar. Open to any other suggestions for testing.
EDIT: I also have a JKS front trackbar that is for the TJR and I checked to see if I could swap it in but it doesn't have the big bolt on the frame side that I now have due to MC's requirement that you drill out the mount.
Hose the rod end down with PB Blaster or the like and see if the sound changes at all. A very aggressive dry steer test might help you see it too.
That didn’t helped, but while I was there I tried to rotate my drag link and I saw it rotate in the collar on the damper side. It also caused the end of the TR to hit the mount. Fixed that. Greased the TR ends. It’s better, but still an occasional knock. Befuddles me.
I was paying closer attention today and it’s like the suspension has to drop, but it’s not consistent. Even in the turns it seemed like a seam had to be in the road (pun intended).
I’m going to try to jump on the bumper and repeat.
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Well, my son and I jumped on all three TJ front bumpers looking for uniquenesses/differences. Most play relates to the sway bar joints. Side to side, up and down, we couldn’t re-create the knock. Jumped on the rear bumper too. 
I’m going to check the axle shafts for any play where they attach to the pinion and TCase, though that doesn’t seem likely. I’ve already checked play at the slip joint. I may be OCD. I’ll find it.
I’m going to check the axle shafts for any play where they attach to the pinion and TCase, though that doesn’t seem likely. I’ve already checked play at the slip joint. I may be OCD. I’ll find it.
Well, my son and I jumped on all three TJ front bumpers looking for uniquenesses/differences. Most play relates to the sway bar joints. Side to side, up and down, we couldn’t re-create the knock. Jumped on the rear bumper too.
I’m going to check the axle shafts for any play where they attach to the pinion and TCase, though that doesn’t seem likely. I’ve already checked play at the slip joint. I may be OCD. I’ll find it.
Did you try pushing up on the bumper abruptly too? That's when I triggered my shock eye issue. I could bounce on it all day and it not care (since the shock load is ~200psi). Obviously this is moot if you can replicate it just by a static turning test.
Arghh… Nothing. Sucks bc the rig drives so well right now other than that one annoyance.
Arghh… Nothing. Sucks bc the rig drives so well right now other than that one annoyance.
Now you know why the most important tech at a dealership is the NVH guy.
You taught me something there.
You know, these knocks just come with the territory. I can identify with the idea of building for your environment in the sense of building so you’re not breaking crap. My problem, and probably others, is my 5 years in 3 states wheeling experience and 3 TJ’s is too small. Hopefully it will grow the next 5 years.
I appreciate all the help/suggestions. I will keep looking. I’m tempted to just start changing parts, but I know that’s not the answer. I can test the u joints in the axles.
You taught me something there.
You know, these knocks just come with the territory. I can identify with the idea of building for your environment in the sense of building so you’re not breaking crap. My problem, and probably others, is my 5 years in 3 states wheeling experience and 3 TJ’s is too small. Hopefully it will grow the next 5 years.
I appreciate all the help/suggestions. I will keep looking. I’m tempted to just start changing parts, but I know that’s not the answer. I can test the u joints in the axles.
Be happy you don't drive an SE. And please don't fire up the parts cannon we can get this diagnosed.
And just remember if you are building for the 90% the recipe is basic and straight forward.
In all the times I worked at a dealership only one place had a GOOD NVH guy. And he was paid well for it, but he was worth every dime. And this was 15-20 years ago before they had the technology they have now.
I miss my SE some days. They get a bad rep IMO.
MountaineerTom
LJ Enthusiast, Retired USAF Weapons Loader
Supporting Member
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Maybe a far stretch, but I had something similar that I thought was front axle U-joints. Replaced them and still had the noise. I ended up finding a couple of the screws/nuts that hold my savvy engine skid to my OEM transfer skid had become a little loose. Tightened them up and the noise went away.
Mine was a pop sound when taking off and turning, like out of a parking spot. It didn’t happen (that I could hear) when just driving and turning.
Well, found the knock, I’m just not sure where it came from. I went over every bolt underneath and must’ve got it. There were some that were loose like some of the body mount bolts needed a turn.
In the process I realize I have a lot of play in my front driveshaft all coming from the splines. Looks like it’s time for a Woody.
I went over every bolt underneath and must’ve got it. There were some that were loose like some of the body mount bolts needed a turn.In the process I realize I have a lot of play in my front driveshaft all coming from the splines. Looks like it’s time for a Woody.
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I can't read font that small. Did you say Metalcloak?
STOP
! You’re defeating my purpose.
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