Clunk noise and steering wheel off center

[adventureboss]

Hi y'all,

I'd posted a thread about this earlier but wasn't able to figure anything out, so I'm back. Basically, if I turned the wheel hard to almost full lock in either direction (moving or not), I get a single loud pop, like something was binding and then let go.

I tried shaking the wheels, using a pry bar and prying at joints to see if there was any play like you guys had suggested, and found nothing. I also tried to get a video while I had a friend turn the wheel and then of course it just wouldn't make the clunking sound. I even tried greasing all the 7 zerk fittings but no luck.

One thing I did notice yesterday however, when I make a hard turn and hear that pop, the steering goes off center slightly to the left. Sits at almost the 11 o'clock position while driving straight. Eventually, when it pops again, it seems like it goes back to normal.

So what could this be? I tried tightening the tie rod ends last night but that didn't help. Maybe I didn't tighten them enough? Should I maybe just have an alignment done first?

 

[macleanflood]

Look up dry steering test.

-Mac

 

[adventureboss]

Look up dry steering test.

-Mac

I did that and didn't see anything out of the norm. Maybe I'll try again.

 

[macleanflood]

Could be a u joint?

-Mac

 

[adventureboss]

Could be a u joint?

-Mac

Gave the U joints a couple prys with a prybar and no play, I don't think so. Though they are definitely getting up there in age. I think I'm going to try an alignment just because I have Firestone's lifetime free alignment plan and I'll come back here and update. Seems like the path of least resistance.

 

[squirrelmaster]

What kind of shape is your trackbar in? I just rebuilt my JKS track bar because the frame-side bushing was shot and letting the axle shift in a fashion similar to what you are describing (it was also a bit sketchy to drive because of it).

 

[LONGJP2]

I did that and didn't see anything out of the norm. Maybe I'll try again.

In addition to that, did you turn it lock to lock while watching.

 

[KelvinP]

Hi y'all,

I'd posted a thread about this earlier but wasn't able to figure anything out, so I'm back. Basically, if I turned the wheel hard to almost full lock in either direction (moving or not), I get a single loud pop, like something was binding and then let go.

I tried shaking the wheels, using a pry bar and prying at joints to see if there was any play like you guys had suggested, and found nothing. I also tried to get a video while I had a friend turn the wheel and then of course it just wouldn't make the clunking sound. I even tried greasing all the 7 zerk fittings but no luck.

One thing I did notice yesterday however, when I make a hard turn and hear that pop, the steering goes off center slightly to the left. Sits at almost the 11 o'clock position while driving straight. Eventually, when it pops again, it seems like it goes back to normal.

So what could this be? I tried tightening the tie rod ends last night but that didn't help. Maybe I didn't tighten them enough? Should I maybe just have an alignment done first?

Did you figure this out? I seem to have the same issue on my Grand Cherokee WK. It's just had an MOT (UK annual inspection) which didn't detect any play in any steering or suspension components. It usually happens on a full lock turn into a parking space but I've also experienced it in a tight turn where it felt like the outside wheel stepped out. I've also noticed the steering wheel alignment issue you describe which corrects itself the next time the pop occurs.
Grateful for any feedback that might point to where to look.

 

[KelvinP]

Did you figure this out? I seem to have the same issue on my Grand Cherokee WK. It's just had an MOT (UK annual inspection) which didn't detect any play in any steering or suspension components. It usually happens on a full lock turn into a parking space but I've also experienced it in a tight turn where it felt like the outside wheel stepped out. I've also noticed the steering wheel alignment issue you describe which corrects itself the next time the pop occurs.
Grateful for any feedback that might point to where to look.

In case anyone stumbles on this thread with a similar problem I solved the issue on my GK. The ball joint on the lower suspension arm had vertical play, replacing the suspension arm has resolved the issue. This should have been picked up at the MOT inspection as the other side was 2 years ago but I had no symptoms when the other side failed so didn't consider it.

 

[adventureboss]

In case anyone stumbles on this thread with a similar problem I solved the issue on my GK. The ball joint on the lower suspension arm had vertical play, replacing the suspension arm has resolved the issue. This should have been picked up at the MOT inspection as the other side was 2 years ago but I had no symptoms when the other side failed so didn't consider it.

Thanks for updating! I meant to respond but it slipped my mind. I never figured it out, it happens so occasionally that I’ve just lived with it. I’ll check out my suspension arm