Johnny Joint Clunk / Front End Clunk
- Thread starter MaximusLJR06
- Start date
I can but it will be on Sunday this weekend more than likely. I’ll keep the thread updated as I get time to work on it.
Got a GoPro? If so, just attach it to some of the things you suspect it is and start recording. I had a clunk one time and it was a loose upper shock nut. Never would have guessed it until I started recording. The fact you can "reproduce" the sound should make this somewhat of a simple way to diagnose. Just a thought.
I don’t have one but my step dad does. I’ll have to see if he’ll let me borrow it.
Any suggesting a on how to attach it to different parts? I think he only has a harness to wear it like a headlamp.
Read through the first post and I am going through the exact same thing right now. My jj's were used and I have yet to service them but they all seem fine. My clunk comes from a left hand turn at a slower pace as well. Going to dig around this weekend and will let you know if I come up with anything.
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Left hand turns were when I would usually notice it as well. I’m almost 99% sure it’s coming from the left front area of the jeep. Lately it seems to be doing it whenever but it definitely was first noticeable on left hand, slow turns with a bump.
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Ordered a magnetic mount last night, should have it by tomorrow. Going to try and do the gopro thing on sunday as well.
This sounds crazy, but I chased a clunk similar to this for months. Replaced everything from track bars to full steering to control arms. Checked ball joints and unit bearings. Thought maybe at one point it was my spring catching on the perch. Turns out my battery was sliding back and forth ever so slightly going around turns and clunking against the walls of the tray lol. Just something to check.
I feel a little stupid throwing this out, but my jack rocking in the mount and clunking took a couple days to diagnose. So…yea.
I get that. @SkylinesSuck made a good point with the battery. I did change my battery out last year at christmas. If my memory services me right, the clunk was there before the battery change, but I'm intrigued to check the battery out this weekend.
Had some time this evening to check a couple items. @SkylinesSuck below is my battery hold down… broken. Luckily I had a replacement and fixed it, but that still didn’t fix the clunk sadly.
I also fully disconnected my front sway bar to rule that out and the clunk is still there with the sway bar disconnected.
Also tried messing around with getting it to clunk in my driveway. Noticed if I am creeping forward and stand on the brakes hard, jeep stops and no noise. If I throw it in reverse and start backing up and then slam on the brakes, the jeep stops but you can physically feel something in the front end shifting.
Tomorrow I’m going to grab my stepdads GoPro and see if I can get anything on video. Picked up a magnetic mount for it, hopefully that’s all I’ll need.
I also fully disconnected my front sway bar to rule that out and the clunk is still there with the sway bar disconnected.
Also tried messing around with getting it to clunk in my driveway. Noticed if I am creeping forward and stand on the brakes hard, jeep stops and no noise. If I throw it in reverse and start backing up and then slam on the brakes, the jeep stops but you can physically feel something in the front end shifting.
Tomorrow I’m going to grab my stepdads GoPro and see if I can get anything on video. Picked up a magnetic mount for it, hopefully that’s all I’ll need.
Not recently. I tried checking myself maybe 8-12 months ago and then I had my mechanic check them about 6 months ago and they said they are good to go. They were replaced 2 years ago before a road trip and have maybe 10k miles on.
I’ve got an identical clunk going on. I’m 99% sure it is a JJ on my front passenger control arm.
I’ve got a rebuild kit ordered and will update this thread when I swap it in.
I’ve got a rebuild kit ordered and will update this thread when I swap it in.