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Quadra Lift Off-Road II Height Banging Noise - Normal?

14K views 11 replies 9 participants last post by  Da Jeeper 
#1 ·
Hi,

We have a 2015 GC Ecodiesel with the QL ORAII package. We recently tried the QL ORII height (maximum lift) last week in 4x4 low and high range, and it sounded like the suspension was reaching the maximum travel limits repeatedly on bumps, ruts and obstructions, all at low speeds. These bumps and ruts were not extreme at all, and were mostly in soft sand on the beach. The suspension made a loud banging noise each time that it seemed to bounce on the ruts or bumps. The banging seemed to come from the wheel area, leading me to believe that perhaps the air shocks were reaching the max limit. I was very reluctant to increase my speed because I feared causing damage, it was that noticeable and objectionable.

For those of you who have operated off road in the QL ORII max height, does that sound normal, or should this go to the dealer for inspection/repair?

Thanks

Bluegrass Picker
 
#2 · (Edited)
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#3 ·
#4 ·
You should take it to the dealer...they won't do anything and they will tell you it is normal, but it is not...The noise you hear is the shock limiting out internally, not the airbag rebounding...It creates a "Hammer" that will cause premature mechanical and electrical problems, as well as body and interior rattles. It will definitely crack or break shock and frame mounts if you use it very much. At about 10k miles, it actually caused the suspension cross arm bolts to loosen and allowed the front end out of alignment. This could have resulted in a deadly crash. Their solution was to grease the bolts so the impact wouldn't cause them to loosen as easily.

This is a terrible design that Jeep is aware of and expects us to accept. Had they demonstrated this flaw at the point of sale I would have purchased something else. Hopefully if enough people express strong dissatisfaction they will design a fix...
 
#7 · (Edited)
It's not a flaw. It's unrealistic expectations. The ORII setting is not meant for normal driving conditions. It's meant for low speed off roading where maximum ground clearance is needed. If you are in ORII that banging is normal and to be expected. Your suspension is maxed out at this point... there's not much suspension articulation left at that height.

Seriously... if you're offroading that hard with it to the point of loosening suspension components then you should address your off road driving style and/or buy a vehicle better suited for the purpose.
 
#5 ·
Yes, my 2015 Overland makes a very hard sound in QLII. I was driving in mud and everytime I bottomed out, there was a real thud. I actually got out thinking I had broken a rim or broken the suspension. I thought I was hitting some kind of bumper stop, not very reassuring it is the shock making that noise. Is this to say that the shock is not going to be a long term problem if not driving a lot in QLII?
 
#8 ·
An independent system will lose downward travel as ride height is increased... that's a given. However the mechanical noise referred to doesn't actually have to occur upon topping out. Other independent systems do not reach their limit of travel as harshly, so whilst it may be normal on the Grand it is actually not unavoidable by design.

Cheers,
Steve
 
#9 ·
The noises sound reasonable and like what I experienced with my hemi Overland w/ ORA2. The independent suspension just doesn't have any flex left when it's in ORII, hence the initially disconcerting crashing/clunking. Back in 1998 or so I had a 1995 Range Rover for a brief while--now that thing crashed and clunked when its air suspension was raised.

Best way to fix the off road ride? Air down the tires.


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#11 ·
I'd say 15 psi front and rear. It'll help immensely. And no real danger of popping a bead on a tire unless you're doing something crazy. "Serious" off-roaders do this is a matter of course, fwiw.
make sure not to forget to air back up when you get back on pavement, it won't hurt anything in the short term but if you let it go for too long (100+ miles?) you'll wear your tires funny.


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