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Clunk!

4K views 15 replies 5 participants last post by  01grand 
#1 · (Edited)
Ok, I'm going to be doing some work on the Jeep tonight. Step one will be installing my new eagle-eye tail lights, made possible by bill38jeep! Thanks again Bill they look great I can't wait to have them on the Jeep!

Second, in the last 2 days while going over bumps on the rear right side of the Jeep there has been a clunking sound. What should I be looking at? I was thinking for sure check the shock mounts, I have Bilstien shocks and have heard they sometimes clunk if not tightened properly. Any other ideas? I was also going to look at control arms and sway bar links, any other suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks! :thumbsup:
 
#3 ·
Sorry about that I thought I had put it in. I edited the original post to say REAR. I hope its not the ball joint but thanks for the suggestion, I will look at that also.
 
#5 ·
Yes, not that expensive, but a real PITA. I had to replace mine...I did the whole a-arm assembly and a new joint. The only other things I could think of that it could be are loose links, loose swaybar, or loose shocks. Maybe a broken spring...but that's doubtful. Also make sure you don't have anything flopping around in your spare tire well. :thumbsup:
 
#7 ·
Hey, stranger things have happened...that wrench or socket you threw in the back with the spare could be making the racket. Loose spare, who knows? I use my spare tire well to store all kinds of goodies inside the wheel cavity. Jumper cables, gloves, etc.

No, no particular reason to do the whole a-arm. I had a double fail on this project and ended up taking it in to have the parts replaced. I managed to do all kinds of lifts and mods to all my Jeeps, but this job got the better of me. I ordered the whole assembly because I thought it would be easier to do, mine was rusty, and I got new rubber with the a-arm. There was no way in hell I was getting that upper bolt off. No matter what I tried. So in it went. Hopefully the first and last time. Solved my clunking though!
 
#8 ·
And we have a winner! Sorry Tony but my junk was all secure in the trunk :p

I crawled under her tonight for a quick check, and sure enough I can wiggle around the upper control arm. Looks like the bushing on the drivers side is done for, the ball joint and passenger side seem tight. That said I think it would be worth it to replace them all as long as I have to pull the arm. Doesn't look like too bad of a job, but I will keep in mind the struggles you had Tony. Hopefully between my father and I we can get it taken care of.

Thanks everyone for your advice!
 
#9 ·
No one likes looseness in the trunk...ahhahahha

Good luck brother...start spraying that chit now with PB blaster...the longer that stuff soaks the less cursing you'll do later.

My biggest issue was that I couldn't get a decent wrench on at least 2 of the bolts holding that joint on. Just a knuckle-buster with like no clearance to swing it.
 
#10 · (Edited)
Ha thats my plan, spray it every day I am waiting for parts to be delivered!

I'm debating weather or not I should just do the bushings or do the ball joint too, but if that ball joint goes and I didin't I will be pissed. Lol just talked myself into doing it too.

Tony, Where did you get the parts?
 
#11 ·
4wdtruck.com had it the cheapest at the time. Here's what I paid:

52088422AB - Rear upper control arm $115.75
52088808AB - Rear upper control arm ball joint $39.22
 
#14 ·
Ok, well my Dad and I tackled the rear upper control arm and ball joint on the Jeep today. The bushings and ball joint were definitely worn, lots of play in the joint. Everything went great, the ball joint bolts busted loose pretty easy, just a little persuasion from a long knuckle buster. Only one problem, IT STILL CLUNKS! It got late so we didn't look into it further but I guess I still have some work to do. I know we got everything tight on the control arm, and the sway bar is fine. Back to the drawing board. :banghead:
 
#15 ·
Did you check the shock bolts? Some of the guys replace the original ones for a better type (don't have the specs right now) which prevents the noise.
 
#16 ·
Thanks Frank, I will have to check those again, we also have a power steering hose to replace soon.
 
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