Help Identifying suspension issue - North American Grand Cherokee Association

hombrerojo · 06-25-2012, 10:46 AM

Hello...

I just went out for lunch and after going over some railroad tracks, something came out of place (i heard and somewhat felt a knock), or out of whack anyway, on my 2000 WJ (4.7 Budget Boost 2" lift) front end. As I proceeded, there was a bit of a repetitive light knock coming from the right front suspension area. As I turn the wheel to the left, its gets a lot worse, all the way to the opposite side, nothing much really happens, seems to be normal. I cannot see anything visibly wrong. I have not been able to really get under it as it has been raining pretty hard around here but looking in through the wheel well with the wheels turned all the way in one direction or another does not give me any insight into anything that could be wrong or lose. I know the coils are a bit warped (just a little that I can see) but they have been so for a little while now.

Can anyone advise what I can start looking at based on my description above? I do not want to drive it until i can figure out what is wrong with it and take it from there.

Thanks!!!!

hombrerojo · 06-26-2012, 10:07 AM

To add to the above, before this knocking occurred, I went through a very big puddle for the fun of it.

Any ideas?

BlackDiamondBound · 06-26-2012, 11:37 AM

could be the disc brake dust shield got bent going threw the puddle and the bent side is scraping when you turn. but that would make more of a skreeching scraping noise then a knocking noise. Is the noise random or does it increase with tire speed?

johnsjeep · 06-26-2012, 05:23 PM

If it is rotational it could be a bearing or cv joint. Also check your sway bar end link on that side.

hombrerojo · 06-30-2012, 02:11 PM

So I replaced the right front CV axle shaft and the bearing hub assembly but I still get the same thumps, clacks and grinding. The vibrations and noises are coming from the right front. I have checked the sway bar, which I did upgrade a while back, and nothing seems out of whack. The driveshafts seem fine as well.

What else can this be? I suppose I can take a look/swap the left hand side CV axle and bearing but I think I will be wasting my time.

To further elaborate on the symptoms. Generally, heading in a straight line or turning to the right mostly eliminates noises or vibrations. Going over bumps, it is accentuated, and turning left makes if pretty bad. It does seem to be aggravated by light throttling, but, when I did put it into Neutral and the jeep was rolling, I could still hear and feel some of this. Finally, I was able to continue to hear it when I was fully stopped for a little while also but it wasn't enough time for my buddy to jump out and try to locate the exact location of the noise.

Any further help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

hombrerojo · 07-02-2012, 04:42 AM

bump

Utah_ZJ · 07-02-2012, 11:28 AM

Hot brakes+cold puddles can sometimes cause a warped brake rotor, take a look to rule it out and avoid such behavior in the future.

hombrerojo · 07-02-2012, 11:55 AM

Brake rotors are brand new, checked it while I changed axle shaft and bearing assembly, it was in perfect shape. Jeep was cold, had not been on or driving for more than one minute when this occurred.

"avoid such behavior in the future" - I could have sworn Jeeps were designed take on a puddle!

Any other ideas anyone?

hombrerojo · 07-02-2012, 03:34 PM

I've been fiddling around with the Jeep, swapped front tires to see if that had any effect but It did not. I did put it into 4LO though and while it pretty much kept up with the noises and vibrations, when I had the wheel fully locked to the left, the from passenger wheel was kind of locking to the point where the tire would chirp against the asphalt. Could that be an indicator at all?

Utah_ZJ · 07-02-2012, 10:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hombrerojo

I've been fiddling around with the Jeep, swapped front tires to see if that had any effect but It did not. I did put it into 4LO though and while it pretty much kept up with the noises and vibrations, when I had the wheel fully locked to the left, the from passenger wheel was kind of locking to the point where the tire would chirp against the asphalt. Could that be an indicator at all?

This was likely your tire rubbing the control arm causing the tire to lock up, a great way to bust an axle or u-joint.

06-25-2012, 10:46 AM	#1
hombrerojo Junior Member Grand Rookie Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 14	Help Identifying suspension issue Hello... I just went out for lunch and after going over some railroad tracks, something came out of place (i heard and somewhat felt a knock), or out of whack anyway, on my 2000 WJ (4.7 Budget Boost 2" lift) front end. As I proceeded, there was a bit of a repetitive light knock coming from the right front suspension area. As I turn the wheel to the left, its gets a lot worse, all the way to the opposite side, nothing much really happens, seems to be normal. I cannot see anything visibly wrong. I have not been able to really get under it as it has been raining pretty hard around here but looking in through the wheel well with the wheels turned all the way in one direction or another does not give me any insight into anything that could be wrong or lose. I know the coils are a bit warped (just a little that I can see) but they have been so for a little while now. Can anyone advise what I can start looking at based on my description above? I do not want to drive it until i can figure out what is wrong with it and take it from there. Thanks!!!!

06-26-2012, 05:23 PM	#4
johnsjeep Senior Member Grand Junkie Join Date: May 2011 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 298	If it is rotational it could be a bearing or cv joint. Also check your sway bar end link on that side. __________________ 1999 WJ 4.7L, LED switch-backs, 55w HID fogs and low beams, BFG Roof rack, 20% tint, RC dual steering stabilizer, 4" RC + 2" BB, 32's + more Build thread http://www.nagca.com/forum/showthread.php?t=45630

06-30-2012, 02:11 PM	#5
hombrerojo Junior Member Grand Rookie Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 14	So I replaced the right front CV axle shaft and the bearing hub assembly but I still get the same thumps, clacks and grinding. The vibrations and noises are coming from the right front. I have checked the sway bar, which I did upgrade a while back, and nothing seems out of whack. The driveshafts seem fine as well. What else can this be? I suppose I can take a look/swap the left hand side CV axle and bearing but I think I will be wasting my time. To further elaborate on the symptoms. Generally, heading in a straight line or turning to the right mostly eliminates noises or vibrations. Going over bumps, it is accentuated, and turning left makes if pretty bad. It does seem to be aggravated by light throttling, but, when I did put it into Neutral and the jeep was rolling, I could still hear and feel some of this. Finally, I was able to continue to hear it when I was fully stopped for a little while also but it wasn't enough time for my buddy to jump out and try to locate the exact location of the noise. Any further help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks! Last edited by hombrerojo; 06-30-2012 at 02:14 PM.

07-02-2012, 11:28 AM	#7
Utah_ZJ Senior Member Grand Master Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Land of the Lost, Utah Posts: 1,349	Hot brakes+cold puddles can sometimes cause a warped brake rotor, take a look to rule it out and avoid such behavior in the future. __________________ Just a couple of Jeeps.... If I were that cheap I wouldn't be driving a Jeep!

07-02-2012, 03:34 PM	#9
hombrerojo Junior Member Grand Rookie Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 14	I've been fiddling around with the Jeep, swapped front tires to see if that had any effect but It did not. I did put it into 4LO though and while it pretty much kept up with the noises and vibrations, when I had the wheel fully locked to the left, the from passenger wheel was kind of locking to the point where the tire would chirp against the asphalt. Could that be an indicator at all? Last edited by hombrerojo; 07-02-2012 at 03:50 PM.

06-26-2012, 10:07 AM	#2
hombrerojo Junior Member Grand Rookie Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 14	To add to the above, before this knocking occurred, I went through a very big puddle for the fun of it. Any ideas?

06-26-2012, 11:37 AM	#3
BlackDiamondBound Senior Member Grand Master Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 1,272	could be the disc brake dust shield got bent going threw the puddle and the bent side is scraping when you turn. but that would make more of a skreeching scraping noise then a knocking noise. Is the noise random or does it increase with tire speed?

07-02-2012, 04:42 AM	#6
hombrerojo Junior Member Grand Rookie Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 14	bump

07-02-2012, 11:55 AM	#8
hombrerojo Junior Member Grand Rookie Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 14	Brake rotors are brand new, checked it while I changed axle shaft and bearing assembly, it was in perfect shape. Jeep was cold, had not been on or driving for more than one minute when this occurred. "avoid such behavior in the future" - I could have sworn Jeeps were designed take on a puddle! Any other ideas anyone?

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