Popping / clanking sound?

[tsetsefly1]

I heard this sound for the first time a week ago and intermittently over the next week. It's tough to describe but it's almost like a metallic pop (just one) when accelerating from a stop at a medium pace. I don't hear it if I'm completely stopped and start slowly, and it seems to make this noise more so when turning left, but it does happen when going straight or right. This noise also does not happen unless at a full stop, if I roll through a stop sign or slow down to almost a stop and accelerate there is no noise.

I can't feel it in the steering wheel or on the floor of the jeep, and it sounds like it's coming from the suspension possibly? Any suggestions on what to look at or look for underneath for a solution? This rig does have a 4 inch Rubicon Express lift, everything seems to be done correctly to my limited knowledge.

 

[Chris]

Hmmm, if it were me I might put it on jack stands, then have someone get in it, start it, and give it throttle slowly while I lay under it and look / listen for noises.

This would be very telling.

 

[cpwolf]

I would agree with Chris unless you have a GoPro you can strap under there and take some videos at different angles. See if someone else can drive, you stand next to it, it may help you get an idea of front or rear, get on the ground maybe next to it when they take off you may get a good hint.

I start with the easiest solution, if you have bigger tires, they will balance them with stuck on weights. If they come loose, they will slap and make a noise. Had that on my 35’s and got them rotated at Discount Tire and new weights fixed.

On My F150, had a clack, and a screw was out of the center cap on my Fuel rims, $2 screw and it was fixed.

If nothing is loose on your tires/wheels,
I would look at control arm mount locations first, maybe sway bar. If it’s not doing it when slowly starting, and is when getting on it more, I’d see if it seems even more pronounced when you get on the throttle (relative for a Jeep, ha) hard out of the shoot.

Torque from wheels turning would pull on those, it did on my TJ when the CA bushings we’re toast. I’d make sure every bolt in the suspension is tight.

Also, I’d look at the U joints/drive shaft, if something has play, might snap into place when you get on it, and slowly pull into place if you don’t.

 

[tsetsefly1]

I would agree with Chris unless you have a GoPro you can strap under there and take some videos at different angles. See if someone else can drive, you stand next to it, it may help you get an idea of front or rear, get on the ground maybe next to it when they take off you may get a good hint.

I start with the easiest solution, if you have bigger tires, they will balance them with stuck on weights. If they come loose, they will slap and make a noise. Had that on my 35’s and got them rotated at Discount Tire and new weights fixed.

On My F150, had a clack, and a screw was out of the center cap on my Fuel rims, $2 screw and it was fixed.

If nothing is loose on your tires/wheels,
I would look at control arm mount locations first, maybe sway bar. If it’s not doing it when slowly starting, and is when getting on it more, I’d see if it seems even more pronounced when you get on the throttle (relative for a Jeep, ha) hard out of the shoot.

Torque from wheels turning would pull on those, it did on my TJ when the CA bushings we’re toast. I’d make sure every bolt in the suspension is tight.

Also, I’d look at the U joints/drive shaft, if something has play, might snap into place when you get on it, and slowly pull into place if you don’t.

Thanks - great info. I'll look into it this weekend. I'm hoping for a simple weight solution or something, but we'll see... : )

 

[franka548]

Check motor mounts and trans mount also
Frank

 

[tsetsefly1]

so my drag link is loose. It moves, I'd say ..... About 5 degrees either way. I can twist it, it doesn't move side to side. Is this normal?

 

[cpwolf]

There are ball joints on both ends, so yes you can move roll it on the joint (Cheech & Chong would snicker at that).

If it seems excessive, I can't tell by description. If it seems overly to you, it may be worth getting a torque wrench and making sure all your ball joints are torqued to spec on the knuckle and pitman arm ends. If you're doing it, I'd check all of them personally.

 

[ncfitton]

First remove all the tools and jack from your storage tray in the rear end and see if the noise goes away.

 

[WIJeeper]

My rear bumper was rubbing on the tub body when going over bumps driving me crazy.