Opinions on control arms...Metalcloak - Clayton - Rusty's

[Wheelin98TJ]

My .02. JJ’s are great for intense stuff. But I do not recommend them for a vehicle that is any more than a fun or dedicated trail rig. I have rock jock JJ’s on my 06 TJ. And they have worked flawlessly for the past 10 years with infrequent maintenance. However, they, significantly increased NVH. When I originally got them installed it was no big deal. Now that Im older, hard of hearing, and have other issues I really dont like them at all. Not because of performance but strictly due to NVH. Maybe Im old (not even 40 yet) but I would much prefer a different style. For myself I am looking to replace the TJ suspension for a more mild option, and for the JT will consider a mild MOPAR or mtalcloak, clayton, or frankenlift option (I know nothing of rusty). Simply for the better daily ride since hard core is no longer my MO. Hope that helps.

You might be the first person I have heard say a significant increase in NVH with JJs.

I had a TJ with JJs. I didn't notice a significant increase in NVH.

Most people with JJs say they ride just like any other arm.

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[JeepOfTheseus]

Happy with my Core 4x4 stuff so far. Seems like great quality, and overall the fitment has been perfect or close to perfect. I went with their T4 complete set (steering, front/rear track bars, front/rear UCA/LCA). I installed everything except the control arms (need help with those). Only issue I ran into was the adjustment nut on the pitman end of the drag link hits the brace that the joint mounts to because my lift isn't enough to require the ball joint to be extended out very far. And on the axel side of the track bar, the joint is a bit too large (wide) and isn't able to clear the hole that already exists in the brace, so per their advice I had to open up the hole a little with a grinder.

In any case, because of the results so far and their recent sale, I got their (new?) T4 front/rear end links to finish it all off.

 

[Burghardphotography]

You might be the first person I have heard say a significant increase in NVH with JJs.

I had a TJ with JJs. I didn't notice a significant increase in NVH.

Most people with JJs say they ride just like any other arm.

That hasn’t been my experience, nor what I’ve heard from old timers as well. I’ve always heard that Johnny joints give you the best articulation, but in return give you noise, harsher onroad ride, and higher maintenance.

 

[chorky]

You might be the first person I have heard say a significant increase in NVH with JJs.

I had a TJ with JJs. I didn't notice a significant increase in NVH.

Most people with JJs say they ride just like any other arm.

thats pretty strange. 10 years ago when I was looking at options it was common knowledge for JJ’s to have much higher NVH than other joints because there is no bushing, no rubber. Its solid metal on metal contact from hub to chassis. Maybe they made some changes recently? I still chose them back then because they were the better ootion for my use case at the time. Now, I want to replace them with a bushing style option to quiet things down and reduce road based vibrations. I can take my TJ on long trips as is but it requires a lot of extra energy and concentration, and the nvh gets really old after an Hour or two. Although comparing to the gladiator isnt really fair.

Either way, I wouldnt want them for a vehicle other than dedicated trail/fun/weekender. Theyre great quality and I have had zero issues in 10 years iincluding no changes to alignment even after hitting some hard potholes), but I think all the main players (metal cloak, clayton, aev, mopar, etc) are better options for a more daily used vehicle.

 

[Wheelin98TJ]

That hasn’t been my experience, nor what I’ve heard from old timers as well. I’ve always heard that Johnny joints give you the best articulation, but in return give you noise, harsher onroad ride, and higher maintenance.

Do these old timers post on forums, and if so, can you post some links?

The old timers that post on the forums I'm on say the same thing I'm saying.

 

[DocMike]

Running the same lift. I agree with all this. Ran the lift for a year. Flexes great. Rides great.
@Clayton Off Road answers all my stupid questions and they have great instructions and support.
Did the lift at home with basic tools and was aligned pretty close before I took it to a shopper pro alignment..

I currently have the Clayton Overland Plus lift and they are supper beefy and absolutely quite! I’ve done a lot of off-roading and rock crawling with no complaints at all!

Their customer service is next to none and you can actually call the shop and talk to the experts, send pics and their more than willing to help you!

 

[dawghauler]

Love my Clayton’s beefy ride quite best of all no maintinance

 

[DocMike]

Yup. I just check my torque now and then when I finish wheeling.

Love my Clayton’s beefy ride quite best of all no maintinance

 

[Wheelin98TJ]

thats pretty strange. 10 years ago when I was looking at options it was common knowledge for JJ’s to have much higher NVH than other joints because there is no bushing, no rubber. Its solid metal on metal contact from hub to chassis. Maybe they made some changes recently? I still chose them back then because they were the better ootion for my use case at the time. Now, I want to replace them with a bushing style option to quiet things down and reduce road based vibrations.

Either way, I wouldnt want them for a vehicle other than dedicated trail/fun/weekender. Theyre great quality and I have had zero issues in 10 years iincluding no changes to alignment even after hitting some hard potholes), but I think all the main players (metal cloak, clayton, aev, mopar, etc) are better options for a more daily used vehicle.

They are not metal on metal. There is urethane bearing race.

 

[TreyK42]

MetalCloak all day. Most durable, quiet, long-lasting, maintenance-free bushings out there and solid as a rock. Fantastic company with fantastic customer service.

I can't speak to any other brands because I've never used anything else on my jeeps.

 

[Burghardphotography]

Do these old timers post on forums, and if so, can you post some links?

The old timers that post on the forums I'm on say the same thing I'm saying.

I don’t have anything forum wise to give, it’s just what I’ve heard over the years. And what my installer told me when ordering my lift kit as well, con’s were NVH and maintenance.

I very well may be wrong, just thought I’d throw in my two cents.

 

[Wheelin98TJ]

I don’t have anything forum wise to give, it’s just what I’ve heard over the years. And what my installer told me when ordering my lift kit as well, con’s were NVH and maintenance.

I very well may be wrong, just thought I’d throw in my two cents.

Here is one example, it's a pretty long discussion on JJs and NVH:

https://www.jeepforum.com/threads/jk-control-arm-opinions.1312456/

mrblaine is one old timer posting in that thread. Maybe you already know him from what he does with Savvy Off Road.

 

[bleda2002]

I don’t have anything forum wise to give, it’s just what I’ve heard over the years. And what my installer told me when ordering my lift kit as well, con’s were NVH and maintenance.

I very well may be wrong, just thought I’d throw in my two cents.

Hard urethane will definitely translate to more NVH vs rubber as the simple physics say a rigid connection is going to translate to more vibration than a cushioned connection. As with all NVH, the question is how much that increase of NVH matters is up to the individual. My wife is basically numb to nearly all NVH, she doesnt hear mud tires, she doesnt feel chassis vibrations, she doesnt notice cab noise, its all pretty much lost on her unless its really bad. I'm super sensitive to vibrations, but care less about noise. Everyone is different and JJ arent suddenly going to turn your ride in to a rattle trap, so its really just what you're willing to live with.

 

[Wheelin98TJ]

Hard urethane will definitely translate to more NVH vs rubber as the simple physics say a rigid connection is going to translate to more vibration than a cushioned connection. As with all NVH, the question is how much that increase of NVH matters is up to the individual. My wife is basically numb to nearly all NVH, she doesnt hear mud tires, she doesnt feel chassis vibrations, she doesnt notice cab noise, its all pretty much lost on her unless its really bad. I'm super sensitive to vibrations, but care less about noise. Everyone is different and JJ arent suddenly going to turn your ride in to a rattle trap, so its really just what you're willing to live with.

It's a softer urethane that is proprietary to Currie.

 

[bleda2002]

It's a softer urethane that is proprietary to Currie.

Its still a hard urethane, it cushions better than metal as metal is not elastic at all, but its not rubber soft as urethane cant bounce back like rubber. JJ will always have more NVH than a rubber bushing, now is that 5%, 10%, 50% more and will you notice is all up for questions.

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