Drag link question. Trying to track down front end clunk

[vst]

Hey guys I’m new to jeep platform and solid axle suspension. I have a front end clunk I’m trying to tack down. It only really happens when moving slow and turning up a hill or obstacle. I’m going to try tightening the knuckle ball joints but is the drag link supposed to rotate? I know it’s on ball joints but when I rotate it by hand it makes a clunk noise when it’s at maximum up or down. Thanks for any info.

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[tonywin]

Check your swaybar end links as well. I had the same clunk and thought the same area. It ended up being my front endlinks.

 

[Ted Striker]

My drag link moves a little if I try to rotate it by hand. Probably about 1/8".

 

[vst]

mine rotates way more than that but I do have a rustys Offroad drag link not sure if that makes a difference or not

 

[WILDHOBO]

Check the nut that attaches the pitman arm to the sector shaft on the gearbox. I thought my clunk was a bad drag link end. It ended up being fine. The nut was loose. No damage. Tightened it and used red loctite. Problem solved. Is your steering also a bit loose?

 

[vst]

Check the nut that attaches the pitman arm to the sector shaft on the gearbox. I thought my clunk was a bad drag link end. It ended up being fine. The nut was loose. No damage. Tightened it and used red loctite. Problem solved. Is your steering also a bit loose?

Ok ill give that a look my steering seems pretty tight still

 

[WILDHOBO]

Ok ill give that a look my steering seems pretty tight still

It might not be that if your steering is tight, but it’s possible.

 

[OHJeeper]

Are you 100% sure it's from the front-end? I thought I had a front-end noise, with the exact same symptoms as yours: slow, turning, under load (uphill or over obstacle). I had my wife drive it up our driveway (10% grade) and it sounded more like the Xfer case area when I was outside the vehicle.

Long story short: it's awaiting a new TC from the dealer under warranty after 3 days in the shop.

Before you go chasing down steering/suspension linkage issues, just wanted to (maybe) save you some time and headache.

 

[vst]

Are you 100% sure it's from the front-end? I thought I had a front-end noise, with the exact same symptoms as yours: slow, turning, under load (uphill or over obstacle). I had my wife drive it up our driveway (10% grade) and it sounded more like the Xfer case area when I was outside the vehicle.

Long story short: it's awaiting a new TC from the dealer under warranty after 3 days in the shop.

Before you go chasing down steering/suspension linkage issues, just wanted to (maybe) save you some time and headache.

Was that happening in 2wd in the transfer case?

 

[OHJeeper]

Was that happening in 2wd in the transfer case?

Yes... still happening. Awaiting the new TC supposed to be in this week.

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