Front end noise!

[Chick33]

Hey guys...I’m trying to get some info on the front end of my 2020 Gladiator Rubicon NLE. Just returned home after my fifth visit from Jeep service and I’m still hearing this noise up front. I’m aware of the steering box issue and yes mine does wander as well but this is unrelated. At this point they have replaced the entire front end. Tie rods, drag links stabilizer etc. Can someone who owns a 2020 JT tell me that if you grab the right/passenger side tie rod that there should be excessive play in it. I can actually recreate the noise I’m hearing when I grab it and tug it! I’m no mechanic but my intuition tells me that this should not occur on a new car not to mention with all new parts up front. Jeep has 8k on it and hasn’t seen dirt btw. Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.

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[Puch]

Hey guys...I’m trying to get some info on the front end of my 2020 Gladiator Rubicon NLE. Just returned home after my fifth visit from Jeep service and I’m still hearing this noise up front. I’m aware of the steering box issue and yes mine does wander as well but this is unrelated. At this point they have replaced the entire front end. Tie rods, drag links stabilizer etc. Can someone who owns a 2020 JT tell me that if you grab the right/passenger side tie rod that there should be excessive play in it. I can actually recreate the noise I’m hearing when I grab it and tug it! I’m no mechanic but my intuition tells me that this should not occur on a new car not to mention with all new parts up front. Jeep has 8k on it and hasn’t seen dirt btw. Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.

I don’t have an answer for you. I was curious if you tried to do the same thing to a new JT on the lot. While the service guy watched?

 

[Chick33]

I’m going back tomorrow yet again to do exactly what you mentioned. I told them to have a Glad on hand to compare. We’ll see what happens?

 

[Puch]

I’m going back tomorrow yet again to do exactly what you mentioned. I told them to have a Glad on hand to compare. We’ll see what happens?

Good luck. Hope you get it resolved.

 

[Chick33]

Thanks...will keep everyone posted!

 

[kevman65]

Yes, there is slop in the tie rod bar and the drag link bar.

I have replaced both along with the track bar with stouter aftermarket bars.

 

[Chick33]

Enough so that that you can feel it in the passenger side floor board? For 65k I figured they’d have that worked out. I’ve owned Jeeps all my life and currently own a 95 YJ. Never had an issue. Do you mind telling me what parts and where you purchased them. Thx Ken. I’m shocked that more people if this is the case haven’t mentioned it or complained about it. It’s loud and you can actually feel it!

 

[kevman65]

I chose Synergy stuff for the simple fact all adjustments can be made while they are installed. No jam nut (which will loosen) to fool with.
I listed the links to what I bought and where. Keep in mind, there has been back orders on these parts off and on all year. When I purchased, drag link bar was on a 60 day back order, but came in 2 weeks early.


Oh, to answer your question, yes I could see someone feeling the slap through the floor board.

https://www.northridge4x4.com/part/track-bars/8875-01-synergy-hd-adjustable-front-track-bar

https://www.northridge4x4.com/part/hydraulic-steering-kits/8825-01-synergy-hd-steering-kit

 

[Renegade]

Enough so that that you can feel it in the passenger side floor board? For 65k I figured they’d have that worked out. I’ve owned Jeeps all my life and currently own a 95 YJ. Never had an issue. Do you mind telling me what parts and where you purchased them. Thx Ken. I’m shocked that more people if this is the case haven’t mentioned it or complained about it. It’s loud and you can actually feel it!

You should not hear or feel any strange noises from the front of a new Jeep while driving. It is normal to be able to slightly rotate the drag link and tie rod by hand, but only slightly.

 

[Chick33]

You should not hear or feel any strange noises from the front of a new Jeep while driving. It is normal to be able to slightly rotate the drag link and tie rod by hand, but only slightly.

 

[Chick33]

That’s what I would have guessed. I can’t imagine JEEP would roll out new cars that require immediate maintenance. The noise started around 4K miles so something obviously is not right!

 

[jbehrn]

I’m getting the occasional popping sound when I turn the wheels from my front end; it is loud enough to hear in the cabin over low music. Is that the sound you experienced?

 

[Chick33]

If I grab the passenger side tie rod with my hand it seems the bushing is loose. I can physically move it...there’s excessive play in there. I finally located where the noise is coming from so anytime I’m driving and there’s stress on that tie rod which is pretty much constant it makes a clunking noise and you can feel it in the floor boards. My concern is that they just replaced it for the second time and I should have checked it before I left the service department. I just assumed they figured it out. Obviously not the case.

 

[Chick33]

I’m just wondering if someone else with a 2020 Glad grabs that tie rod and puts some stress on it that it should make a metal on metal clunking noise?

 

[lrtexasman]

Have only seen a few of that particular complaint. They were either resolved through tightening the suspension, OEM replacement, or aftermarket upgrades. I'd slide over to the JL sister page and see if the same issue has popped up and how they resolved the issue.

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