Growling / Groaning noise when turning right under load since 3” J-Kontrol lift installed

[Izzy88]

Hello everyone,
Fairly new to the group and I’m hoping I could get some help with my 2025 Mojave with 4k miles, a 3” JKS lift recently installed.
the lift is the J-Kontrol for the Mojave so it has shock extension brackets. It also came with an adjustable trackbar and control arm dropdown brackets. Since install I have had two issues. Vibration from the back under hard acceleration which I resolved with a driveline dropdown bracket. The second issue is also a vibration but this one is from the front only seemly when turning right and only under load. It’s most noticeable when turning right from a stop but also happens when climbing a slight grade under normal throttle to keep the vehicle going a steady speed.
I have nut and bolted the entire lift twice, I have confirmed my coils are mounted properly and are clocked properly. Coil isolators we re-installed as per installation instructions. I’m not new to lifted vehicles and usually install my own lifts and accessories so I at least have an idea of what I should be looking for but the only think I can think of is the stock driveline angle is borderline and under acceleration it goes out of range just enough to cause this growl sound. I suspect because the sound is more prominent when turning right is because the pumpkin is offset to centerline on the axle.
Any feedback would be awesome.

thanks!

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[LouisvEarlleJT]

Check the wheel bearings on the front (no clue why they'd fail at 4k miles but they sound like that).

Beyond that yeah I'd think something with driveline angles

 

[tysongladiator]

My advice would be to put a couple of DJI or Gopro cameras underneath. Record videos in different locations. Sound travels through the suspension and frame and you'll spend money on parts you don't need.

I had a rear pinion issue that I thought was something going on with the front suspension. My DJI cameras underneath the rear showed me it was the rear pinion bearings. An issue with the stock rollerball bearings.

So, try the cameras. Maybe that would at least narrow down to the area for you.

 

[Sweetums]

Any rub marks on the wheel, tire, fender liner, or control arm on either side? Sounds like something might not be clearing

 

[Izzy88]

My advice would be to put a couple of DJI or Gopro cameras underneath. Record videos in different locations. Sound travels through the suspension and frame and you'll spend money on parts you don't need.

I had a rear pinion issue that I thought was something going on with the front suspension. My DJI cameras underneath the rear showed me it was the rear pinion bearings. An issue with the stock rollerball bearings.

So, try the cameras. Maybe that would at least narrow down to the area for you.

That is always possible I suppose but the timing of it would be a little suspicious. The noise started after the lift install. I did have a noise and vibration from the rear but resolved that with a driveline drop spacer. I might have to do that camera thing though.

 

[Izzy88]

Any rub marks on the wheel, tire, fender liner, or control arm on either side? Sounds like something might not be clearing

I have really great clearance and wheel offset is neutral but I did check for that or something like the abs wire hitting somewhere as the tire is turning but nothing. It’s not a metal to metal sound so much as a low growl. Also if I am turning at any radius without a load on the powertrain it’s quiet, only if there is steady load or acceleration.
I think I might pull the front driveline to see if it goes away.

 

[tysongladiator]

That is always possible I suppose but the timing of it would be a little suspicious. The noise started after the lift install. I did have a noise and vibration from the rear but resolved that with a driveline drop spacer. I might have to do that camera thing though.

I've learned from working on vehicles since I was a kid and owning and working on my gladiator for 7 yrs and 209k miles now that there's no rhyme or reason as to when and why things happen.

The rear pinion bearing has shown to be problematic in some jeeps because of the roller bearing design. And the change in driveline angle before you fixed it could have caused an issue. A lot of folks are going to the timken tapered bearings. They seem to be a little bit quieter and more reliable.

But... That may not even be your problem. That's why I recommended the cameras. The sound travel when you have issues is crazy. I replaced a couple parts on the front before the cameras and then realized the issue was the rear.

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