Loud clanking when doing a sharp turn into Driveway.

[Jclayc]

My tires would hit the fender liners once they got loose, only did it when turning and running over a bump. Fixed with razor. Just a thought.

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[Bigb55]

No dice on skid plates?

Found some semi loose bolts on the aftermarket skids, snugged them up. Still made the noise.

 

[Bigb55]

Here is a video of the noise. Only happens during turning with bump (occasionally it clanks once randomly while driving, but only on accel or decel).

Once it does happen as long as tires are turned, It will keep happening. Once tires go straight, it clanks for a few times and stops. Like something is binding.

 

[Bigb55]

And here it is making a similar clanking sound while offroading last week. I didn't notice cause everything makes noises off-road. But watching the video it's obvious it's the same sound.

 

[Mightytalldude]

Bad U joint.

 

[Bigb55]

Bad U joint.

That's a good possibility. Would explain the noise during a sharp turn. The bump just gets it even more bound up.

Do they usually fail on JL/JT at 14k miles? I put some solid off-road miles on my JT, but really just mild rock crawling on 33s

 

[Mightytalldude]

That's a good possibility. Would explain the noise during a sharp turn. The bump just gets it even more bound up.

Do they usually fail on JL/JT at 14k miles? I put some solid off-road miles on my JT, but really just mild rock crawling on 33s

Anything can fail at any time, is just a crap shoot as to when.

Quick test, put into 4wd, and make sure the disconnect locks turn hard left. Leave it in gear, jack up that wheel, and rotate the wheel forwards and backwards and you'll probably see the issue immediately. You'll need a 12 point socket, maybe 18mm, I forget the size for the 3 bolts holding on the front hub, and a 36mm socket for the center hub bolt. Quick tip, pop the center cap out of the wheel, reinstall the wheel and lower back onto the ground, then get a breaker bar with a slight extension, maybe a jack stand and loosen the center nut. You can rent or buy a u-joint press at most auto parts stores and swap out the u-joint yourself. If you get a replacement u-joint with a grease zirk, make sure it's installed on the compression side of the drive axle shaft, as it's a weak spot if installed 90° out of rotation. Solid axles are a breeze to work on and repair.

 

[Hootbro]

If you take your front wheel bearing hub off, be careful with those 12 point bolts as they are like $45 or so each from MOPAR for replacement and standard off the shelf bolts will not work. People tend to loosen them and leave a few threads in the hub and try to beat the hub out from the knuckle hammering on the bolt heads and damaging the 12 point head.

 

[Mightytalldude]

I'm also assuming in that video it's in 2wd, there's no wheel spacers on the wheel, and lugnuts are tight.

 

[Bigb55]

I'm also assuming in that video it's in 2wd, there's no wheel spacers on the wheel, and lugnuts are tight.

2wd, no wheel spacers, lug nuts torqued to 130 ft lbs.

 

[Mightytalldude]

2wd, no wheel spacers, lug nuts torqued to 130 ft lbs.

Yeah, I'll stick with my assessment of bad u-joint.

 

[new to gladiator]

I had a similar noise with OEM setup mid tires and wheel full chock towards driver side. It turned out it was the wheel liner splash shield that was getting caught on the tire lugs, trimmed back a little bit the splash shield and problem gone

 

[Bigb55]

Update, loosened all fuel tank and cross member bolts. Sprayed grease where it's metal on metal. And Retorqued them all.

The loud clanking is gone, now all I have is the clicking in the front at full lock steering.

 

[BSW520!]

Update, loosened all fuel tank and cross member bolts. Sprayed grease where it's metal on metal. And Retorqued them all.

The loud clanking is gone, now all I have is the clicking in the front at full lock steering.

Good to hear that the loud noise is gone.

 

[Bigb55]

Update got it back from the Dealer. They found nothing wrong with the balljoints, u-joints, and any steering or suspension components.

They Retorqued and checked everything. They Found a few more loose skid plate bolts. Which makes sense they got beat up on the rocks in Sedona.

The noise is much quieter but will still happen occasionally. But no components are worn or broken. So going send it until something breaks. More stuff will be added over time anyway.

It's just a Jeep thing noise now. Luckily it does not happen other then the sharp turn into my driveway.

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