Clunking noise from rear

[Ventsan]

Hi guys,
I have had this strange clunking noise from the rear of my Libby for the past week. It happens when driving low speed over rough roads. It sounds like something hitting against the body. I have replaced the shocks and upper control arm and checked all the bolts for tightness. My next thought is the lower control arm bushings. Has anyone else had a noise like this?

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[nnote]

I've got the same thing going on. Low speed bumps will produce a thunk in the back, like some kind of bottom out. Nothing at freeways speeds. Mine seems to originate from the rear right but not always.
Do you happen to notice if yours is also when slowing and almost to a stop you'll get a clunk or right after accelerating from a stop light? I get that sometimes also and I've checked my mounts. They are all good.

 

[Ventsan]

I've got the same thing going on. Low speed bumps will produce a thunk in the back, like some kind of bottom out. Nothing at freeways speeds. Mine seems to originate from the rear right but not always.
Do you happen to notice if yours is also when slowing and almost to a stop you'll get a clunk or right after accelerating from a stop light? I get that sometimes also and I've checked my mounts. They are all good.

Yup that's exactly what happens. I'm really baffled because nothing seems to be out of place. I've looked at everything but I can't reproduce it when I'm not driving. I'm going to stick my GoPro down there and see if I can see anything.


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[tommudd]

Yup that's exactly what happens. I'm really baffled because nothing seems to be out of place. I've looked at everything but I can't reproduce it when I'm not driving. I'm going to stick my GoPro down there and see if I can see anything.


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How sagged out are your springs, plus how many miles on them?
If over 60,000 both need replacing and could be bouncing down on the bumpstops

LCAs will usually give you a dance going down the road, kind of taking you one way when accelerating and the other way when letting off the gas

 

[Ventsan]

How sagged out are your springs, plus how many miles on them?
If over 60,000 both need replacing and could be bouncing down on the bumpstops

LCAs will usually give you a dance going down the road, kind of taking you one way when accelerating and the other way when letting off the gas

Springs aren't very sagged, I replaced them a couple years ago. Probably 25k miles. It doesn't seem to be dancing at all, it feels solid.
I am going to take my GoPro and record the rear axle in a little bit, and see what's going on.

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[Ventsan]

So here's the video
https://youtu.be/iPQkaj-ffz8
Ignore the noise, my GoPro makes everything sound like garbage.


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[HoosierJeeper]

Are any of the shocks leaking? I had a hell of a clunk (twice) from some Bilstein shocks that failed in 20-30k miles. Maybe swap the shocks around and see what happens.

 

[Ventsan]

Are any of the shocks leaking? I had a hell of a clunk (twice) from some Bilstein shocks that failed in 20-30k miles. Maybe swap the shocks around and see what happens.

Possibly, but these shocks have less than 250 miles on them, I would be really surprised. I'll try swapping my old shocks back on this weekend for a drive.

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[HoosierJeeper]

Are they mounted tight? Sometimes the bushings are too small.

 

[Ventsan]

Are they mounted tight? Sometimes the bushings are too small.

Yeah I had that problem when I installed them. I used some spacers and it fits fine now.

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[tommudd]

Muffler or tail pipe is not hitting anywhere is it?

But sounds more suspension wise in a way

 

[nnote]

My shocks and springs are probably original, at 165k, So I may be hitting the bump stops. I might put some white grease or something and see if it gets transferred with a bump.

 

[tommudd]

My shocks and springs are probably original, at 165k, So I may be hitting the bump stops. I might put some white grease or something and see if it gets transferred with a bump.

Stock springs on these are done by 55-60,000 miles so just maybe :gr_grin::gr_grin::gr_grin:

 

[Ventsan]

Little Update:

Tried swapping shocks, to no avail. Checked every bolt and bushing in the rear, nothing out of place.
I had an exhaust hangar rusted through, I finally welded that back on. I don't think that was the noise though, I had it tied up out of place.

 

[Royy]

Little Update:

Tried swapping shocks, to no avail. Checked every bolt and bushing in the rear, nothing out of place.
I had an exhaust hangar rusted through, I finally welded that back on. I don't think that was the noise though, I had it tied up out of place.

Was it the hanger that's just behind the muffler? That one rusted through on my KJ a while ago. As a result, the exhaust pipe had enough play in it that it would occasionally hit against the inner fender. It sounded very similar to the clunking sounds in the video you posted.

It took me forever to track that down.

 

[Ventsan]

Was it the hanger that's just behind the muffler? That one rusted through on my KJ a while ago. As a result, the exhaust pipe had enough play in it that it would occasionally hit against the inner fender. It sounded very similar to the clunking sounds in the video you posted.

It took me forever to track that down.

That's the one. I haven't driven it yet since I welded it, but it has been broken for about a year, and the noise just started recently, so I don't think that that was the cause. But I will find out tomorrow morning.


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[Ventsan]

Are any of the shocks leaking? I had a hell of a clunk (twice) from some Bilstein shocks that failed in 20-30k miles. Maybe swap the shocks around and see what happens.

Well hey, guess what? This was the problem. It turns out the shock I swapped on had the same problem. Which makes me an idiot.

But the shock was replaced and everything is back to buttery smooth Libby driving.

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[HoosierJeeper]

Awesome! Glad it was an easy fix. I guess a dead squirrel finds a nut twice a day or something like that.

 

[Muddedprairie]

This noise was also on my 03 found it to be the rear a arm that goes side to side and bolts to the axle. Bought a brand new one off eBay 64 buck's installed it good to go.

 

[tommudd]

This noise was also on my 03 found it to be the rear a arm that goes side to side and bolts to the axle. Bought a brand new one off eBay 64 buck's installed it good to go.

Tri-Link
Keep checking it closely
those are usually only good for a few months
very cheap bushings