Clunky front end - 02 Liberty

[Bluefish]

Just replaced all the bushings on both LCA. Had to cut one of the bolts in half as it was rusted solid. Replaced the ball joints, tie rod ends, front struts, sway bar end links, sway bar bushings and upper control arms. Chunks gone, but suspension is also all new now. Did the work myself to save on shop labor costs.

I plan to do the same. What brand of front struts did you use?

I plan to do the work myself too. I figure I'll remove the lower control arms and have a machine shop swap out the bushings, then I'll reinstall everything with new ball joints and upper control arms. Is now the time to upgrade upper control arms, or if I'm not lifted are stocks fine?

 

[Bluefish]

I just finished replacing everything but realized the lower ball joints are pressed into the knuckle and the axle has to be removed to get to them. Does anyone know what the labor time is for front lower ball joints?

 

[dude1116]

I just finished replacing everything but realized the lower ball joints are pressed into the knuckle and the axle has to be removed to get to them. Does anyone know what the labor time is for front lower ball joints?

Define "axle has to be removed." You can just knock the axle out of the steering knuckle, disconnect all ball joints and links, then you have a free steering knuckle to press the ball joint out and in.

 

[Jade_Monkey07]

Iv got something clunking right now too. It's fairly loud. happens when I brake super hard. Reverse in either direction at full lock. And sometimes when I hit the gas hard. Steering rack was just replaced and thats about when i started to notice it. Shop said everything was good and tight. It's too loud for everything to be tight lol.


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[Bluefish]

Okay, I finally have an update!

After replacing everything, including having a shop do the lower ball joints and an alignment, all my issues are fixed! The Jeep has 180k on the clock, so it needed everything.

I tried to be cost effective in buying all Moog brand parts, and installing them myself and I'm happy with the results only things I would do differently is order new lower control arms - rocky road has them - because the machine shop charged me an arm and a leg to swap mine.

Second I would go with something other than Moog front quick struts. They are kinda weak, they behave a lot like a Monroe sensatrac. I have kyb gas adjust in the rear. First four wheeling outing I bottomed out all four corners.. I know she's no baja rig so I'm quite happy with the suspension nonetheless.

Are bilsteins or those ironman shocks likely to be very much better?

 

[HoosierJeeper]

I'm thinking they'd be quite the improvement, either those or OMEs or Bilsteins. And OME or Ironman springs make a huge difference.

 

[TwoBobsKJ]

I'm thinking they'd be quite the improvement, either those or OMEs or Bilsteins. And OME or Ironman springs make a huge difference.

X2

Ironman and OME are miles beyond Moog and Monroe for ride quality, comfort and offroad performance. You'll be amazed :waytogo:

Bob

 

[Bluefish]

I posted some more pics over in the members rides section, here's one from my trip yesterday.. A set of OME or Ironman springs and shocks is really calling my name now!

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[fishyx]

The old huntcamp KJ still has a pretty good thumping sound when going over bumps at any speed. I just can't figure out what the heck it is. Ball joints, tie rods and swaybar/end links are all just fine. It doesn't seem to affect drive-ability at all but I just get sick of hearing and feeling it.

 

[NewerJeeper]

The old huntcamp KJ still has a pretty good thumping sound when going over bumps at any speed. I just can't figure out what the heck it is. Ball joints, tie rods and swaybar/end links are all just fine. It doesn't seem to affect drive-ability at all but I just get sick of hearing and feeling it.

Check both your drive shafts. Mine is clicking and clunking sometimes and the front drive shaft rear cv joint is messed up on mine. Will be done in a couple days.

 

[M38 Bob]

The old huntcamp KJ still has a pretty good thumping sound when going over bumps at any speed. I just can't figure out what the heck it is. Ball joints, tie rods and swaybar/end links are all just fine. It doesn't seem to affect drive-ability at all but I just get sick of hearing and feeling it.

As embarrassing as it is to admit it, Chrysler T/C vans & Dodge Caravans, are kinda a first cousin to our Jeeps. On these vans it takes very little wear on the swaybar frame mounts for them to begin to sound like hammered hell. If you can move the bar ANY in the rubber you can bet that's the source of your noise.

Bob

 

[Leeann]

Yup, swaybar bushings were toast on my BILs '03 Liberty and caused a massive clunking.

 

[tommudd]

218,000 miles on my black one, Lifted over 198,000 miles, sway bar bushings have never made any noise at all
Of course I have removed them a few times, washed them good and stuck them back in. Have had replacements sitting here on the shelf for over 8 years now, just waiting, they'll dry rot before I use them:happy175:

 

[Leeann]

My BILs Liberty had over 250,000 on it when he got it from their cousin.

 

[HoosierJeeper]

The old huntcamp KJ still has a pretty good thumping sound when going over bumps at any speed. I just can't figure out what the heck it is. Ball joints, tie rods and swaybar/end links are all just fine. It doesn't seem to affect drive-ability at all but I just get sick of hearing and feeling it.

Might be the intermediate shaft. That's what it was on mine. Sounded like an out of balance tire at highway speeds too.

 

[M38 Bob]

218,000 miles on my black one, Lifted over 198,000 miles, sway bar bushings have never made any noise at all
Of course I have removed them a few times, washed them good and stuck them back in. Have had replacements sitting here on the shelf for over 8 years now, just waiting, they'll dry rot before I use them:happy175:

Tom, sometimes it sounds like you got too much time on your hands.:gr_grin:
If I took em out they'd get new replacements, probably Energy Suspenion polys.

Bob

 

[wheeee32]

I posted some more pics over in the members rides section, here's one from my trip yesterday.. A set of OME or Ironman springs and shocks is really calling my name now!

You must be registered for see images attach

Great shot! Looks like a great trip in the mountains.

 

[fishyx]

I'll look at the swaybar again. What's the best way to check the bushings?????

 

[tommudd]

Tom, sometimes it sounds like you got too much time on your hands.:gr_grin:
If I took em out they'd get new replacements, probably Energy Suspenion polys.

Bob

Not too much time but no need to replace and wouldn't run the Energy Suspensions ones if they were the only available, I'd make them from old socks first :icon_lol:
Just regular maintenance really , takes what like 3 minutes or so while you're there greasing the ball joints / tie rod ends etc
Its what keeps me from crossing the fence and beating the crap out of my neighbors

 

[tommudd]

I'll look at the swaybar again. What's the best way to check the bushings?????

Easy way, spray them with a small amount of WD40 or something like that and drive it, if its quiet then you know, if not, keep on looking:gr_grin: