Popping and Creeking in the Rear

[blue_kjR417]

Hey guys, ever since my lift I've been putting up with this kind of popping/creeking/rattling sound in the back of my KJ. I've just always figured it was something in my tool box rattling around due to the extra stiff suspension. Well today I finally got enough of it and decided to completely unload the back of my jeep and see if it continued to make the sound. Well it did. I'm starting to think it may be something in my suspension because it only happens when I hit bumps.

To better explain the sound its kind of like the popping you get in the front when you don't retighten the sway bar after its setting on the ground after a lift. Any idea what it may be?

I've also thought it could possibly be my back glass because the cylinders are just about too wore out to lift the glass and if they're not extending and putting pressure on the glass to hold it tight against the latch I thought it may be rattling.

 

[tjkj2002]

Upper/rear shock bolts not tight enough? Or the the upper tri-link balljoint is going out.

 

[blue_kjR417]

Upper/rear shock bolts not tight enough? Or the the upper tri-link balljoint is going out.

Well, I will try to tighten the shock bolts up tomorrow but I've tried to shake them and they wouldn't budge. How much is the upper tri-link ball joint and how hard is it to replace?

 

[mmc757]

Did you install poly bushings back there? If so, lots and lots of grease may keep it at bay but it will be a constant battle.

 

[cplchris]

i get the same creaking noise...on mine its the upper bushings on the rear shocks...usually i just spray them with a bit of silicone and its quiet for a month, im thinking about making some spacers and a sleeve for the bushing...the bilstein shocks i have are a bit narrow for the mount so right now theres like 2 or 3 washers on either side of the bushing when i make the spacers ill let you know if it does anything to remedy the creaking

 

[blue_kjR417]

Did you install poly bushings back there? If so, lots and lots of grease may keep it at bay but it will be a constant battle.

I'm not sure what you mean by poly bushings?

i get the same creaking noise...on mine its the upper bushings on the rear shocks...usually i just spray them with a bit of silicone and its quiet for a month, im thinking about making some spacers and a sleeve for the bushing...the bilstein shocks i have are a bit narrow for the mount so right now theres like 2 or 3 washers on either side of the bushing when i make the spacers ill let you know if it does anything to remedy the creaking

Yeah I've noticed they were too narrow as well. Also the bolt hole in the shock seems too big for the bolt really to me..

 

[mmc757]

I'm not sure what you mean by poly bushings?

Any polyurethane bushings? Its something you would have had to install yourself. Its a much harder material than factory rubber.

 

[renegade32]

hey blue_kjR417. My name is Lane, you left some info about this site on my window the other day and I think maybe you are my saving grace. I couldn't figure out how to get ahold of you on here other than in a forum so I just wanted to let you know that I've just recently looked in to putting more things onto the renegade and really need some help finding things like grille guards, running board, tail light guards, etc., that arent out of this world expensive. Maybe all you guys can help.

 

[blue_kjR417]

Any polyurethane bushings? Its something you would have had to install yourself. Its a much harder material than factory rubber.

Where are you talking about instaling these? the shocks had bushings in the bolt holes

 

[blue_kjR417]

hey blue_kjR417. My name is Lane, you left some info about this site on my window the other day and I think maybe you are my saving grace. I couldn't figure out how to get ahold of you on here other than in a forum so I just wanted to let you know that I've just recently looked in to putting more things onto the renegade and really need some help finding things like grille guards, running board, tail light guards, etc., that arent out of this world expensive. Maybe all you guys can help.

hey lane thanks for checking us out! I sent you a pm!

 

[blue_kjR417]

Well, I finally figured out what the problem was. I took the boomerang link off and checked all three joints which were still in great condition and worked properly. Then I decided to check the shock mounts. Turns out my top shock bushins didn't have sleeves in them to keep the bolts from resting directly on the bushings. I guess I was so excited to get my lift on I over looked them. The bolt had been wollering the bushing and caused it to have slack between the bolt and the bushing so when I hit bumps it was causing a rattling and popping noise. So I went to a local auto parts store and asked for a sleeve, but they didn't have anything so I went to HomeDepot and bought a 6" piece of 3/8" galvanized steel pipe with 1/16" walls. Cut two pieces off about an inch and half long and pressed them into the bushing with a vice to make my own sleeves. Reinstalled everything and it completely solved the noise problem and it feels like it even rides better in the back now. I'm pleased with the solution just disappointed it too so long to figure out and that it could have been prevented in the first place.