Creaky front end sounds while steering

[RexTreks]

Hey all!

This is my first post on the TJ forum, so a quick thanks for all the good info I've found on the site so far. I just bought my first wrangler (2005, Unlimited, 4.0, Auto) after nearly a decade of Toyota related activities, and I'm excited to learn more about this cool platform and get out there! But first things first....

When I bought this jeep it had some pretty funky sounds up front that I figured was related to the OEM steering components (90K mile truck) - so I did some digging and did the ZJ upgrade for the track bar, tie rod, and a new stabilizer (Thread by Chris) which I figured would resolve that issue; but much to my dismay the sounds are unchanged when turning the wheel while parked, or in motion. From the related threads that I've found, many point to a worn hiem join on the track bar, which I've tried lubing up with PBB; to which I haven't noticed any difference.

I'm not... Exactly sure what lift is on the truck right now, best I could discern is that it's the 4" Pro Comp K3083B - and my leading theory is that the hiem joint has failed, since it seems to be the loudest component when I stethoscope the surrounding components. The springs appear to have intact (though crumbling) isolators near the upper shock mount; so I'm thinking this is the root, but I wanted to share a video of the sounds to see if you agree, or perhaps provide a method to verify the theory?

Thanks for taking a look, looking forward to your insights.

 

[RexTreks]

I'm also reading that hiem joints (unfamiliar to me) are generally undesirable, as well as drop TB mounts, which appears to be installed on this jeep. Current leading theory is to remove the drop TB mount and purchase an adjustable length TB (Currie?) with a serviceable joint.

 

[LONGJP2]

I'm also reading that hiem joints (unfamiliar to me) are generally undesirable, as well as drop TB mounts, which appears to be installed on this jeep. Current leading theory is to remove the drop TB mount and purchase an adjustable length TB (Currie?) with a serviceable joint.

Another place to look is the springs.

 

[RexTreks]

Solved - it was the track bar bushing on the frame side. I put it an adjustable bar from rough country, centered the axle, greased the bolt, and now it's as silent as the grave.

I'm able to get up to about 65 mph without any sort of vibration, but at about 70 I start getting a good amount of rumble, feels like an unbalanced wheel for than anything.

And with the amounts of weights glued on to these things I wouldn't be surprised that they're simply poorly balanced... Might try a different shop and see if they can help out with that.

 

[Rickyd]

Solved - it was the track bar bushing on the frame side. I put it an adjustable bar from rough country, centered the axle, greased the bolt, and now it's as silent as the grave.

I'm able to get up to about 65 mph without any sort of vibration, but at about 70 I start getting a good amount of rumble, feels like an unbalanced wheel for than anything.

And with the amounts of weights glued on to these things I wouldn't be surprised that they're simply poorly balanced... Might try a different shop and see if they can help out with that.

I've seen tire guys who always put the weight off center from where the machine wants it.so they chase their tails until they get lucky. Best thing to do is put on less weight than it calls for and experiment with moving it an inch up and down the rim from recommended and respinning to see if it accepts it. With a little time you can use significantly less weight than otherwise called for

 

[RexTreks]

I've seen tire guys who always put the weight off center from where the machine wants it.so they chase their tails until they get lucky. Best thing to do is put on less weight than it calls for and experiment with moving it an inch up and down the rim from recommended and respinning to see if it accepts it. With a little time you can use significantly less weight than otherwise called for

Sounds like the right strategy. I got 71.5 -> 83.82 hub rings to eliminate any funky mounting concerns, but I'll get these back into a tire shop and see if they can shape it up a bit better.

 

[RexTreks]

Got the truck back from the tire shop today after a rebalance, and I'm still struggling to get this jeep to go over 65. I'll start a new thread for this.

 

[LONGJP2]

I put it an adjustable bar from rough country, centered the axle, greased the bolt,

Careful, grease on the bolt can end up on the ends of the bushing sleeve. This can reduce the friction needed for the bracket to hold the bushing properly.
Really, no need to grease them.

 

[RexTreks]

Careful, grease on the bolt can end up on the ends of the bushing sleeve. This can reduce the friction needed for the bracket to hold the bushing properly.
Really, no need to grease them.

Interesting... Well, I had ordered a replacement bolt and flanged/tabbed nut for the track bar, so I'll make sure to NOT grease that bolt on install and clean out the remainder. Thanks for the heads up on that!