Help diagnosing clown horn sound

[BornHawaii]

My TJ makes a weird squeal sound when I turn left. Best I can describe it as is a clown horn, the one you squeeze. I recorded videos from underneath trying to locate if it’s front, back, left or right and nothing. I greased stuff, silicone sprayed and hose sprayed and test drove hoping to find something changed and nothing. I have in the shop right now since I couldn’t figure out. But they are having trouble finding without throwing parts at it. Any ideas??

 

[Deputy Dodge]

That's metal on metal and in synch with the movement of the passenger side upper control arm.

 

[TheBoogieman]

That's metal on metal and Nsync with the movement of the passenger side upper control arm.

FIFY.

 

[JEEPCJTJ]

FIFY.

View attachment 421853

DAMN that clown horn noise is much worse than I thought

 

[macleanflood]

Throw a set of OEM control arms at it. To much of a PIA to replace the bushings.

Or upgrade to Core 4x4 tier 1 or better arms.

Or just go for 40s, long arms and one tons...it's broken and you deserve an upgrade!

-Mac

 

[AndyG]

Might just put WD-40 on one connection at a time - when it goes away that’s the one you need to target

Never rule out some clown worked under there though.

 

[BornHawaii]

Yeah, I tried spraying everywhere I could think of one at a time and drove after. Did this about 10 times before I just sprayed everything hoping for some sound changes. I started going crazy and thinking it's not suspension after all that. Guess I just don't understand how it can happen only left turns and not straight. I've tried hitting speed bumps with just left side and right side to get movement on each side while going straight and no clown.

When driving, it sounds like the passenger side and should be since it happens on left turns, but couldn't figure it out outside the Jeep. It just echos underneath. I grabbed and shook, rocked and swayed in every direction on every part to mimic the sound when not driving and couldn't get it to happen. I found the drag link slightly loose at the pitman arm, but after tightening and reinstalling the pin, it made no difference. The rear track bar bushings are worn, but I greased those to temp silence the rear squeak when going over speed bumps.

 

[LONGJP2]

Guess I just don't understand how it can happen only left turns and not straight. I've tried hitting speed bumps with just left side and right side to get movement on each side while going straight and no clown.

When you're turning the Jeep is leaning and putting sideways pressure on things.
Hard to recreate in the driveway.

 

[BornHawaii]

Update from shop. Axle is off center and found rubbing. Hoping alignment will fix. Don't know how I missed that rub. Helps if the Jeep would've circled it for me. Thanks Deputy Dodge for the metal on metal call.
I've had this Jeep for over 10 years and the previous owner had as rock climber (when I was back in New Orleans and got from Miss). Heard he cut off control arm brackets for the lift he had and then re-welded back on to put back stock and trade in. That came from a guy at a shop I brought to that actually did some body work on it years ago. I have adjustable control arms and track bar to get the alignment as close as possible. Hope this is all it needs. I don't want that upgrade Mac mentioned. I got the toy YJ for that.

 

[LONGJP2]

The axle is off because it's hanging in the air.
The swaybar moves around if the bushings are worn out.

 

[Duck Doctor]

Alignment won’t fix that issue.

 

[Duck Doctor]

The axle is off because it's hanging in the air.
The swaybar can be pushed over if the bushings are worn out.

Good catch

 

[AndyG]

that sway bar on the frame maybe be it- keep us posted

There is a way to lock a sway bar - Mcmaster-Carr sells a 2 piece round clamp that will lock it in, but the axle center typically is the real fix