"Clunk!" in Front End During Slow Turns

Mike Becker did pass the time by typing:

Have you checked every suspension bolt for proper torque? Have you checked the sway bar for broken mounts and the track bar for shot bushings?

This was the cause of some klunking/popping in my ZJ.

Yea, What He Said . . . Tom T

I meant to specify that it's a 2WD model. The rear U-joint seems solid, but I'll add it to my list the next time I get in a maintenance mode.

Thanks!

Sway bar mounts are in good shape, and the track bar bushings look ok. I haven't checked the torque of all of the components yet because most of the ones I saw had cotter keys. However, in looking through my Haynes manual I see quite a few that would be easy to check and rule out. Any in particular that might cause a "clunk" localized to either wheel, only while turning? Up to now, I've ruled out anything in pairs (suspension arms, shocks, coils) as both would have had to fail simultaneously. I think I'll revisit those, though.

A few weeks ago I had the wife run it up and down the drive way while I held onto various parts of the steering/suspension and wasn't able to feel out the popping. I did notice that the center link had quite a bit of play in it. I pumped up the grease fittings which helped, but the clunking continued.

Thanks for your help!

Mike Becker did pass the time by typing:

Longshot, but have you checked the motor and tranny mounts?

that usually is a big klonk and/or a real roughfeeling engine.

> God Bless America, ßill O|||||||O> mailto: snipped-for-privacy@aol.com Sorry, I forgot to specify that it's 2WD in my first post. The hubs are the same as they are on a 4WD model, with what I've just called the "dumby spline" through the middle. The dumby spline ends immediately at the back of the hub and I assume it's only purpose is to hold the hub assembly together.

Thanks

Axle U joints.

OK, I read th erest ofthe thread, 2wd, not 4wd. In this case I'd suspect your track bar.

Matt Macchiarolo wrote: I'd suspect

Me too. :)

Jerry

On occasion my TJ will make a clunking noise from the front end when I turn left or right. It is always caused by the upper track arm mount coming loose. (I have the nasty Rubicon Express track arm :-( A few minutes with a wrench fixes the problem for me.

Dean

Nope, uses a 5-link suspension just like a 4wd, with a solid beam axle, just not a drive axle.

Check the "ball" end of the track bar (on the drivers side mount), mine was well worn out when I recently had it replaced, but when it started clunking it was only doing so on turns. Have someone start up the J**P and turn the wheel from lock to lock while you look under at the track bar mount, the joint could be moving in the mount, the hole goes egg shape as it wears.

Snow...

This one is listed as a 4wd, 2-door cherokee...

Roy, I visited my parents in South Arkansas shortly after I bought a '93 Cherokee, and my dad was impressed with it, he was looking for one to buy. In town, every one I saw on the road or in a dealer's lot down there was

2wd.

It's a crazy concept, I know :) The great thing is that I got it about 40k miles ago for $4,000. Only "problem" then was that the tires were shot. I like the clearance, the suspension, and the size of the vehicle for camping and vacations. I hop in a puddle every now and then and kind of wish I had

4WD when I see something really gnarly, but overall it does what I need it to.