Clunk/Click from front suspension

[JeffPro4x]

So, I nstalled my 2" spacer lift this past weekend. Now I get a clunk noise from the front. Can't tell if its right or left side. It only happens when I am turning around in my driveway, doing less than 5mph with wheels full lock either direction. I've 3x checked torque on everything I had apart(shock bolts, swaybar, etc). Any thoughts?

 

[Pro-2X]

Probably the upper arm hitting the coil bucket. No big deal just annoying. Should have heard mine with 3".

 

[JeffPro4x]

don't think its cbc. happens at slow speed, no bumps. only at full wheel lock

 

[JeffPro4x]

i got cbc when i took a speed bump at 25mph, by accident. its a different sound

 

[Pro-2X]

but at full wheel lock it causes the suspension to lean. Turn the wheel to full lock, put it in park and get out and check the clearances between the arm and bucket.

 

[Pro-2X]

I used to get it when I hit the brakes and the truck rebounded.

 

[JeffPro4x]

I definitely will when it stops raining. I didn't think of that. Thanks

 

[Pro-2X]

No problem. Let me know if it is or isn't and we can talk about other things.

 

[JeffPro4x]

i'll definitley check tomorrow

 

[JeffPro4x]

I had a chance to check coil bucket clearance at full lock this morning. About 3/4" at the lowest point. I'll try removing the sway bar links this weekend and see where that gets me

Jeff's X

 

[JeffPro4x]

So:
1. checked for cbc at full lock - no contact, still approx 3/4" of room
2. removed front sway bar - noise still there
3. triple checked lower shock bolts - still torqued to 155

I realize now that it isnt just at full lock.

Here's a video of the noise:
[video]http://vid38.photobucket.com/albums/e121/jdiem328/clunck_zpsd5c52ae1.mp4[/video]

 

[Pro-2X]

Wow, that sounds different. A little like CB, but not really. Hoping someone else will chime in.
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[Fromfrontier2Xterra]

There's not too many components that were loosened or altered doing spacers. I know you said you did, but check torque again on the 3 nuts on top of coil bucket. And bottom bolt.

There shouldn't have been a reason to, but did you take off UCA? Also, did you you do shocks as well? It almost sounds like an unseated spring.

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[JeffPro4x]

UCAs didn't come off. Ball joints were loosened though. The spacers are top mounts. Could it be the nuts holding the spacer on?

Jeff's X

 

[Fromfrontier2Xterra]

So your spacer looks similar to this?



If so, then yes check all six nuts.

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[JeffPro4x]

Yeah. They're eBay spacers. The round aluminum ones

Jeff's X

 

[JeffPro4x]

I guess I'll have to pull the coilovers and check them

Jeff's X

 

[Fromfrontier2Xterra]

No way to check without pulling whole coilover? If not, that stinks. Hopefully that will fix it though. If that and checking all other things doesn't work, the only other thing I can suggest is have a buddy right there up front watching and listening as you slowly turn and drive.

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[JeffPro4x]

It does stink. I don't really care about the noise, just don't want to cause any damage.

Jeff's X

 

[caseycamby]

That kinda sounds similar to a CV axle about to go out... Did you say it was only at low speeds?

 

[JeffPro4x]

Yeah. Very low speeds. I'll be pissed if its a CV. The truck only has 18500 on it. Warranty probably wouldn't cover it either bc of the lift.

Jeff's X

 

[Pro-2X]

Most service techs will not say anything. Hell they covered my Ball Joint on a 2WD with 3" spacers.
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[Fromfrontier2Xterra]

If it is a cv and not covered, worst case it's 50 bucks and 45 min of your time.

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[caseycamby]

But.. How often are you at full lock at higher speeds?

Mine did a similar thing when mine went out. Lifts will wear them out but not this soon..

 

[JeffPro4x]

Yeah. The lift has been on less than a week. Guess I'll be making a trip to the stealership soon...

Jeff's X

 

[JeffPro4x]

Had my bil outside while I made the noise happen. He sad he couldn't see anything weird going on. I think I'm just gonna live with the noise unless it gets worse.

Jeff's X

 

[Prime]

So are these the spacers that go inside the coilovers?

If so.....

Question. Did you cut out, save, and reuse the steel lower sleeve that goes back onto the shock so that the top shock bolt can get tension? It's part of the stock rubber isolator.

When we did Cal's lift the first time I missed it and it sounded an awful lot like that. Had to take everything apart and redo it. Luckily the trash guy hadn't come yet.

 

[JeffPro4x]

They are top mount spacers.

 

[rolling rock]

Been following the thread JeffPro4x. PITA. Hope you get it sorted out. Since it still has warranty, i would take it and see what they say. Cant hurt. I take it it did not do this BEFORE the lift? Correct?

 

[caseycamby]

I'm thinking it's too coincidental not to have something to do with the lift, that soon after it was installed.... But I just don't know.

 

[JeffPro4x]

I think it's too coincidental too. It did not happen before lift. I don't remember hearing it before the alignment either, but I only put about 25 miles on it between lift and alignment.

 

[caseycamby]

I think it's too coincidental too. It did not happen before lift. I don't remember hearing it before the alignment either, but I only put about 25 miles on it between lift and alignment.

I didn't mean that as in you did something wrong installing the lift, just so you know! I wasn't bagging on your mechanicing skills it could be all sorts of things causing it..

 

[JeffPro4x]

No offense was taken!

 

[rolling rock]

This will have closure. And you will nail the problem and back to enjoying your X.

 

[JeffPro4x]

i still have a sneaking suspicion that its the coil spacers. i'm getting uca's soon and i'll check then.

 

[JeffPro4x]

More clarity: I start the car, back up, clicks/pops when I give it gas. Put it in drive, it clicks/pops when I give it gas. Once I'm driving around, it's fine until I put it in reverse.

 

[Fromfrontier2Xterra]

Constant now? Just not at full lock? Check u-joints.

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[JeffPro4x]

Wheels straight. Clicks once, then it's fine until I shift to drive or reverse, then it pops once in whatever gear I'm in and doesn't do it again.

 

[JeffPro4x]

I took the front coilovers out, checked torque on the spacers. They're good. I did find a lot of movement in my rotors. Not sure if this is normal or not. (I'm learning car mechanics on the go. ) I can rotate the rotors on the wheel studs a little and it definitely makes the same noise. I'll post a video in a few.

 

[Prime]

Wheel bearings!!