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96 cherokee clunk when turning left

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Old 11-21-2009, 03:01 PM
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Question 96 cherokee clunk when turning left

Hi When I turn left I hear a clunk sound. I recently had the stearing damper replaced and this is when the clunk started. I took it to the dealer and thought it might be the front u joints, so I had them replaced. Still clunking. I'm worried this is a serious problem! Gomez is my white knight! Any ideas on how to save him? Please help! Thanks!
Old 11-21-2009, 03:04 PM
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so you replaced the front axle u joints? mine was making the same noise whether going left or right and that was my problem. replaced them and no more noise for me.
Old 11-21-2009, 03:25 PM
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You went to the dealer and they did not check the front u-joints to see if this was causing the clunk?? I would think twice about taking the jeep back to them for more repairs. Your clunk may be the track bar. The bar is attached to the passenger side of the axle and extends to the drivers side and attaches under the air filter box. Usually the ball joint on the end goes bad and creates a clunk when turning the steering wheel right or left.
Have someone watch the bar and listen for the clunk while turning the wheels in the driveway. If the ball joint is bad you should hear the clunk when turning the wheel. The track bar runs @ 70.00 and should take about 1 hour to replace in the driveway.
Old 11-21-2009, 03:32 PM
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HI Thanks! The dealer did check the u joints and they replaced them. But they were not sure if it would fix the clunk. Would a bad ball joint clunk all the time? Because the clunk doesn't happen all the time. It happens when turning tightly more so then any other time.
Old 11-21-2009, 04:24 PM
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like bigclubs says get someone to turn steering wheel when parked up the drive... last clunk i had was these two bolts.. could see slight movement when turning steering wheel.. Name:  Image060.jpg
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Old 01-19-2011, 11:48 AM
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Default 96 XJ sport same clunk

I have the same problem i looked under and had the wife turn the wheel it was my track bar that was clunking and moving. My question is, if this is bad would it make the jeep wonder the road? side note i do need an alignment. just did a 3" lift and new tires, but it was doing it before the lift. Please Help
Old 01-19-2011, 01:09 PM
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Originally Posted by darkheart
Hi When I turn left I hear a clunk sound. I recently had the stearing damper replaced and this is when the clunk started. I took it to the dealer and thought it might be the front u joints, so I had them replaced. Still clunking. I'm worried this is a serious problem! Gomez is my white knight! Any ideas on how to save him? Please help! Thanks!
Then don't turn left...unless ur a NASCAR driver! LOL
Old 01-19-2011, 01:21 PM
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Originally Posted by beast96XJ
I have the same problem i looked under and had the wife turn the wheel it was my track bar that was clunking and moving. My question is, if this is bad would it make the jeep wonder the road? side note i do need an alignment. just did a 3" lift and new tires, but it was doing it before the lift. Please Help
Absolutely. The track bar keeps the axle under the Jeep and stable. If it is lose and the axle can move side to side, then you get wandering and possibly death wobble. Get this fixed soon, as losing your track bar while driving down the road would be
Old 01-19-2011, 07:34 PM
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Thanks yea I plan on doing it friday. I have a clunk when I turn to sharp is that the u joints?
Old 01-22-2011, 10:13 AM
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Fixed the track bar what a world of difference
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