SundaysHero

I bought a 98 xj limited and so far have put about 1500 miles on it. The ride has always been floaty like an 85 cadillac. It has 30in all terrains. Just had it aligned and the wheels balanced, but I still get this clunk or metal bang when i hit pot holes or rail road tracks. I thought it might be the shocks so I just pulled them and compressed them. They return back to length smooth and slow. Next I am thinking the springs in the front are shot or it is the leaf springs in the rear which are clearly flat.

If anyone can point me in the right direction it would be much appreciated.

Crazy 8s

You might take a close look at the tie-rod ends and the track bar and the sway bar in the front. If the tie rod ends and/or track bar connections are worn it can make the steering feel sloppy...like an old American old-lady car.

While you look at the steering components from the front have someone else at the steering wheel steering it back and forth (while parked of course). You should b able to see where any slack is at the tierod ends.

Radi

Might look at the exhaust where it passes over the crossmember.

Fred/N0AZZ

Check your exhaust hangers and the engine, transmission mounts.

It sounds like your springs coils and leafs need to be replaced as most all do at that age and a good time for a lift if desired. The major part of a budget full new leaf/coil lift are those 2 items, up to 3".

Bustedback

It's most likely the brake pads rattling when you get the potholes. Go down a bumpy road and listen to the rattle. Now go down the road again with your foot lightly on the brakes and see if the rattling is gone. If the noise is gone you found the problem. The knuckles tend to wear at the points where the brake pads rest and the pads will rattle.

HarleyRob

I had the same problem on front end...clunk! I installed new sway bar bushing's and sway bar end links. Problem solved! Xj had 150k miles

Programbo

As mentioned check all the things people mentioned already. I second (Or third) checking where the exhaust pipe goes over the cross member. The little metal strap that holds the pipe up rusts away alot and the pipe drops and makes the banging sound you describe. Also check the bushingings in the rear sway bar. (They are hard to see unless you go under the back). One of mine disappeared one time and the bar was clanking sometimes