4.5" lift, 35" tires,1.5" wheel spacers, ZJ TRE's (fairly new)

Just got my xj back on the road and I noticed a pop (usually 2 pops on after another) sound coming from the front passenger wheel. It only seems to happen when I first take off after pulling out of my driveway. It won't do it at stoplights. Just seems to do it the first time I drive forward. Also I haven't noticed it unless my steering wheel is turned. Any suggestions on what it could be?? Ball joint or hub?? I've jacked it up and the wheel seems solid (no play vertical) but a little horizontal.

 

Were the axle u-joints nice and tight?

 

 

ill find a good write up and check it out

 

I was thinking the joints on the axle shaft (behind the hub).
I'd double check the tie-rod end and sway bar too.

 

 

and no sway bar as of right now (took a few things off just to rule them out)

 

I'd crawl under and visually inspect the axle u-joints, the grab the axle and see if you can twist it by hand... you shouldn't be able to twist the axle at all by hand. If the u-joints look at all questionable I'd replace them.

 

Double check the shocks, bushings can be bad and the top mount seems prone to rust. If the bushings and mounting spots look good, then make sure the mounting hardware is tight.
Someone else just had loose lug nuts that were making funky sounds, so it wouldn't hurt to check those too.

 

I'm not a fan of lift - I did the 2" spacer lift (spacer and new shocks) on my TJ at around 190k and I feel like it was a bad decision. The Jeep looked a little "cooler" but it seemed like everything wore out a lot faster and caused it to drive poorly.
Maybe the various driveline/steering stuff would have worn out anyway and it was just coincidental - who knows.
When I was looking for an XJ I definitely wanted a stock height vehicle. One I looked at was lifted and the guy selling it recommended finding an alignment shop that specialized in lifted vehicles - definitely a negative on top of a negative.. lol.. (granted the whiney sounding NV3550 was the true deal breaker..)

 

well, sounds like I got some inspecting to do..both of your suggestions are areas I haven't put much time into on my project. I'll check that stuff out asap

 

u joints are solid yah!! But the shock on the other hand have seen better days. Bushings on the bottom are beyond toast. Top side felt solid but I also have some play in the shocks themselves (where the rod and housing meet). Which I assume is bad news bears. I guess I need to get the tape measure out Thanks for the help Pat. But if this goes like the rest of the xj has gone, this won't be the end of it lol. Slow and steady wins the race

 

That would definitely cause a knock or pop when the shock moves. If the top is really loose you might be able to find a sleeve or something to fill the gap. If it's really bad you might be able to weld a heavy duty washer or something like that in.
At least it's a step in the right direction if not a full solution to the problem.

 

the top felt good no play at all, I'm going to go ahead and get some new shocks and see what happens.

 

It wouldn't hurt you to pull the shocks and drive around the block to see if the noise goes away. Just be careful, mmmkay?